Public input on commemorative naming locations sought by city

The City of Ottawa has commenced its public consultation on the potential commemorative naming of seven locations throughout the capital.

The locations, both new and already existing, are as follows:

• A preschool park, located at 175 Third Avenue, Glebe Community Centre, as “Mary Tsai Park”
• An outdoor volleyball court located at Osgoode Village Park, 5701 Philip Street, the “Roger Michels Volleyball Court” 
• The new Minto Mahogany community park, located at 216 Skipper Drive, as “Dr. O.B. Wilson Park”
• The new Minto Mahogany community park, located at 623 Bridgeport Avenue, as “Lt. Col. Roland Ashman Park”
• The Innes Park Woods, located at 3828 Innes Road, as “Victor Cyr Woods”
• A section of the Poole Creek Walkway to the west of Main Street, past the Community Centre, and ending at Johnathon Pack Street, located within Alexander Grove Park, 10 Warner Colpitts Lane, “Betty Hill Walkway”
• A new park at 375 Byron Avenue, as “Crain Park.”

Those interested in submitting written comments regarding one or more of the proposals are asked to complete the following survey to provide input.

Residents can view each proposal online.

Who are they?

Mary Tsai (Ward 17 – Capital)

Mary Tsai has been providing programs, services, and events for the greater Ottawa area. She was the recipient of the 2012 Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Award and has served as Executive Director of the Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Group. Mary’s commitment to community service has garnered the support of this commemorative naming from the Glebe Association, Glebe BIA, MP Yasir Naqvi, and more.

Roger Michels (Ward 20 – Osgoode)

Roger Michels was responsible for creating the volleyball court at Osgoode Village Park in the year 2000 when the Township requested public consultation for its development. Once the court was installed, Mr. Michels volunteered his personal time towards maintaining the court and organizing the summer volleyball league.

Dr. O.B. Wilson (Ward 21 – Rideau-Jock)

Dr. O.B. Wilson was a WWII veteran of the Royal Canadian Air Force who dedicated his life to the field of medicine upon his return from the war. He created the Manotick Medical Centre in 1972, volunteered his time with the Manotick Kiwanis Club, supported the Probus Club of Ottawa-Rideau Valley, and was also a member of the Royal Canadian Legion.

Lt. Col. Roland Ashman (Ward 21 – Rideau-Jock)

Lieutenant-Colonel Ashman was a decorated hero in WWII, receiving several medals of honour. He was a devoted contributor to the community of Manotick as a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, the Board of Trustees of the Police Village of Manotick, the Manotick Library Board, and the Manotick Centennial Committee.

Victor Cyr (Ward 19 – Orleans South-Navan)

Victor Cyr was synonymous with saving that parcel of land on numerous occasions. Having fought to keep the land from being developed in the 1970s, and again in the 1990s with help from Councillor Rainer Bloess, when the city was able to exchange city-owned land for the wooded area so that no further development would be proposed by developers or private business owners.

Betty Hill (Ward 6 – Stittsville)

Former Mayor Betty Hill served the Stittsville and Goulbourn communities for nearly 20 years. She served as Reeve of Richmond, Ontario, and Mayor of Goulbourn Township. Ms. Hill was instrumental in many community initiatives, including bringing municipal water and sewer to Stittsville, a business and industrial park in Goulbourn, and the development of the original Poole Creek pathway.

Mr. Crain  (Ward 15 – Kitchissippi)

Mr. Rolla Law Crain was a prominent businessman in the area that is now Westboro. Mr. Crain was only 18 years old when he started his own printing company in the basement of his family home, which eventually turned into a business large enough to employ hundreds of local men and women. He was renowned for caring greatly for his staff, including a company program called “People Care” that ensured his employees had opportunities to improve their careers and take part in recreational activities. He was also engaged in many charitable work projects and organizations, including high school scholarship programs, the YMCA, the Central Canada Exhibition Association, and the Union Mission.

Comments on the commemorative naming end Saturday, June 24.