(Village Square Park located at Stittsville Main and Abbott Streets in Stittsville’s core.)
How did the playground and buildings come to be at Village Square Park in Stittsville? Nevada tickets were often sold for fundraising endeavours in Stittsville in the 90’s. The Goulbourn Township Historical Society had an initiative that they wanted to see come to fruition. So, they reached out to Bradley’s Your Independent Grocer in 1996 to form a partnership to do just that – sell Nevada tickets to pay for their idea. The Historical Society wanted to use the money to finance development of a heritage park at the Village Square. The development was to be built as a tribute to the importance of the railway’s influence on Stittsville and its prosperity.
The Goulbourn Township Council (Stittsville was not part of Ottawa until amalgamation in 2001) was approached with the idea and an agreement was arranged. The idea – the Historical Society wanted to construct a replica water tower, playground equipment and train station in the centre of the village. The Township agreed to pay all of the construction costs for the project. The costs would amount to $65,000. The catch – the Historical Society had to pay all of the monies back to the Township. And that they did!
Move to 2020 and the city wants to refurbish the playground equipment and play area at Stittsville Main and Abbott streets. The equipment does not meet today’s accessibility standards and is nearing the end of its many years of fun.
For that reason, the City is seeking your ideas for the equipment replacement and landscaping in the play area. This project will take place in 2021.
The City has said, “Although the playground renewal will mean the loss of the old play structures, it is an opportunity for the community to increase play within the park with new play structures and other elements. The redesign will maintain the rail theme of the park“.
Take the survey to share your feedback at Engage Ottawa.