top of page

City seeking public input on commemorative naming proposals

From the City of Ottawa








Ottawa – The City is conducting public consultation on proposals to name:

· A preschool park, located at 175 Third Avenue, Glebe Community Centre, “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, “Dr. O.B. Wilson Park”

· The new Minto Mahogany community park, located at 623 Bridgeport Avenue, “Lt. Col. Roland Ashman Park”

· The Innes Park Woods, located at 3828 Innes Road, “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, located at 375 Byron Avenue, “Crain Park”.

Mary Tsai Park (Ward 17 – Capital)

In recognition of extensive community service, the City has been asked to name a preschool park, located at 175 Third Avenue, Glebe Community Centre, “Mary Tsai Park”. 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 Volleyball Court (Ward 20 – Osgoode)

In recognition of extensive community service, the City has been asked to name the outdoor volleyball court located at Osgoode Village Park, 5701 Philip Street, the “Roger Michels Volleyball Court”. Roger Michels was responsible for the creation of the volleyball court at Osgoode Village Park in the year 2000 when the Township requested public consultation for the development of the park. 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 Park (Ward 21 – Rideau-Jock)

In recognition of extensive community service, the City has been asked to name a new park in the Minto Mahogany community, located at 216 Skipper Drive, “Dr. O.B. Wilson Park”. 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 Park (Ward 21 – Rideau-Jock)

In recognition of demonstrated excellence, the City has been asked to name a new park in the Minto Mahogany community, located at 623 Bridgeport Avenue, “Lt. Col. Roland Ashman Park”. Lieutenant-Colonel Ashman was a decorated was hero in WWII, receiving several medals of honour. He was a devoted contributor to the community of Manotick, as a member of Royal Canadian Legion, the Board of Trustees of the Police Village of Manotick, the Manotick Library Board, and the Manotick Centennial Committee.

Victor Cyr Woods (Ward 19 – Orleans South-Navan)

In recognition of demonstrated excellence, the City has been asked to name the Innes Park Woods, located at 3828 Innes Road, “Victor Cyr Woods”. 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 Walkway (Ward 6 – Stittsville)

In recognition of demonstrated excellence, the City has been asked to name a section of the Poole Creek Walkway located within Alexander Grove Park, located at 10 Warner Colpitts Lane, “Betty Hill Walkway”. Former Mayor Betty Hill served the Stittsville and Goulbourn community 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.

Crain Park (Ward 15 – Kitchissippi)

In recognition of the historical significance to Ottawa, the City has been asked to name a new park, located at 375 Byron Avenue, “Crain Park”. 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.

If you would like to submit written comments regarding one or more of the proposals, please complete the following survey to provide your input. Comments must be received no later than Saturday, June 24, 2023.

View each proposal online at ottawa.ca.

For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401). You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

bottom of page