Background

• Pre-amalgamation, the former City of Nepean completed a Needs Assessment and Concept Plan for Beryl Gaffney Park (April, 1999, Anne Robinson & Associates and Corush, Sunderland, Wright Landscape Architects)

  • Beryl Gaffney Park Needs Assessment and Master Plan Executive Summary

  • Beryl Gaffney Park Needs Assessment and Master Plan Chapter 1

  • Beryl Gaffney Park Needs Assessment and Master Plan Chapter 2

  • Beryl Gaffney Park Needs Assessment and Master Plan Chapter 3

  • Beryl Gaffney Park Needs Assessment and Master Plan Chapter 4

  • Beryl Gaffney Park Needs Assessment and Master Plan Chapter 5 

  • Beryl Gaffney Park Needs Assessment and Master Plan Chapter 6​

  • Beryl Gaffney Park Needs Assessment and Master Plan Appendix G
     

• On July 11, 2006 Council directed staff to finalize negotiations and implement agreements for the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) to construct a new headquarters facility within Beryl Gaffney (BG) Park. Read the Council Report.
   

• In March, 2008, Kevin Wherry, Senior Planner, submitted a report to Community and Protective Services Committee, including an updated BG Park Master Plan and forecasted development schedule for priority construction and action. The only change to the original 1999 Master Plan was the addition of a softball field.  
   

• The 2008-2020 expenditure priorities included: 

  • Signage/trails and washroom/ septic disposal fields, wells ($525K)

  • Northern group picnic area, landscaping, electrical, site furnishings ($1.325M)

  • Footbridge & Trails ($245K)

  • Lookouts ($300K)

  • Small boat docks (195K)​

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• Ten years later, on July 5, 2018, the City hosted an Open House seeking input and ‘any new ideas that would improve the plan…’ Manotick Culture, Parks and Recreation Association applauded the City’s commitment to the Beryl Gaffney Master Park Plan; suggested potential updates to the Plan; and recommended several immediate priorities as outlined in the attached document. Read the 2018 Community Consultation Submission.
   

• June 24, 2019 the City held another Public Meeting and put forward two proposed actions:

  • Buy adjacent land to create a fenced, off-leash dog park area (adjacent to Rideau Valley Drive) - $400,000

  • Install a traffic light and parking lot off Prince of Wales, across from Capital Memorial Gardens - $600,000.

• ​July 19, 2019, the following letter was submitted to the Manotick Messenger
   

• August 30, 2019, MCPRA provided the following input, suggesting that the City work the community to leverage existing funds for the park, construct a foot bridge in proximity to the rock crossing (accessibility issue), construct the Picnic Area and Adventure Playground as immediate priorities.  Further that the $400K NOT be taken from the Park Development budget but from the City’s park acquisition funds. 
   

• In August 2019 the City purchased an adjacent parcel, 1.695 ha, 3931
  Rideau Valley Drive, for about $375,000.
   

• On July 24, 2020 MCPRA became aware that the City was soliciting input on a proposed design for a Fenced 1 ha (2.47 acre), Off-Leash Dog Park and a modest Picnic Area (60m x 25m), at an estimated cost of $600,000-800,000.  Comments due by August 7, 2020. 
   

• Further, staff clarified that the current Off-Leash Dog Designations for both Beryl Gaffney Park and David Bartlett Park (35 acres) would remain for now and the future.
   

• MCPRA submitted the following comments to the City regarding the proposed Off-Leash Dog Park.
   

• The attached article was submitted to the Manotick Messenger.
   

• A Manotick Messenger article of September 11, 2020, indicated that the Fenced Dog Park initiative was ‘OFF the table’ and further, the acquisition funds for the 1.695 ha would come from a citywide cash-in-lieu account, and not the Beryl Gaffney Development Fund.
   

• In October 2020, MCPRA suggested that a Task Force be created of representatives from a broad group of stakeholder groups, to refresh the Master Plan and create a 10-year Park Development Schedule.