‘Ottawa’ Park Users Exercise Their Right to Protest
Paddlers, cross-country skiers and people who just like to work out were among those protesting a hastily announced plan to raze a Mooney’s Bay fitness park to build Canada’s largest playground.
Doing chin-ups and swinging on the parallel bars at the Sue Holloway Fitness Park Wednesday evening, demonstrators said again and again that it’s a good idea in the wrong place.
They argued that building the $2-million, 4,600-square-metre playground at Mooney’s Bay Park opposite the Ottawa Canoe Club – without public consultation — will scar the waterfront, cause problems with storm water at the foot of a hill built on a former garbage dump and displace popular charity events.
Organizer Liz Elton called on neighbours and park users to lobby city hall, the National Capital Commission – which owns the land – and Toronto-based Sinking Ships Entertainment and its sponsors to change the location of the playground.