Category: Front Page

New Ed Neighbourhood Sale takes place Sept 20

Posted on by Cindy Parkanyi

The New Edinburgh Neighbourhood Sale will take place this year on Saturday, September 20 from 8:00 am until 12:00 pm.  Homeowners, condominium groups, religious congregations, businesses, non-profit organizations and artists are encouraged to hold sales on private property throughout New Edinburgh.

The area around the Fieldhouse will be a busy sales centre since the weekly market coincides with the neighbourhood sale.  The Fieldhouse washrooms and water fountain will be open for everyone’s convenience.

Neighbourhood sale vendors are encouraged to sell from private lands in front of their own homes.  Unlike past years, the CCC will not be renting vendor spaces on the lawn of the New Edinburgh Park Fieldhouse to enable those without public facing properties to participate.

Non-resident vendors and resident vendors without public facing properties are encouraged to sell from the public lands around the Stanley Avenue bend to create a cluster of activity, in cooperation with the Beechwood Market’s vendors.  Please note that market vendors have a permit for the use of the triangular east lawn bounded by the Fieldhouse, the asphalt multi-use path and the riverside pedestrian path.  All vendors must respect any applicable bylaws and are wholly liable for any infractions.

The Crichton Community Council (CCC) gratefully collects donations to support neighbourhood events and for the purchase of equipment.  Donations of 10 per cent of sale profits earned by neighbourhood vendors is suggested.  Financial contributions can be made by depositing a cheque in the mailbox near the front door of the Fieldhouse, or online using this link: https://square.link/u/I1bTGw6g

4th Annual Chief Pinesi Day on 1 July 2025

Posted on by Cindy Parkanyi

For the fourth year running, New Edinburgh Park will be the site of the July 1st annual event to honour the Algonquin Anishinabe heritage of the area. Chief Constant Pinesi was the last prominent Algonquin Chief to have hunting grounds in Ottawa – at Rideau and Chaudière Falls.

The day’s festivities will begin at 9 am with the Sacred Fire ceremony, led by the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation. There will also be the opportunity to take a land tour along parts of the revitalized Chief Pinesi Trail, which was an ancient (approximately 8,000 years old) indigenous portage trail between the Ottawa and Rideau rivers. The trail is marked by signs created by Kitigan Zibi Anishanbeg artist Simon Brascoupé.

Attendees will greet an intrepid group of paddlers arriving around 12:30 pm along the shores of the Rideau River after having paddled since June 24th, retracing one of Chief Pinesi’s routes from Deep River. The group will include descendants of Chief Pinesi and other indigenous and non-indigenous participants.  

A documentary film of last year’s journey from Chief Pinesi’s summering place at Oka, along the Ottawa River to his traditional hunting grounds in Ottawa is in production. Watch the trailer to learn more.

At the Fieldhouse there will be welcoming ceremonies led by the traditional and council leadership of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation (AOPFN) including Kokom Jane Chartrand, Chief Greg Sarazin, Wendy Jocko and Councillor Merv Sarazin and local dignitaires. The paddlers will participate in a roundtable to share their thoughts on the journey, followed by the elder’s closing prayer at 3 pm to complete the day’s events.

NCC proposes Sussex development

Posted on by Cindy Parkanyi

The NCC has launched consultations regarding its plans to update its National Capital Core Area Plan. For New Edinburgh residents and others, one proposal within the plan may be of particular interest.

The Sussex Blocks “opportunity” within the plan proposes to “redevelop the urban blocks to support the Rideau Hall tourist anchor, with a possible new public park and mid-rise, mixed-use buildings in an architectural style faithful to New Edinburgh’s historic neighbourhood character,” according to the NCC.

A map in the plan shows the Sussex Blocks would run between Stanley Avenue and MacKay Street, and from Sussex Drive to Thomas Street. Photo renderings in an NCC presentation show four-storey buildings in a traditional style of architecture.

The three blocks of land are owned by the NCC and are currently zoned for development (and no longer designated for future embassies due to the security risk). The NCC would have full control over the design and architect for the development. Note that the NCC states that: “Based on public participation and feedback, detailed plans and recommendations will be developed for each sector to guide future development.”

The full core area sector plan with details on each of the sectors (including the one discussed here) is also available at National Capital Core Area Plan.

Consultations and comments

New Edinburgh Community Alliance (NECA) requested a full consultation with the entire community with the NCC on the Sussex Blocks proposal. A public meeting took place on Thursday, March 6, from 7 to 8:30 pm at St Bartholomew’s parish hall, offering an initial opportunity to provide feedback on this important development within New Edinburgh.

  • NECA’s preliminary comments to the NCC can be found here.
  • NCC’s response can be found here.
  • Additional comments were collected during the May 20 NECA Board meeting and the summary provided to the NCC can be found here.
  • NCC’s response to summary can be found here.

A group of concerned area residents have also created a petition to oppose the Sussex Blocks development proposal.

NCC contacts:
– consultations@ncc-ccn.ca
– tobi.nussbaum@ncc-ccn.ca

Elected officials:
– rawlson.king@ottawa.ca
– mona.fortier@parl.gc.ca
– mark.sutcliffe@ottawa.ca

News articles:

Chief Pinesi Day – July 1, 2024

Posted on by Cindy Parkanyi
Poster for Chief Pinesi Day 2024

Kichi Sibi Trails, in concert with NECA and the Crichton Community Council, is once again coordinating the July 1st Chief Pinesi Day event in New Edinburgh Park (in and around the Fieldhouse) to honour Algonquin Anishinabe presence in the area. If you’re interested in volunteering opportunities please contact: Kischi Sibi Trails

This year will be a bit different from previous years. Chief Pinesi Day will be the culmination of the Oka to Ottawa: Pinesi Paddle starting on 25 June. Over 40 paddlers, descendants of Chief Pinesi, Algonquins, other indigenous people and settlers will reach Governor Bay below Rideau Hall about 11 AM, likely with members of the Governor General’s Foot Guards.

The Sacred Fire will begin at 8 led by Doug Comegan. The program will be led by the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation and will feature drumming, singing and dancing by the Spirit Wolf Singers. Councillor Merv Sarazin will MC; Opening prayers will be offered by Kokom Jane Chartrand.

In the morning, attendees can take a land tour along parts of the revitalized Chief Pinesi Portage Trails, which were ancient (approximately 8,000 years old) indigenous portage trails between the Ottawa and Rideau rivers. The trail is marked by signs created by Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg artist Simon Brascoupé.

Want to know more about Chief Pinesi and the portage trail? Visit the Kichi Sibi Trails website.