A PLACE WORTH SAVING KILMORIE 21 WITHROW AVENUE Sky View • Kilmorie and the 2 acre property surrounding it is a landmark in the City View/Merivale Community • It was built in the 1840's along what was then the newly developing Merivale farming corridor • This beautiful heritage home is currently awaiting the development of an elite housing development. The developer has given the community until April 15th, 2020 to purchase this property before he starts construction Lack of Parkland • In 1913 City View was subdivided into streets & 25 foot lots for market gardeners and was called St. Claire Gardens. There were no requirements at that time to provide infrastructure or parkland. Streets were laid out in the early 20th century grid pattern • When home construction started in the 1940’s and 1950’s, each home was built on 4 of these 25 foot lots. Builders were required to construct the roads and dig drainage ditches • It was considered an unplanned community. In fact, our whole community still has rural drainage with ditches and the lack of storm sewers continues to cause drainage and flooding issues • Although park allocation is now mandated by the City of Ottawa and the Ontario Government, our Community has always been advised that there is no green space available to rectify this anomaly • This large green space with mature trees - has become available. It is our last opportunity to preserve some much needed green space. The History of 21 Withrow Ave • The Merivale district was known as the "Back Bush" because of the bush terrain that enveloped it. This area is where many Irish immigrants settled and established productive farms with fine farm houses. Many of our founding families were settlers here (Hoopers, Nesbitts, Boyd's, Sullivans, Scott's...) • 21 Withrow Ave was one of the original farms along the Merivale Corridor • The house was built by Archibald Scott for his brother William Scott • This beautiful house was built with locally quarried stone in 1842 • There are many architectural features that are specific to this time period • The Scott family lived here until the early 1900's when they sold the farm to William Wilfred Campbell who named it "Kilmorie " The History continued... • William Wilfred Campbell was a renowned Confederation poet. He was also hired by the public service in 1893 to the Department of Militia and Defence • Campbell was close friends with poets Archibald Lampman and Duncan Campbell Scott and with William Lyon Mackenzie King who was the Prime Minister in the 1920’s – 1940’s • His friend Mackenzie King bought his cemetery plot when Campbell died of pneumonia in 1918 • The Campbell family remained at the property until it was sold to Dr. Roger, a well known cardiologist. He lived at 21 Withrow Ave for over 65 years, until his death in 2015 Famous Resident Confederation Poet • You may recognize one of William Wilfred Campbell’s poems, Indian Summer: "Along the line of smoky hills The crimson forest stands, And all the day the blue-jay calls Throughout the autumn lands..." • From Kilmorie he also wrote the poem “Down the Merivale Road." This poem is on a plaque along the Poets’ Pathway at Colonnade Road, Nepean Ontario. A Part of Canadian History • Campbell wrote a heart warming poem in memory of Henry Albert Harper who died trying to save Bessie Blair at a Skating Party • Campbell was present at the party with future Prime Minister Mackenzie King • Today, the statue of Sir Galahad that welcomes you to Parliament Hill, actually tells the touching but heartbreaking story of Harper’s heroism and sacrifice • The Statue is the only non-political statue at Parliament Hill • Campbell’s poem – A Canadian Galahad - captures in words what the statue says in its structure. The Magic of Kilmorie • This is a magical space that has created many memories for the families in the neighborhood. Children collected berries and played, families spent beautiful evenings here. The trees and animals are a part of the community • Our community, City View, is determined to save this property. We envision it as a National Arts and Culture Community Center that has the potential to attract visitors and artists from around Canada. It will also fulfill the requirement for the much needed green space in the community Local News Stories • The City View Community Association and Poet’s Pathway worked closely with the City of Ottawa to have Kilmorie declared as a Heritage House. • We are also keenly aware of the funding opportunities that will help 21 Withrow carry on its legacy. • However grants can be applied for only once the property has been purchased from the current resident. • The association has been creating fundraising opportunities, however there is a need for private funding from an organization that cares about green spaces and community welfare. • If a local levy is approved by the community this will save Kilmorie. City of Ottawa Green Space Policies • The City prides itself on its policies for open space and parkland. It spends millions of dollars in constructing and maintaining parkettes, community and district parks, playing fields etc. in some communities. Most areas in Ottawa also have easy access to other recreational facilities – pathways, cycle paths, sports fields, natural lands, Green Belt or NCC land • The City of Ottawa Greenspace Master Plan 3.2.1. states ”The City’s Official Plan sets a target of 4.0 ha of total greenspace for every 1,000 residents and this has been achieved throughout most of the urban area.” (8 to 10% of developable land area) • And yet, our community has none of these. We are now sandwiched between heavy commercial areas (Merivale Road) and heavy traffic roads (Baseline Road, Woodroffe Avenue, and Meadowlands Drive). Baseline has now been approved as a “Transit Intensive Corridor”and the Clyde Triangle is set to become another commercial development. These traffic levels have caused increased pollution, noise and cut-through traffic for us • The open space we once enjoyed on the Frank Ryan farm has been reconstructed and paved over by Algonquin College. Both of our elementary schools have closed. The Baseball Park at the Nepean Museum is reserved all year exclusively for the East Nepean Little League The Possibilities at KILMORIE are Limitless • Arts and Culture Center • Community Center • Center for Visual Arts • Family/Children's Play Area • Poets and Writers retreat • Display and Performance • Horticultural Showcase • School Trips • Outdoor Theatre • Music Groups • Shakespeare in the Park • Wellness Center • Yoga/Tai Chi • Seniors Drop In Centre • Wedding/Party Venue • Reconciliation Centre Save the ecological balance that this property helps to give to City View. People and nature coming together. Ideas and projects become limitless! The Children are Our Future • There is always need for a space that helps our children grow to their maximum potential • A creative open space that introduces children to different aspects and careers and helps them broaden their horizon • Music, Art, History, Botany, Architecture and so much more come together in one location at 21 Withrow to give children a beautiful foundation for the future. Community Benefits Children/Senior Play Park Passive Parkland Small/Medium Flowers, trees, benches, come sit A place where seniors and Conference Rooms and watch and feel the natural children can play. A place Have your meetings in quiet small wonders all around this beautiful where anyone can go just to to medium private conference property. Minutes from the busy relax and get rid of everyday rooms. hustle and bustle of Merivale Rd. stress. What has been done before? The Al Purdy A-frame Cash for Parks Piling Association Poets Retreat up in City's Wards Old Grant School The A-frame was built on Roblin Lake in 1957 On Dec 31st 2016 the city councillors found The old Grant Alternative School in by the late Al Purdy, one of Canada’s they had $11.2 million at their discretion to Ottawa's west end was bought by the greatest poets, and his wife, Eurithe. Thanks to buy new parkland etc.. Two new park City in 2010 and the buildings and the the generosity of Eurithe Purdy and donors planners have been hired. In Somerset from across Canada, the A-frame was land were sold to the Centre ward a lack of available parkland has the multiservices francophonè de l'Ouest acquired in 2012 by the Al Purdy A-frame Councilor "looking for opportunities for (CFMO) for $1. This is a French- Association, a national non-profit organization language community centre. Millions with a mandate to promote Canadian purchases". City View has the same have been invested into this project. literature and to preserve the home as a problem but we have found our land. retreat for future generations of Canadian http://www.pressreader.com/canada/ http:/ottawacitizen.com/news/local- writers. news/cash-for-parks-piling-up-in-citys- ottawa- http://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/late- wards citizen/20160616/281535110274363 poet-al-purdys-home-a-retreat-for-writers- once-again How this helps Ottawa • There are currently only 15 Major parks listed for the the region of Ottawa and this list includes those in Gatineau, Quebec • This Arts & Culture Park will be one of the first of its kind in Ottawa and will be a positive step towards: • Preserving Heritage • Promoting Arts & Culture in the city Why Private Partnership and Community will help • Kilmorie is located one block away from the bustling Merivale Road which is a shopper’s paradise and a dream for foodies; but it misses that touch of nature from many years ago • With the help of a private partner, or the Community itself, Merivale Road will have a little oasis, a beautiful heritage property.