Fundraising underway for permanent pathway bridge at Chapman Mills Conservation Area.

OTTAWA – January 16, 2012 – The Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation (RVCF) and our community is participating in the 2012 Molson Community Cheer Contest and needs your vote to build a permanent pathway connection in the Chapman Mills Conservation Area.

The beautiful Chapman Mills Conservation Area on the Rideau River in southern Ottawa is the gateway leading to a 12 km network of lovely forest trails, riverside boardwalks and wildflower/wetland meadows teeming with life.   Many local residents enjoy this natural area on a regular basis through the use of its trails and shelter.

Unfortunately, current use of the trails is limited to warmer weather months due to the need to remove a floating sectional bridge which provides a key connection across an inlet of the Rideau River. The bridge must be removed in the fall and re-installed each spring due to ice damage.  

This is hard on the environment, costly for taxpayers and frustrating for park users since the trail becomes impassable for five months of the year.

“The Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation has undertaken a project to build a 35-metre permanent pedestrian bridge across the inlet,” says Jason Kelly, Chair of the Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation. “This will complete a 12 km outdoor, year round, walking facility jewel in the heart of the burgeoning south Ottawa community.”

“Residents on both sides of the river will be able to enjoy this recreational link with the future pedestrian connections created by the completion of the Strandherd Armstrong Bridge,” advises Deputy Mayor and City Councillor Steve Desroches. “The pathway bridge will provide access to the Chapman Mills Conservation Area in all seasons.”

This new, safe and secure link eliminates the environmental problems of the old bridge, avoids the dangerous temptation for people to try and cross the ice on foot, and opens up a whole new world of close-to-home active outdoor recreation facilities. The new pathway connection will also benefit the tourism industry by providing a key connection within the conservation area network. The RVCF is currently looking at fundraising opportunities to finance this essential project.

However, they need your help.

The RVCF has submitted this project as an entry in the Molson Community Cheer Contest, an online voting contest that will award $50,000 to the winning entry. The chosen project will be selected on a number of criteria including the overall number of votes received up until February 10, 2012.

Please help cheer us on with your online vote for a Permanent Pathway Bridge at Chapman Mills by visiting www.stevedesroches.ca and clicking on the direct link to the RVCF profile on the Community Cheer website. You can also visit the website at http://www.ourcommunitycheer.com.  

Your support is needed and appreciated.

This bridge will provide an essential link within the Chapman Mills Conservation Area which is celebrating its 10^th anniversary this year. Help us complete the loop and bring this permanent bridge structure into our community.

Example of what future bridge might look like.