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Ottawa SUP Proposal – 2024-OCT

Request for OOECA support of Ottawa SUP proposal (Laura Zak, October 2024)

We are seeking OOECA support for a proposal to operate a seasonal paddlecraft rental and lesson service at an existing Rideau River access park in the City of Ottawa.

We are suggesting either Brantwood, Springhurst or Windsor parks as potential locations, giving walkable access of under ½ hour to a population of over 28,000 in Old Ottawa East, Old Ottawa South, and The Glebe.

Ottawa SUP would provide a seasonal rental and lesson paddlecraft operation at the selected park, with experienced staff to provide instruction, safety, and oversight and a small storage container, small kayak rack, a 10 x 10 tent on a small footprint and all equipment. The service is designed to have minimal impact on the park, on the quiet enjoyment of the neighbourhood, or on the waterfront environment and has been enthusiastically supported by communities where we have operated in the past.

Ottawa Stand Up Paddle (Ottawa SUP) has been a local family business making paddling available to Ottawa residents for more than a decade. As part of a larger long standing family business, we have operated successful paddling rental and lesson locations in Lakefield, Peterborough, Campbellford, Constance Bay, and at the Linda Thom Park, Billings Bridge, Ottawa on the Rideau River.  For the past summer, Ottawa SUP has offered rental and lessons on a rotating basis in Ottawa.

Currently, it is difficult for most Ottawa residents to access getting on the water where they live because there are only four fixed location waterfront paddlecraft rental services in all of the city of Ottawa.

Ottawa SUP is asking the City of Ottawa to provide Ottawa SUP with a permit by the General Manager under Parks and Facilities (By-law No. 2004-276) to offer this service, at no cost to the City of Ottawa. Our proposal and executive summary are available to view or download at https://www.ottawasup.ca/proposal.

I look forward to hearing back from you at your earliest opportunity and please do not hesitate to contact me in the meantime should you require any further information on our proposal. We deeply appreciate you considering providing us with a Letter of Support (sample below or write your own) or an email or call expressing your thoughts. 

Laura Zak, Owner/Operator

info@ottawasup.ca, http://www.ottawasup.ca/

Ottawa SUP logo

Sample Ottawa SUP Letter of Support

(please fill out or edit as required and return to Ottawa SUP by email info@ottawasup.ca)

Date:

RE: Proposal for paddle rental service in underserviced area of Rideau River

Dear City of Ottawa:

I am writing this in support of the Proposal by Ottawa SUP for paddle rental service on the Rideau River. Currently the river north of the Hog’s Back has no service of this kind.

My name is [your name]  and I am [briefly state who you are and why your support is relevant. For example: “I live in the proposed neighbourhoods and I or someone I know would use the services if provided.” OR “As an Ottawa resident, I believe a service of this type supports healthy 15 minute neighbourhoods.” OR As an Ottawa resident, I believe having access onto the water of the Rideau River close to home is an important right for Ottawa residents.”]

I support this Proposal because:

  1. Currently, it is difficult for most Ottawa residents to access getting on the water where they live because there are only four fixed location waterfront paddlecraft rental services in all of the city of Ottawa. Ottawa SUP has been helping Ottawa residents get on the water for about a decade. Unless a permit is issued, we will lose this valuable service, further restricting our ability to get on the water where we live.
  2. The proposal will give me or others access to get on the Rideau River with under ½ hour walk. Brantwood, Springhurst or Windsor parks are close to water, with easy access, a calm, safe, scenic waterway, with lots of available parking.
  3. The service would have low environmental impact on the park or waterway and would fit unobtrusively and quietly into the park and neighbourhood.
  4. Ottawa SUP Staff will be on site at all times for paddling instruction, safety instruction, knowledge of waterway, oversight of paddlers activities, availability in emergency, and to ensure the service is a good neighbour at all times
  5. The proposal addresses the Big Policy Moves of the City of Ottawa’s New Official Plan and supports 15 minute neighbourhoods.

I fully support this application for a permit and believe the service being proposed would be an asset to the City, providing access for 28,000 residents along the Rideau River north of the Hog’s Back.

If you have questions about this letter of support, you can contact me at [email/phone]

Sincerely,

Your name and signature (if printed)