Support the Rideau River Kiosk Project

The Overbrook Community Association (OCA) is organizing this fundraising effort. A target of $6,500 is being sought from the general public to help, in part, to fund this project for construction in the spring 2024.

This OCA kiosk project involves the installation of information kiosks and a bicycle parking rack all set in a small landscaped area near the Adàwe Crossing on the east side of the river in Overbrook. The six kiosk panels will present bilingual information on the Rideau River and Overbrook with a focus on First Nations and Overbrook history and heritage, the natural environment of the river, and planning and protection of the waterway. In 2022 Overbrook celebrated its 100 year anniversary as a recognized municipal village and in 2024 itwill be the 150th anniversary of the construction of the first Hurdman’s Bridge to Overbrook. Both of these important community milestones will be highlighted plus much more.

The location of this kiosk project is shown below, along the river pathway south of the Rideau Sports Centre on Donald Street. It will be at two existing benches that overlook the small falls.

After several years of on-going work the OCA has conditional federal agreement for this project; it will be located on lands of the National Capital Commission. In kind assistance has to date also been provided by the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, NAK Design Strategies (landscape architects) and others. An estimate total project cost is around $47,000 with $21,000 of that already raised including a $6,000 Heritage Grant and a $5,800 Community Environmental Grant both from the City of Ottawa. The project component cost estimates (labour and materials) are:

I - Site works - $3,000 for subgrade preparation, topsoil and seeding

II - Surface materials - $8,400 for stone dust pathway surfaces and some concrete support pads

III - Site Furnishing - $31,500 for interpretative kiosk stands and display panels, armourstone and bike rack

IV - Planting - $3,500 for shrubs, perennials and trees

Additional fund solicitation efforts will be made with the local business community and other grant opportunities. If you are donating consider also using the “share button” to let your friends and neighbours know about this community project and seek their support too. Thanks for your help!

Donnez aujourd’hui, nous avons besoin de votre aide. On vous remercie pour votre don.

Here is an additional visualization of the kiosk installation (looking east).

Visualization Creator: Ben Barocsi, [email redacted]