Community blooms along an Orleans Bike Path
It’s a garden where community is blooming, thanks to some senior visionaries wanting to make a difference.
"This has become a crossroads where the community meets the seniors. To us that’s the purpose," said Louise Lariviere.
Lariviere began renting at Villa Bruyere 10 years ago. She and her husband loved the facility, but missed connecting with their former neighbours. So, the couple got to thinking.
"How can we, as a couple, encourage people to interact with the surrounding community? So, we decided to do this garden," said Lariviere.
Initially, Lariviere said the City of Ottawa frowned upon its land being used.
However, after the transformation of the landscape, all were delighted. That enthusiasm continues to be shared by everyone using the flower-lined bike path near Orleans Boulevard.
Flowers line the bike path near Orleans Boulevard.(Joel Haslam/CTV News Ottawa
"A medical doctor from the (University of Ottawa) Heart Institute that comes every day cycles to work. She told us when she comes here in the morning it gives her strength," Lariviere said.
"So this is the lover’s lane and part of the lover’s lane is the enchanted forest," said a smiling Lariviere, while touring me through the forest.
The forest is an exciting draw for neighbourhood children. It’s a place to play, imagine and feel free.
"Especially during the pandemic. It was a moment of joy in this moment of hardship," said Lariviere.
There are actually several gardens here and several gardeners. They’re planting seeds of hope and beauty for their community.
There used to be a pile of rubbish on one section of the path, but now it’s transformed, thanks to Claudette and Albert Potvin.
"We thought the beauty of flowers would bring happiness to the elderly people here," said Claudette.
"Flowers always bring joy. A little bit of happiness here and there along the path, I think that’s OK," she said.
"And it gives us some hope for the future," said her husband Albert.
Albert and Claudette Potvin check out the blooming community garden along an Orleans bike path. (Joel Haslam/CTV News Ottawa)
A woman who planted another garden along the path, years ago, recently broke her hip.
So, resident Claude St. Cyr has kept things blooming, while continuing her traditions of kindness.
"If she saw an elderly person in a wheelchair, she’d pick a couple of flowers and give them to that person. You wouldn’t believe the reception it got from those people," said St. Cyr.
Louise Lariviere and others pay for the plants, water them, and help with the gardens’ designs, but a professional gardener does much of the heavy lifting.
"We have the audacity to do it but not the mobility," said Lariviere with a smile.
And for that audacity, a community of cyclists, walkers, runners and dog walkers, says 'thanks' to Lariviere and her happy gardeners.
"From a seed that we planted, a beautiful, beautiful community emerged."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.'s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease's progression.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
B.C. man fighting for refund after finding someone living at Whistler vacation rental
Edwin Mostered spent thousands of dollars booking a vacation home in Whistler, B.C., for a group skiing trip earlier this year – or so he thought.
Avs forward Valeri Nichushkin suspended at least six months
Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin was suspended for at least six months without pay and placed in Stage 3 of the league's player assistance program.
Collapsed Baltimore bridge span comes down with a boom after crews set off chain of explosives
Crews conducted a controlled demolition Monday to break down the largest remaining span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Security video caught admitted serial killer disposing of bodies in Winnipeg garbage bins
Security video caught admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki on multiple late-night outings, disposing of body parts in nearby garbage bins and dumpsters in the middle of the night.
Mortgage companies could intensify the next recession, U.S. officials warn
U.S. officials worry the next recession could be intensified by a cascading series of failures in the mortgage industry caused by crashing home prices, frozen financial markets and soaring delinquencies.