Opponents lobbying against a playground planned for Mooney's Bay say they will file an injunction to bring construction on the picturesque property to a halt.
Former city councillor Karin Howard told CTV Ottawa that she hopes the injunction will be filed before construction crews start removing top soil at Mooney's Bay on Wednesday.
"The deal didn't bother to talk to the public about such a significant park and about what other ideas people might want to contribute, " Howard says.
Earlier this month the City of Ottawa announced a partnership with TVO and a private company, Sinking Ship Productions, to build a $2 million dollar playground at Mooney's Bay. The more than 4,600 square meter park is a legacy project that the city says will be completed in time for Canada's 150th birthday.
But opposition to Canada's largest playground has been growing since the announcement. Opponents say they are upset by the process and lack of public consultation, not the playground itself. Construction and demolition began Monday, a day before the first public consultation.
It's kind of like let's inform you about the project and make you feel comfortable about a process we didn’t need you in," Howard says.
Some councillors, too, say they feel uncomfortable with the process. Last week city council voted against a motion by River Ward councillor Riley Brockington to delay construction.
"If we get into these positions with large parks again, whether there's confidential negotiations...there must be a concurrent public information or consultation process," he told CTV last week.
Kids, families and volunteers will be filmed during the construction of the playground for the next season of TVO's the Giver. The city says no confidentiality agreement was in place during the process, but Brockington hopes a situation like this can be avoided in the future.
The first public consultation takes place from 7 pm tp 9 pm at the Riverside United Church, 3191 Riverside Dr.
The Mayor was not available for comment Monday but when asked why construction was allowed to start before any public consultations, his office said the mayor is "fully supportive of the Giver 150 playground project."