Centennial Garden
Restoring a Village landmark. Together.
Centennial Garden Restoration Update - June 2026
As summer approaches, the Centennial Garden restoration is entering its final pre-construction phase. The contractor continues to work with CSW Landscape Architects and the City to finalize the construction schedule and site logistics, with work expected to begin as the school year concludes. Neighbours may begin to see activity on site shortly, including early site preparation and fencing.
A highlight of the past month was the community groundbreaking ceremony held on May 22, hosted by Councillor Rawlson King's office at the Village Green. It was wonderful to see so many neighbours, supporters, community partners, and City representatives come together to mark this milestone after more than a decade of community-led effort, consultation, fundraising, and planning.
Designed by Humphrey Carver in 1967 to mark Canada’s centennial, the Centennial Garden has long been part of the daily life of the Village. There is something especially meaningful about seeing this shared green space renewed during Rockcliffe Park’s own centennial year.
The Foundation remains actively engaged with the City and project partners to help ensure the restoration reflects the community's vision while demonstrating careful stewardship of donated and public funds. We are deeply grateful for the enthusiasm, encouragement, and ongoing support of our neighbours and community partners, and we look forward to sharing further updates as work gets underway.
Background:
Last June’s community consultations, including Councillor King’s in-person session and the City’s online survey with nearly 300 participants, showed strong support for a restoration that is accessible, resilient, and faithful to the Garden’s original design, while renewing it for generations to come.
Based on this feedback, the City asked CSW Landscape Architects in July to proceed with detailed design drawings and tender documents. This work was completed in February, and the full tender package was carefully reviewed and approved by both the City of Ottawa and the Rockcliffe Park Foundation.
Following these approvals, qualified contractors were invited to submit bids through a process managed by CSW, including a coordinated site visit with the City. After review by both the City and CSW, a successful bidder was selected: Exel Contracting Inc.
See the Concept Drawings for the Centennial Garden restoration here, prepared by CSW Landscape Architects.
This restoration builds on more than a decade of neighbour-led efforts and collaboration. Designed by Humphrey Carver in 1967 to mark Canada’s centennial, the Centennial Garden was created as a place of calm and community. That kind of space matters. Neighbours walking their dogs. Children on their way to school. Sometimes the littlest ones sitting cross-legged in outdoor class or discovering nature among the plantings. That’s community, and that’s what shared greenspaces like this give us.
The Foundation is grateful for the leadership of the Centennial Garden Revitalization Committee, with:
Honourary Chairs: Adrian Burns, Gordon Cudney, and Peter Nicholson
Chair: Marilyn Collette
The Rockcliffe Park Foundation and the Rockcliffe Park Residents Association (RPRA), alongside City planners, the Councillor’s office, and the Centennial Garden Revitalization Committee, work together as part of the City’s Centennial Garden Working Group in collaboration and shared excitement for what this restoration will bring to the Village, now and for generations to come.
What’s Coming
The renewed Garden will include (see link below for the concept drawings):
Restored stonework
Improved accessibility and climate resilience
New plantings (in the fall) and benches
An additional boulder recognizing the creation of Nunavut
The Foundation is proud to support this thoughtful, neighbour-led renewal of a much-loved greenspace and historic garden - a restoration that honours the past and invests in the future.
Greenspaces like this don’t just happen. They’re sustained by neighbours who care. Thank you to everyone who’s played a part so far - and to those helping shape what comes next.
This community project is made possible through partnership with the City of Ottawa.
The Foundation provides contractual and financial oversight of the project.
