Centennial Garden
Part of Canadian history, part of Village history
November 2026 | Restoration Update
After more than a decade of neighbour-led effort, consultation, fundraising and planning, the restored Centennial Garden is once again open for everyone to enjoy. The stonework has been restored, new plantings and sod are in place, and a new accessible path from Springfield Road welcomes visitors into the Village Green. The construction fencing is down and new benches are expected later this fall.
As Rockcliffe Park's centennial year draws to a close, the renewal of this much-loved greenspace is a particularly fitting community project. Created in 1967 to mark Canada's 100th birthday, the Garden has been restored in 2026, Rockcliffe Park's own centennial year.
A Garden with a Story to Tell
Tucked into the Village Green, the Centennial Garden is much more than a circle of stone. Designed by renowned Canadian landscape architect and Rockcliffe resident Humphrey Carver, it was constructed in 1967 to commemorate Canada's centennial. Nearly sixty years later, it remains a place to pause, gather, explore and enjoy nature. Neighbours walking their dogs, children on their way to school, friends stopping for a chat, or someone simply taking a quiet moment to enjoy the surroundings. The restoration honours Carver's original design while making the Garden more accessible, resilient and welcoming for generations to come.
Did You know: why are there three boulders in the Garden?
Over time, the Garden's original two boulders came to represent Yukon and the Northwest Territories, Canada's two territories in 1967. When Nunavut was created in 1999, Canada gained a third territory. As part of the restoration, a third boulder has been added to reflect the Canada of today.
Who was Humphrey Carver?
Humphrey Carver was an influential Canadian landscape architect, urban planner and author who lived in Rockcliffe Park. He believed in the importance of thoughtful community planning and the role of green spaces in everyday life. The Centennial Garden is a small but lasting part of his legacy, right here in our neighbourhood.
A new way into the Garden
For the first time, the Centennial Garden has a dedicated accessible path from Springfield Road. Until now, the steep slope from Springfield and the narrow approaches through mature trees made access difficult for some.. The new path provides a more welcoming route into the Garden and Village Green, carefully designed to work within the established landscape while protecting the surrounding trees, including the wildlife tree.
Background: Restoring a village landmark. Together
The 2026 restoration restored the Garden's stonework and landscape, improved accessibility and climate resilience, introduced new plantings and added the third territorial boulder. The new benches, expected later this fall, will offer more places to sit, meet a friend or simply enjoy the Garden.
The work follows extensive community consultation in June 2025, including an in-person session hosted by Councillor Rawlson King and a City of Ottawa online survey with nearly 300 participants. Neighbours expressed strong support for a restoration that would respect Carver's original design while making the Garden more accessible, resilient and welcoming. Following this consultation, the restoration designed by CSW Landscape Architects was carried out by Exel Contracting Inc., in close collaboration with the City of Ottawa.
A highlight of the spring was the community groundbreaking ceremony on May 22, hosted by Councillor Rawlson King's office. Neighbours, supporters and City representatives gathered at the Village Green to mark the beginning of this long-awaited restoration. Construction began in August, and by the end of September, the renewed Garden was open to the community.
A Community Effort, More Than a Decade in the Making
The restoration of the Centennial Garden is the culmination of more than a decade of dedication, persistence and generosity from Rockcliffe Park neighbours, working in partnership with the City of Ottawa. We are especially grateful to the City of Ottawa and Councillor Rawlson King and his office, whose leadership, substantial financial commitment and ongoing support were essential to making this restoration possible.
The project brought together the Centennial Garden Revitalization Committee, the Rockcliffe Park Residents Association (RPRA), the Rockcliffe Park Foundation, the Councillor and the City, with design and construction expertise from CSW Landscape Architects and Exel Contracting Inc.
Special thanks go to the Centennial Garden Revitalization Committee, led by Marilyn Collette, with Honourary Chairs Adrian Burns, Gordon Cudney and Peter Nicholson, for their longstanding commitment. The Foundation was proud to oversee the project's financial and contractual administration. Above all, we thank the many neighbours who contributed their time, ideas, expertise and financial support over the years.
As Rockcliffe Park's centennial year draws to a close, the restored Garden is a reminder of what neighbours and public partners can accomplish together, and of the importance of caring for the places we share.
Greenspaces like this don't just happen. They are created, cared for and renewed by people who believe in the importance of community.
This community project is made possible through partnership with the City of Ottawa.
The Foundation provides contractual and financial oversight of the project.