Category: Column

Building a Stronger Sense of Community: Why It Matters

high angle shot of suburban neighborhood

Photo by David McBee on Pexels.com In today’s digitally connected world, it’s easy to feel isolated despite being surrounded by people. Building closer relationships with our neighbors can counteract this isolation and bring numerous benefits to our lives. As a member of the community association, I believe fostering a sense of community cohesiveness …

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Permanent link to this article: https://cgow.ca/building-a-stronger-sense-of-community-why-it-matters

Learning About Roundabouts: Steering Towards a Safer, More Efficient Community

aerial view of cars on the road

Photo by Altaf Shah on Pexels.com As a proud member of the board of our community association in Convent Glen Orleans Wood, I am a huge proponent of the maintaining the charm and tranquility of our neighbourhood. We all cherish the sense of familiarity and the ease of getting around without needing to …

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Permanent link to this article: https://cgow.ca/learning-about-roundabouts-steering-towards-a-safer-more-efficient-community

In the Suburbs, Everything Looks Like a Drive

landscape photography of cars

The title of this post references the old adage, “When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.” This saying is especially true when it comes to transportation in suburban Ottawa.

Permanent link to this article: https://lesscar.ca/2024/12/29/in-the-suburbs-everything-looks-like-a-drive/#new_tab

Rethinking Suburban Living – A Path to Resilience and Affordability

high angle photography of village

As a resident of our suburban neighborhood with family roots here since the early 90s, I’ve come to appreciate the tranquility, space, and sense of calm that comes with living outside the hustle and bustle of the inner city.

Permanent link to this article: https://lesscar.ca/2024/12/22/rethinking-suburban-living-a-path-to-resilience-and-affordability/#new_tab

Third places in Convent Glen Orléans Wood

people inside bar

Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh on Pexels.com Matthieu Gagnon, Vice-President The Pumpkin Alley organized by my fellow community association board member, Arnold van den Hoeven, made me realize two important things, our neighbours are generally awesome and we need more of these types of things. The highlight of the event to me was …

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Permanent link to this article: https://cgow.ca/third-places-in-convent-glen-orleans-wood

Restoring the Heart of the Suburbs

Obviously, anybody reading this is bringing with them their own life experiences and unique history.

Permanent link to this article: https://lesscar.ca/2024/11/29/restoring-the-heart-of-the-suburbs/

Budget 2025: Active Transportation Priorities

Matthieu Gagnon, Vice-President, CGOWCA Board Last spring, I did a series on my personal blog about what I consider the top priorities for active transportation in Orléans. I came up with four general objectives and wrote a post about each of them: Allowing kids to move around the neighbourhood Getting people to the …

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Permanent link to this article: https://cgow.ca/budget-2025-active-transportation-priorities

Benefits of the Orléans Corridor Secondary Plan

Matthieu Gagnon, Vice-President, CGOWCA Board At our annual general meeting on September 24, we were lucky to have Robin van de Lande come to present on the Orléans Corridor Secondary Plan Study which is in the final stages of being adopted (pending Ontario Land Tribunal case OLT-23-000243). In May, a first development application

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Permanent link to this article: https://cgow.ca/benefits-of-the-orleans-corridor-secondary-plan