ABOUT WATERIDGE
Neighbourhood Features
Wateridge contains many unique design features to enable mobility, storm water management and low impact development.
These features have been designed not just to perform their engineering function but also add to the beauty of the neighbourhood.
Our association occasionally has received questions about these features and aim for this page to provide basic explanations for these characteristics we pass each day.
MOBILITY
Pedestrian Friendly Streets
Wateridge is designed to be a 15 minute walkable neighbourhood. As part of that vision, all streets in Wateridge have either sidewalks on both sides or a sidewalk on one side and a multi-use path on the other.
All streets and multi-use paths are lined with trees to provide shade for users and a generally cooler urban environment during the summer months.
MOBILITY
Pedestrian Pathways
Throughout Wateridge a number of strategically located pedestrian pathways can be found providing convenient short-cuts as well as picturesque walking areas for pedestrians.
MOBILITY
Multi-use Pathway Network
The minor collector roads in Wateridge feature a multi-use pathway along one side of the street. This tree-lined pathway network is suitable for activities such as walking, biking, roller skating and manual scooters. The network connects to a number of the major parks in Wateridge as well as the cycling tracks. There is over 1.5 km of multi-use pathways built in the community as of 2024.
MOBILITY
Cycling Tracks
The major collector roads in Wateridge are designed with 24-26m right of way. This provides enough space for two standard vehicle lanes, sidewalks, cycling tracks and bus stops, parking in strategic areas and street trees.
The cycling tracks in Wateridge run from Montreal Road and Wanaki Road, north along Wanaki Road to Hemlock Road and West along Hemlock Road connecting to the Aviation Pathway as well as the City Ottawa east-west bikeway system running through downtown and then west to Westboro.
STORM WATER MANAGEMENT
Bioswales
Bioswales are vegetated, shallow, open channels designed for conveyance and treatment of stormwater runoff, particularly from roadway drainage. Swales can reduce runoff volumes and pollutant loads by filtration through the vegetation. Plants are often selected due to their ability to filter sediments and nutrients.
Bioswales can be found throughout Wateridge including along Mikinak Road, Codd’s Road, and within some private development parking areas. They provide beautiful borders to community streets.
STORM WATER MANAGEMENT
Retention Ponds
Wateridge contains several storm water management ponds. These collect and help filter rain water and run-off from higher areas.
These areas form picturesque naturalized areas of the neighbour. They are coupled with walking paths and seating areas for quiet relaxation.
One such area can be found on Squadron Cresent with a walking path leading to Wanaki Road. Another such are can be found along the Sir George Étienne Cartier parkway at the bottom of the Waterfall from Kishkibika Park. A third pond will be constructed near the future Hemlock entrance to community
STORM WATER MANAGEMENT
Dry Ponds
In Eugene Martineau park, three “dry ponds” can be found close to Mikinak Road. These areas, sometimes referred to as “sponge parks” are designed to give a place for water to collect during the spring snow melt or after heavy rain storms. The water can then drain out in an orderly fashion as things dry out. They are are landscaped as natural areas with a boardwalk across one. Depending on the season and recent weather these ponds can contain water (as pictured) or completely dry out.
This feature will appear in other Wateridge parks to be built in the future.
STORM WATER MANAGEMENT
Storm Water Swales
The area directly south of Wateridge sits at a higher elevation. A naturalized strip of lands surrounds Wateridge. This provides not only a beautiful border but also a large swale to collect and manage run-off from up the hill.
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