Design Intent
NAK Design Strategies was engaged by the City of Ottawa to create a Park Conservation Plan for this unique, historic park designed by Frederick Todd, one of Canada’s early landscape architects recognized for planning many parks around the country. Macdonald Gardens Park was developed as part of the efforts to beautify the capital in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Todd’s design intent was to create a tranquil setting with winding paths, native trees, and open spaces in an urban setting with views of Parliament from the Summer House.
The Park Conservation Plan is a written document intended to provide the City of Ottawa with a concise guide for the management and preservation of the heritage values, attributes, and integrity of Macdonald Gardens Park. The assessment of the park and proposed Vision Plan follows the Heritage Standards for Preservation, Rehabilitation and Restoration in Canada.
The Park Conservation Plan includes site analysis, illustrated in the Existing Conditions Plan, an assessment of the current site conditions, shown in the Assessment Plan, maintenance guidelines, and a proposed Vision Plan for future site interventions including:
- Restoration of built features – Summer House building and Amphitheatre Stone Walls
- Preservation of critical views of Parliament, Gatineau, and Lowertown Heritage District
- Preservation of prominent landforms within the park – hill with views to Parliament and the amphitheatre terracing
- Restoration of stone dust pathways and open spaces
- Preservation mature trees
- Rehabilitation of built features – Eastern Stairs to enhance the sense of place & visual relationship to Old Charlotte Street
- Rehabilitate the former Charlotte Street alignment
