The trees along the Nun’s Walk are on death row! If you care about protecting this precious line of maple trees, please sign this petition by June 10, 2026. It will be presented to Councillor Jeff Leiper and His Worship Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of Ottawa, and the developer of the Les Soeurs de la Visitation convent site.

Protect a precious greenspace and cultural landmark! 

Les Soeurs de la Visitation convent was established in 1910 on 5.2 acres of land south of Richmond Road and slightly west of Island Park Drive. The development converted a pre-Confederation farmhouse, known as The Elms, into a residence for the nuns. The farmhouse, owned by prominent Westboro and Ottawa business figures of the era, is an excellent example of Gothic Revival residential architecture. In 1912-13, a chapel was added to the property.

The convent was originally sheltered from the larger community by a stone wall, which has since been dismantled. All that remains of the landscape architecture that supported the nun’s lives of quiet contemplation and prayer is the Nun’s Walk: eight mature, healthy maple trees that provide a rare green canopy of shelter linking Richmond Road to Byron Avenue. 

The Nun’s Walk is under threat – again!

More than 15 years ago, Kitchissippi Ward residents worked hard to save the grounds of the Les Soeurs de la Visitation convent from development. While that battle was lost for the most part, the residents’ protest did ensure protected status for the glorious Nun’s Walk. In 2012, the City designated the grounds as cultural heritage landscape. This status remains reflected in the City’s Official Plan. 

Unfortunately, this beautiful path is under threat again. A developer building homes next to the path has signaled that most, if not all, the trees will be cut down. How many? At Councillor Leiper’s recent public forum, the question was not answered.

Ottawa’s Official Plan set a tree canopy target of 40% for the urban core. It’s estimated that Kitchissippi’s tree canopy is at 25% and shrinking. The developer has said the big trees will be replaced. However, young trees won’t give the same level of canopy cover, and won’t provide the same level of stormwater absorption, urban cooling, carbon storage, or wildlife habitat. 

If you care about greenspace and our cultural past and want it preserved, send the City a message and sign this petition. It’s an election year. It might get heard. 

Sincerely,

The Westboro Community Association