Ottawa city council OK's mountain bike park on former Carlington ski hill

Ottawa city council has approved a plan put forward bythe Ottawa Mountain Bike Associationtobuild a track and skills area on a former ski hill in Carlington Park.

The city will not contribute anymoney to the project, but it will monitor the volunteer group's progress as it builds the dirt track and jumps, and will help maintain the site, staff said.

• Proposed bike riding park divides Carlington residents

The City of Ottawa has received many proposals over the years forthe former ski hill, including pitches for water slides and winter tubing,said Dan Chnier, general manager of parks and recreation.

But the city has always steered away from developing the hill, he said.

Asked about residents' concerns for at-risk speciesthat can be found inCarlington Park, staff assured councillors that themountain bike park would not affect the animals.

Residents remain divided

However the proposal has divided residents of the surrounding neighbourhood.

The Carlington Community Association told a city committee last week thata vote taken at its annual meeting showed most residents support the mountain bike proposal.

But other residents have shown up atcity hallwearing "Save the Hill" T-shirts, and have been speaking out about the impacts they believe the mountain bikers will have on traffic and the environment.

They also say the city should have consulted more widely before approving the proposal.

Only councillors Keith Egli andRick Chiarellidissented when council approved the project Wednesday..