4.00 ConEd Learning Hours
8:30 am - 12:30 pm

To attend this session, registrants must meet in the Conference Lounge: Provinces & Confederation I Kreitmaker Experiential Learning Dispatch Hub + Foyer of the Westin Ottawa Hotel

Ottawa has undergone one of the most profound transformations of any urban area in Canada over the last century. Join a local professional docent and storyteller for this experiential learning trip to uncover the vision of landscape architect Jacques Gréber, who aimed to transform Ottawa into the Washington of the North,” highlighting the challenges he faced in enhancing the capital’s aesthetics and infrastructure. Travel through Gatineau Park to learn about its creation, visit the Prime Minister's Mackenzie King Estate (including its famous Abbey Ruins and Mooreside fishing cabin), and stroll through the charming village of Wakefield to discover its rich heritage, including its old lumber mill and steam train station.

This journey offers participants a deeper understanding of how Ottawa became the vibrant capital it is today, guided by the legacy of Gréber and key historical figures like Mackenzie King.

This session is Level 2 (Lightly Active). Dress for weather conditions and wear comfortable clothing and footwear. Consider bringing a refillable water bottle and your camera.

Please note: Participants will gather and depart from the Kreitmaker Experiential Learning Dispatch Hub located in the Conference Lounge.

Learning Objectives
1. Explore the historical background and significance of Jacques Gréber’s plan to beautify Ottawa, transforming the city into a grand, green capital, and how this vision shaped its current landscape.
2. Discover the innovative ways Jacques Gréber overcame natural and bureaucratic challenges in executing his grand plans for the city's beautification and infrastructure.
3. Gain insight into the creation of Gatineau Park—a vital green space within the National Capital Region, and its role in the NCC’s vision for Ottawa as a nature-integrated urban centre.
4. Explore Mackenzie King’s estate and learn about his personal and political legacy before visiting Wakefield’s historic village to uncover its unique heritage and influence on the region.

To register, click here.  
 
To return to Conference Program, click here.