The Emerald Woods Residents Association (EWRA) was founded in 1985, formed while our 300-home community was still under construction. It was originally created to enable residents to collectively advocate their concerns to the builder, Tartan Homes.
After the first 2-3 years when most of these concerns had been addressed, the EWRA evolved into a social and recreational association, organizing activities for the benefit of residents. Many of these activities have been going on for over 20 years, thanks to dedicated volunteers who have served on the executive, as well as those who have stepped up when called upon.
The longevity, continuity, and extent of community activities and involvement is one of the defining and rather unique features of our neighbourhood. And our fees are only $10 per household every two years.
In recent years, our Association has become more active with the City of Ottawa on many local development, public transit, security and traffic issues.
We are recognized as one of the voices in south Ottawa and continue this role through representations to our councillor, Jessica Bradley, as well directly to the city administration as necessary.
What we do:
- Organize and sponsor community activities
- EWRA Family Fun Day in the Park, dependent on weather and volunteer engagement
- Community Garage Sale (spring)
- Adult Dinner/Dance (late November or early December)
- Children’s Holiday Party (December)
- Junior soccer, running from early May until the end of June
- Spring cleanup of Emerald Woods and Baden parks (April or May)
- Author, print and distribute two newsletters a year (Spring and Fall)
- Administer Facebook account
- Monitor our generic account – ewra300@gmail.com
- Maintain and update the Emerald Woods Park bulletin board
- Maintain Membership Directory
Community Advocacy:
- Monitor developer zoning changes, site plans, and landscaping plans, and provide feedback to the city of Ottawa.
- Review and provide input into Emerald Woods park design and development such as light rail, traffic, speeding issues, etc.
- Monitor Emerald Woods safety and security issues