Oct 4th, 2024

Volunteer Project: Active Outdoor Space in Russell Heights Empowers Residents 

On October 4, the Russell Heights community celebrated the unveiling of the 1700 Spot – a new outdoor gym complete with seating and games. 

The unveiling celebrated the new active outdoor space with a mini-Olympic event – inviting neighbourhood children to participate to win a medal in the chin-up competition, push-up competition, and skip rope challenge.   

The outdoor gym is the final phase of a two-year $100,000 project in collaboration with Carleton University’s Azrieli School of Architecture and Urbanism. Carleton students worked with the Russell Heights Community House to showcase designs for community improvements, took the feedback, and included it in the final design.  

During the construction of phase two this summer, the community faced a tragic loss when 19-year-old resident Yousef Salaman was killed. The project team added commemorative artwork in the newly developed space to honour his memory.  

“The design integrates elements that encourage social interaction, physical activity, and quiet reflection, all of which are essential for holistic mental health.”

Assistant Professor Menna Agha, Director of Carleton University’s Azrieli School of Architecture and Urbanism Action Lab. 

Key Community improvements include: 

• A new basketball court 

• enhancements to the Youth House – which offers essential programming for children and youth 

• A pergola for outdoor activities and gatherings 

• An outdoor gym 

Youth from the community also visited the university to play basketball and participate in design workshops.   

Students from Carleton also worked on a public food pantry in the community of MacLaren Towers in 2022. Stéphane Giguère, Chief Executive Officer for OCH, said our partnership with Carleton is a win-win.   

“It offers valuable, hands-on experience for students and supports the needs of OCH residents.  This new community space will leave a lasting positive impact, and we look forward to continuing to collaborate with Carleton in other communities.”   

Stéphane Giguère, Chief Executive Officer for OCH