Rockcliffe Park Residents Association

The Rockcliffe Park Residents Association (RPRA) is a community-based membership organization run by volunteers. Its mission is to foster a spirit of community within the Village, to preserve and enhance its unique natural environment and its special heritage character, and to represent the interests of Rockcliffe residents. Members are kept up to date on issues facing the community and are invited to the numerous local events and activities that take place.

The volunteer board of directors meets the third Wednesday evening of the month (except July, August and December) at the Community Hall, 380 Springfield Road. Meetings are open to the public.

The RPRA is a not-for-profit corporation under Industry Canada, with its own by-laws and articles of continuation.

Join the RPRA!

The RPRA represents the spirit and values of the community and all Village residents are sincerely encouraged to join and get involved. Members keep up with the latest local news, participate in community events, and have their say about issues concerning them and the wider community.

Membership Fees

Annual membership fees are $25 per household, or $50 for two years. Your RPRA membership helps with RPRA administrative costs, the cost of hosting any political meetings (such as the all-candidates meetings that are held in Rockcliffe during election years), and most importantly, supports the RPRA’s work representing the interest of the residents of Rockcliffe with the city and province. The more members there are, the stronger that representation is. While the Rockcliffe Park Foundation supports the programs and initiatives in our community, as a foundation it cannot financially support advocacy work.

Membership forms are available here and are inserted annually in the December edition of the Rockcliffe News and are also available at RPRA community events.

Community Activities and Functions

RPRA activities, run by community volunteers, include publication of The Rockcliffe News, delivered free to every household in the Village. The website gives community updates and lists new and exciting things to do. Environmental actions and issues management are ongoing, including care of the conservation area; traffic, cycling and safety issues; assistance to the Library; heritage reviews of construction and exterior alteration to buildings and other related heritage activities.

How to Organize a Street Party

What better way to celebrate the beginning of summer than by planning your very own street party? A street party is a wonderful way to meet neighbours old and new, enjoy the outdoors and strengthen our community.

Start by contacting a few neighbours six to eight weeks in advance to see if there is enough interest to organize a street party.
Set up a meeting or divide up a few duties by email.
Determine a budget.
Choose a date, hours of road closure, plus a rain date.
Select a contact person to email the City of Ottawa at specialeventstraffic@ottawa.ca or call 613 580-2424, ext. 28164 to obtain the application for permits for the street closure (this should be done at least three weeks before the event, if not earlier).
Determine the need for table and chair rentals vs. using your own.
Plan food, drinks, decorations, activities and music, according to age of participants.
Send out invitations to everyone affected by the road closure (and beyond, if you like!) at least a few weeks in advance of the party.
Have fun, take photos of the event and consider sending them in to The Rockcliffe News. We’d love to hear about your street party event!

Mary Lapner

NOTE: The RPRA has “Children at Play” signs that you can borrow for your events. Contact us at secretary@rockcliffepark.ca.

Events and Recreation

The RPRA coordinates and organizes a wide range of RPF-funded programs held in the Community Hall or the Jubilee Garden, including an entertaining and informative speakers’ program, a Spring Village Clean-up, Library Book Sale, a Children’s Christmas Party, Christmas Tree Lighting and Carol Singing. A children’s soccer league is open to all children aged four years and up who live in Rockcliffe Park, Lindenlea, Manor Park and New Edinburgh. Programs for adults range from bridge lessons to Ikebana and aerobic classes. The city organizes children’s summer camps. In winter, “The Hosers” maintain two skating rinks – a hockey and general skating rink at Rockcliffe Park Public School and a children’s rink in Jubilee Garden.

The Rockcliffe Hosers’ Corporation (Charitable Registration # 80798 4844 RR001) raises funds to support the Rockcliffe Rink Project – an outdoor rink and, for summertime, a sports court. Additionally, the Hosers arranged in 2016 to move a heritage ice-warming hut from the grounds of Rideau Hall to the Rockcliffe rink.

Speakers Events

Since 2001, the evening speaker program has presented a variety of distinguished speakers, including: David Halton on his career as a television journalist and on his book about his father, war-time correspondent Matthew Halton; Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin on the Supreme Court and personal reflections; Elizabeth May and Tom d’Aquino debating environmental matters; Rt Hon. Joe Clark on the need for national conversations; Andrew Cohen on the Washington scene, John F. Kennedy, and Lester Pearson; Mark Kristmanson concerning opportunities ahead for the NCC; John Ibbitson about Stephen Harper; and, Her Excellency Sharon Johnston about her debut novel.

Events are held at the Community Hall. Engaging question and answer periods follow these presentations and the evenings end over coffee and cookies and discussions with neighbours. The Speakers Series is funded by Rockcliffe Park Foundation grants and admission is free.