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Landscape architects and designers at the NCC have won many awards for Confederation Boulevard. The two most prestigious are perhaps the one from the American Society of Landscape Architects (1998) and the Award of Honour from the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (2000). Confederation Boulevard, though largely completed in 2000, is still being developed.
Look for...
- broad tree-lined walkways, lined in pink Canadian granite and distinctive street furniture
- a row of tall lampposts, each bearing a bronze maple leaf at the top
- colourful banners (in summer) celebrating Canada's provinces and territories as well as significant national events and anniversaries
- flags honouring visiting heads of state
- seasonal displays of festive lights in the trees that line the Boulevard
- belvederes, lookouts and on-site exhibits and interpretation panels
The Making of Confederation Boulevard
Planning began in 1983; the challenge was to transform a number of existing streets into a single entity and to impose unity on varied landscape and architecture. Designers adopted consistent pavement detailing, distinctive signage, lampposts and street furniture. Opposite sides of the Boulevard were treated differently to establish a “Town” and “Crown” relationship with Ottawa and Hull along the route.
Crown
The inner side of the Boulevard is strongly ceremonial in design, with a double row of trees that will grow to form a canopy of foliage over the esplanade. Bronze maple leaves top the tall, distinctive lampposts, also fitted to fly colourful banners to celebrate national events or to honour visiting dignitaries.
Town
The outer side of the loop serves as a gateway to adjacent commercial and residential sectors. The detailing mimics aspects of the Crown side of the street, but with less detail. Trees, for example, are planted in a single row and pedestrian light standards conform to the differing styles of Ottawa and Gatineau.
Partnership
Confederation Boulevard was planned, designed and constructed through the creative collaboration of the NCC, Public Works and Government Services Canada and regional and municipal governments in the Capital region.