Ice Blasting on the Rideau River

http://www.360cities.net/image/ice-blasting-rideau-river#17.20,-6.20,70.0





 taken from


 http://staging.neighbourhoodstudy.ca/pmwiki/pmwiki.php?n=Main.Overbrook-McArthur

Neighbourhood Profile: Overbrook West - Mc Arthur  

History and Description Overbrook West - Mc Arthur is bounded on the north by Montreal, and a number of other roads including Mc Arthur. To the south lies Highway 417, St. Laurent Boulevard is to the east, and the Rideau River lies to the west. The Duke Cornwall and the Duchess of York visited Ottawa in 1901. Ten years later, upon the death of King Edward VII, the Duke and Duchess acceded to the throne as King George V and Queen Mary. Within a year, the first reference to Overbrook is found on a map published by Thorburn & Abbott. The community of Overbrook had two streets named after the newly crowned King and Queen commemorating their coronation, and a third street commemorating the consort of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert.  

The People As of the 2006 census, Overbrook West - Mc Arthur had 11,464 residents. The population consists mainly of young and middle aged adults, which is representative of most neighbourhoods in the City of Ottawa. The distribution across age groups was as follows: 10% were children under 9 years of age, 13% were youth aged 10 to 19, 27% were young adults aged 20 to 39, 39% were middle aged adults aged 40 to 69, and 10% were seniors aged 70 to 89. In terms of knowledge of official languages, 40% of Overbrook residents reported that they could speak or understand English only, 5.4% reported they could speak or understand French only, 54 reported that they could speak or understand both English and French, and 0.9% reported that they knew neither English nor French. This neighbourhood is fairly diverse; 25% of the residents reported that they represent a visible minority and 2.7% of residents identified as Aboriginal (First Nations, Inuit or Métis). Thirty percent of the population immigrated to Canada between 1996 and 2006, and 15% were recent immigrants (i.e. came to Canada between 2001 and 2006). Twenty-six percent of residents ages 15 and over were first generation immigrants, 11% were second generation immigrants, and 63% were third generation or higher. Among the immigrants, 39% were from Asia or the Middle East, 20% were from Africa, 11% were from the Caribbean, 2.6% were from the United States, 18% were from Europe, and 8% were from South or Central America. In 2006, the average individual income in Overbrook West - Mc Arthur was $30,848, and average household income was $51,900; these are below the Ottawa averages of $34,844 and $86,848, respectively. After tax, twenty-nine percent of residents live below the Low Income cut-off (LICO, which is an important poverty benchmark), this much higher than the city average of 14.1%, but has decreased slightly from 30% in 2001. Thirty percent of children in the Overbrook West - Mc Arthur area were living below the LICO (Ottawa average: 16.8 %), while 5.6% of seniors in the area were living below the LICO (Ottawa average: 6.9%). Of residents living in families, twenty-eight percent were in lone parent families. Thirty-six percent of Overbrook West - Mc Arthur’s seniors were living alone. The population was fairly educated; 29% of residents did not complete high school, 26% completed high school, 7.6% completed an apprenticeship or trades certificate, 15% completed college or CEGEP and 22% completed a bachelor’s degree. The neighbourhood socio-economic index is based on average income, percent below the LICO, the unemployment rate, the percent of people with less than a high school education, and the percent of families that are lone parent. Based on this index, neighbourhoods were divided into quintiles, with 1 representing most advantage and 5 representing the least advantage. Overbrook-Mac Arthur is in the 5th socio-economic quintile.  

Employment Fifty-nine percent of Overbrook’s residents participated in the labour force. The unemployment rate was 8.2% (Ottawa neighbourhood average: 5.9%), and youth unemployment was relatively low, at 10% (Ottawa neighbourhood average: 13.8%). Of those who were employed, 53% worked full-time, 40% worked part-time, and 6.5% did not work in the year before the census. Forty-five percent of residents did unpaid work, including housework and unpaid care for seniors or children. Transportation to Work Among those who worked, 49% drove a car, truck, or van to work, 11% rode in a car, truck, or van as a passenger, 26% used public transit, 8.2% walked to work, 3.8% bicycled to work, and less than 1.4% used other methods of transportation to work. Housing Overbrook-Mac Arthur is an older neighbourhood; more than half of the dwellings were built before 1960. Eleven percent of the dwellings were constructed in the period before 1946, while another 39% were constructed between 1946 and 1960. Seventeen percent were built between 1961 and 1970, 32% were built between 1971 and 1995, and only 4% were built between 1996 and 2006. By 2006, Overbrook had 4710 dwellings: 22% were single detached, 8.1% were semi-detached, 14% were row houses, 18% were apartments with more than 5 stories and 32% were apartments with less than 5 stories. The majority (59%) of residents rented, while 40% owned their homes. Housing is unaffordable for many residents in the neighbourhood: 31% of residents pay more than 30% of their income on shelter (above the city average of 24%). Eleven percent of the dwellings were reported to be in need of major repairs (above the city average of 6.4%). The number of people per room, a measure of crowding, was above the city average (0.38), at 0.46.  

Civic Engagement and Responsibility Overbrook West - Mc Arthur residents are not well engaged in the political process, with 38% of eligible voters voted for mayor in the last municipal election (Fall 2006); this is lower than the city average of 48%. The neighbourhood is also mobile, with 15% of residents moving within the last year; this is higher than the city average of 14%. Fifty-five percent (55.4% ± 11.5%) felt a sense of belonging to the neighbourhood; this is near the city average and similar to the average for the 5th SES quintile neighbourhoods. In 2006, the property crime rate was 111.2 crimes per thousand people, a much higher rate than the city average of 42.7 per thousand people. Personal crime rates were also much higher than the city average of 6.5 per thousand, at 21.1 per thousand people. Overbrook has 12 religious organizations within its borders, with a ratio of 1.05 religious organizations per thousand people. Overbrook also has an active community association. For more information on this, see the City of Ottawa directory at: http://ottawa.ca/info/contactus/blue_pages_en.html#P610_5368. Neighbourhood Resources for Health (Note that the food data is up to date as of September 2008, while the other data was updated in September 2007. Food Overbrook West neighbourhood has good access to grocery stores, specialty stores, and convenience stores. It also has high access to fast food outlets. This neighbourhood has 6 grocery stores, or .52 per thousand people, and 11 specialty food stores (.96 per thousand people). The closest grocery stores and specialty stores are 704.84 meters away (an 11 minute walk1) and 262.84 meters (a 4 minute walk) away, respectively, from the population weighted center. Overbrook has 15 convenience stores (1.31 per thousand people) and 33 fast food outlets, or 2.9 for every thousand people. The closest convenience store is located 235.86 meters away (a 4 minute walk) from the population center and the closest fast food outlet is 381.49 meters away (a 6 minute walk). Three (75%) of Overbrook schools are within 500 meters (or an 8 minute walk) of a fast food outlet. Overbrook also has 16 sit-down restaurants or 1.40 per thousand and the average distance to the closest four restaurants is 831.89 meters from the population center.  

Greenspace Overbrook has .63 km2 of greenspace available or .06 kms of greenspace per thousand people; this is much lower than the city average of .26 km² per thousand people. Parks and Recreation Overbrook has some opportunities for recreation. In total, it has 41 recreation sites, or 3.58 per thousand people. Specifically, it has three sites for winter recreation (.26 for every 1000 people), 36 sites for summer recreation (3.14 for every 1000 people), and two indoor recreation facilities (.17 for every 1000 people). In 2007, 51.8% of this neighbourhood’s residents reported using a recreational facility (source: RRFSS). The neighbourhood also has 11.06 km of bike/walking paths, or .96 meters of bike/walking paths for every resident. In 2007, 89% of the residents reported being aware of walking, biking, or nature trails in Ottawa, while 70.3% reported using walking, biking, or nature trails (source: RRFSS). Overbrook has 25.6 m2 of park space for every resident; this is below the City average of 34.3 m2 per resident. With a recreation index score (combines all recreation per thousand, bike paths, and parks) of 46, Overbrook has slightly below average opportunities for recreation (city average = 50).  

Education and Culture Overbrook has four schools. The closest City of Ottawa library branch is located 1,712.47 meters from the population center; this is slightly lower than the city average. Financial services This neighbourhood has seven banks with a ratio of .61 banks per thousand people. This is higher than average for the Ottawa area. It has four ‘less healthy financial services’ sites (cheque cashing, pawn shop or payday loan outlets) or .35 per thousand people. This is higher than the city average. Health services Compared to other neighbourhoods in Ottawa, Overbrook is well served by pharmacies, with 0.38 per thousand people. The average distance to the four closest physicians from the population center is 1,140.24 metres; this is below the average distance for the Ottawa area (1,941.7 meters). Data from the 2001 to 2007 Canadian Community Health Surveys show that the proportion of residents who have a regular medical doctor is 90.1% (± 4.9%): this is near the City average (88.3% ± 1.0%) and significantly higher than the 5th SES Quintile average (83.0% ± 2.8%). The proportion of residents who have ever had a flu shot was 55.2% (± 9.6%); this is lower, but not significantly different than the Ottawa average (62.0% ± 1.5%) or the average for the 5th quintile (64.6% ± 3.3%). The proportion of residents who visited a dentist in the past year (55.6% ± 11.6%) is not significantly different than the 5th SES quintile average (60.7% ± 3.5%), but is significantly lower than the City average of 73.4% (± 1.5%). Neighbourhood Health Outcomes Please note that the results from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) represent combined data from the 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2007 cycles. Results from the Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS) represent combined data from 2003 to 2007 for self-rated health, body mass index (BMI), and physical activity. The health of Overbrook residents is generally poor compared to the average for the Ottawa area. For example, 57.1% (± 8.6%) of residents rated their overall health as excellent or very good in the years 2003 to 2007. This is below, but not significantly different than the Ottawa average of 64.5% (± 1.2%). In terms of reproductive health, the rate of low birth weight single births in the years of 2002 to 2007 was 5.8 per hundred births: this is higher than the city average of 4.3 per hundred births. The rate of preterm births of 7.5 per hundred was higher than the Ottawa average (6.4%) and near the average for the 5th socio-economic quintile (7.2%). The rate of teen births was 5.9 per hundred; this is higher than the Ottawa average of 2.3 per hundred and the 5th quintile average of 5.4 per hundred. The rate of hospitalization for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions (conditions such as asthma, diabetes, cellulitis, angina, and hypertension) between 2003 and 2007 was 1,494.2 (± 216.1) per hundred thousand people; this is significantly higher than the city average (976.1 ± 21.2), but not significantly different than the average for the 5th socio-economic quintile (1,318.0 ± 62.1). The rate of emergency room visits for the same conditions between 2003 and 2007 was 8,568.9 (± 505.9) per hundred thousand people; this is significantly higher than both the City average of 5,806.1 (± 50.3) and the average for the fifth socio-economic quintile (7,599.4 ± 145.1). Hospitalization rates for unintentional injuries between 2003 and 2007 were 599.9 per hundred thousand people (± 139.4); this is higher, but not significantly different than the Ottawa average of 472.2 (± 15) and similar to the 5th quintile average of 616.55 (± 43.0). The rate of ER visits for unintentional injuries of 11,198.3 (± 578.5) per hundred thousand people was significantly higher than that for the Ottawa area (8,765.6 ± 61.5) and lower, but not significantly different than that of the rate for neighbourhoods in the 5th socioeconomic quintile (11,486.2 ± 178.2). In terms of physical activity, 51.8% (± 10.3%) of the residents were inactive in their leisure time (CCHS 2001 to 2007); this is not statistically different than either the Ottawa average or the average for the 5th socio-economic quintile. Seventy-eight percent of residents (± 8.1%) were moderately or highly physically active across all daily activities during the years 2003 to 2007; this is similar to the Ottawa average (78.5% ± 1.1%) and near the average for the 5th socio-economic quintile (75.8% ± 3.0%). Fifty-seven percent (± 8.6%) of the residents aged 18 years and older reported overweight or obese BM Is (RRFSS; years 2003 to 2007); this is higher, but not significantly different from the averages for either the Ottawa area or for the 5th socio-economic quintile. Twenty-four percent (24.4% ± 5.5%) consumed 5 to 10 servings of fruit and vegetable servings per day in the years 2001 to 2007. This is significantly lower than both the Ottawa average of 40.2% (±1.5) or the average for the 5th socio-economic quintile (46.5% ± 3.2%). Only 63% of residents (± 8.0%) lived in smoke-free homes during the years 2003 to 2007 (RRFSS); this is significantly lower than the Ottawa average (74.9% ± 1.1%) and near the average for the 5th socio-economic quintile (65.6% ± 2.9%). School Readiness The Early Development Instrument (EDI) measures the school readiness of kindergarten children on five major domains; physical health and well-being, social competence, emotional maturity, language and cognitive development, and communication skills and general knowledge. If a child scores below 90% of other Ottawa children on a domain, he or she is considered ‘vulnerable’ on that domain. Importantly, 56.9% (± 9.31%) of kindergarten children residing in the Overbrook West - Mc Arthur neighbourhood were rated as vulnerable on the Early Development Instrument (EDI) in Year 2006, while the city average is 29.3% (± 1%). Additionally, 43.1% (± 9.3%) of neighbourhood children were vulnerable on TWO or more domains of school readiness (City average = 15.8, ± 0.8%).

 Neighbourhood Strengths and Challenges Overbrook West - Mc Arthur has a number of strengths including a good age and linguistic mix, an active community association, and good access to grocery and specialty stores. However, the large number of people who live below the LICO may find it difficult to afford food. Overbrook West-Mc Arthur also has very high child poverty and a high proportion of lone parent families. The high poverty and unemployment rates and the need for affordable housing are concerns; both individual and household incomes are well below City averages. The extremely high crime rates are a cause for concern. The number of ER visits and hospitalizations for Ambulatory Care sensitive conditions are also a concern. One of the most important concerns is the fact that a high number of kindergarten children living in this area are not ready for school. Poorer than average birth outcomes are another cause for concern. 1 Based on an average walking speed of 1.1 metres per second (http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/publicat/pdf/PedComp/pedintro.pdf) Interpret with caution – high sampling variability