EJQ7 - Winter 2026 - Journal - Page 17
2025 BROWNIE AWARD WINNERS
REFOCUS: Vision of Alternative Bene昀椀ts to Brown昀椀elds Remediation
Dow’s Lake Revitalization – Ottawa, ON
DOW’S LAKE, once limited by industrial contamination, was reopened for public swimming
in June 2025 after the National Capital Commission (NCC) led studies and risk assessments
showing negligible health risks. A 昀氀oating dock now provides safe deep-water access,
protecting swimmers from shoreline sediments. The project revitalizes a historic UNESCO
waterbody, reconnects the community to its waterfront, and has already welcomed over
90,000 visitors in its inaugural season.
Project Team: National Capital Commission (NCC), SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd., Baird Consulting Group, Carleton University (Dr. Sean Landsman, PhD), and Parks Canada.
“The NCC is proud to have received a Brownie Award for its new recreational dock at Dow’s Lake. Over
the last decade, the NCC has been exploring new opportunities to increase public access and shoreline animation across the National Capital Region. This vision was behind the major rehabilitation of the NCC’s
River House and the recently-renewed Westboro Beach site, as well as the Dow’s Lake recreational dock.
The dock project reintroduced urban swimming to the lake for the 昀椀rst time in nearly a century.
KATHRYN MATHESON AND LISA TOMLINSON OF
SLR CONSULTING (CANADA) LTD.
The award category is a perfect nod to the collaborative vision behind the project, which drew
together expertise from SLR Consulting, Parks Canada, Ottawa Riverkeeper, Carleton University,
and others. The project was completed in under a year, proving that small, innovative initiatives
can deliver major results. By breathing new life into a historic UNESCO waterbody, the NCC and its
partners have created a vibrant visitor destination where history, community and nature meet.”
Jen Halsall, NCC
E N V I RON M E N T J OURN A L QUA RT E RLY RE PORT • W I N T ER 2 02 5 • P AG E 1 7
