Rehabilitation of the Log Farm

Project Summary

The National Capital Commission is planning to rehabilitate and stabilize the structures on the Log Farm heritage property to ensure the safety of the current tenant and future generations of Greenbelt users. The repairs will provide a safe, functional space for animation, education, and sustainable agriculture. The work on site varies from completely rebuilding and restoring buildings (Poultry House, Log Barn, and Sheep Barn) to minor repairs, in order to extend the lifespan of less damaged structures (Farmhouse, Summer Kitchen, Outhouse, Drive Shed, Blacksmith Shop, Pig Shed).

Construction and restoration designs will be implemented to both respect the property's historic significance and active public use, while following "Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada" (https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/pages/standards-normes.aspx). These repairs will address immediate issues with the structure of the buildings or the next 10 years, as well as preventing further deterioration caused by water damage. Lastly, we will coordinate the works with the current tenant to minimize interruption to their daily operations and use of the barns.

The site is located within the National Capital Commission's Greenbelt in Ottawa's west end. The Log Farm is a well-loved attraction that has welcomed generations of visitors since the 1970s. The farm hosts several heritage buildings, including the original house of the Bradley family. Some of the activities and features on the 100 plus acres site include walking trails, historic barns, a farm animal petting zoo and a corn maze. The operation is an historic animation site which includes multiple buildings that are over 150 years old and is of strong heritage significance, giving the visitor a glimpse into how a local family lived in the 1800s. The site frequently offers other activities, such as seasonal celebrations, a petting zoo and a farmer's market.

A comprehensive structural assessment of the outhouse, barns, and the farmhouse, was conducted by the National Capital Commission. Following this assessment, several problems were identified, and multiple options were defined by the project team to preserve the buildings long-term.

The construction plan includes the following components:

  • Proceed with high priority interventions such as structural stabilization to ensure health and safety
  • Use the most cost-effective restoration effort of the damaged and weathered wooden historic barns
  • Re-shingle cedar roofing and wood eavestrough where necessary
  • Repair old brickwork structures such as chimneys and interior walls
  • Repair/rebuild deteriorated log structures while using repurposed on-site logs wherever possible
  • In severe cases, build new foundational supports and external structures for structures posing health and safety risks
  • Minor septic tank upgrades

Project specific potential adverse socio-economic and bio-physical environmental effects because of the project include:

  • The disturbance of migratory and species at risk birds nesting within the structures
  • The temporary displacement of farm animals during rehabilitation of barn structures
  • The temporary interruption of visitor focused activities
  • Damage to sensitive historical structures due to constriction work

With the help of the National Capital Commission's biologists, environmental officers and Heritage Program, as well as external environmental consultants and federal partners (Environment and Climate Change Canada), the project will develop a mitigation plan to avoid, reduce or compensate for any environmental effects caused by the project. Proposed mitigation measures will include the use of bird exclusion netting near work areas, installation of temporary shelters for farm animals, the use of specialized heritage timber structure carpenters and receiving advice from similar heritage operations around Eastern Ontario.

 

Diagram

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Figure 1. Overall site plan showing the three principle areas of the Log Farm: The visitor center (1); the farmstead (2) and the tenant house and garage (3).

Figure 2. Zoomed in site plan showing the buildings requiring rehabilitation: the farmhouse (1); the summer kitchen (2); the outhouse (3); the poultry house (4); the storage shed (5); the blacksmith shop (6); the pig shed (7); the sheep barn (8); and the carpentry shop and house barn (9).

Figure 3. Photograph of the Bradley farmhouse.

 

Figure 4. Photograph showing the pig shed, the carpentry shop and house barn and the sheep barn, from left to right.

 

 

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Latest update

February 14, 2022 – The public comment period on the project is closed. The National Capital Commission is considering comments received to help inform its determination on whether the carrying out of the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

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Key documents

Key documents
Document Number Document Title File Date
2 Notice of Determination - November 25, 2022
1 Public Notice - Rehabilitation of the Log Farm - Public Comments Invited - January 14, 2022

Contacts

National Capital Commission
Environmental Assessment
40 Elgin Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5A8
Email: IA-EI@ncc-ccn.ca


  • Location

    • 670 Cedarview Road, Ottawa, Ontario (Ontario)
  • Nature of Activity

    • Building and Property Development
    • Maintenance activities (fences, walls)
  • Assessment Status

    Completed
  • Start Date

    2022-01-14
  • Proponent

    National Capital Commission
  • Authorities

    • National Capital Commission
  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands
  • Reference Number

    83300
Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

 

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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