In the Northern section of the site wetland have been constructed in order to maximize fauna in the area. Boardwalks are substituted for trails in these areas so visitors can observe the wildlife at a safe viewing distance. Wetland vegetation has been provided but species with succulent bark has been minimized in efforts to deter inhabitance by wetland-destroying animals such as beavers. This has been done in order to maximize the opportunity for success of this wetland area. 

The assignment required the implementation of storm water management techniques for creatively but responsibly harvesting

rainwater and allowing it to reenter back into the ecological water cycle. By designating the area as an outdoor recreational area,

which includes camping, fishing, hiking and picnicking facilities, a retreat to nature has been created adjacent to the highly populated

and urbanized Ottawa-Carleton area this is important for the psychological health of these city dwellers. The overall design of

the site has employed numerous techniques that demonstrate sensitivity to the natural environment. Serving as the biological

function for this area these blue green technologies, will transform this depleted site into a useful area for healthy human interaction.

Roads, parking lots and trails have been constructed using a gravel pave construction technique. The product Gravelpave2 is a product from www.invisiblestructures.com. This structure provides heavy load bearing support and true containment of gravel to create a porous pavement surface with unlimited traffic volume and/or duration time for parking. Gravelpave2 can provide a void space of 35% for storage volume of rainfall during rain events. These passages have been lined on the sides with vegetated swales where appropriate. Phytoremediation is utilized along the swales of the roads and parking lots. These include plant materials that have proven themselves useful in the process of phytoremediation. These materials include hybrid poplars, willows, cattails, and various other plant materials that will contain and remove pollutants and other contaminants from vehicles. Water along side the roads and parking lots will be cleaner and less likely to endanger the surrounding areas. Phytoremediation is aesthetically pleasing and it is cheaper than large machinery.

There are many ways that this area can be utilized for recreation such as camping, hiking, fishing, picnicking, and frisbee golf. This frisbee golf course will be open to the public. It will be eighteen holes located in a forested area beside the lake. Frisbee golf is the same as regular golf except instead of clubs and balls there are Frisbees. This is a great way to enjoy a summer day. For the hikers, there are two brilliantly located overlooks at each high point on the property. Located at adjacent ends of the property these are great place for overlooks. These overlooks will enable you to see over the whole lake. This will provide a surreal experience for a family or for a single person looking for a great view.

The site is located in Lots 6 and 7 Concession 6, Cumberland Township in the Regional

Municipality of Ottawa Carleton. It is in a rural area and is approx 6 km from the heavy residential development of Ottawa East. It is located on rural Giroux Rd, that in turn is only 1 km

from Frank Kenny Road, a major north/south arterial road.The Navan Pit is 200 acres in size, and consists of two 100 acre parcels separated by Giroux Road. It was recently depleted and

is now ready for rehabilitation. There remain on site a few product stockpiles and a portion of the processing plant, all of

which will be removed by summer 2001. An access road cuts through the southern 100 acre portion. This

truck access to the quarry is to be maintained in the future. A limited portion could be relocated if important to the

development.The adjacent property to the south of the south pit, approx. 400 acres, is being operated by Lafarge as a quarry and will be very

active for the foreseeable future. There is a 100 acre buffer zone of scrub and lowland between this quarry and the south pit to be rehabilitated. The main truck access to the quarry is to the south of the quarry, however the access to the north, through the pits,

must not be jeopardized as noted above.

Lafarge purchased the site in 1986 from Laurent Leblanc Limited. The pits had been used for many years as sources of borrow and the area was considered depleted and resembled a

moonscape. Detailed analysis of the deposit was completed by Lafarge and a mining and processing plan was put in place. Over the next 10 years the site produced quality aggregates, both sand and stone. Extraction below water allowed the construction of 2 small lakes and the development of an aesthetically pleasing site

to its present condition. The site is a well used stopover in the spring and fall for migrating Canada Geese.

The surrounding uses area as follows: Agricultural land uses to the north, east and west. To the south an extractive area

consisting of a large quarry, which will remain in operation for many years (50+). There is a 100 acre buffer area of scrub and

lowland between the south pit and the quarry operation.

Green spaces are linked on either side of Giroux Rd. utilizing a passageway under the bridge.

Entrance Building

A state of the art waste water treatment system including three separate filtration areas is located on the site. These are utilized in the cleaning of all waste water from the campgrounds and other areas on the site. The first lagoon serves as a collection pond that allows sedimentation and partial breakdown through anaerobic digestion. The second pond furthers the process through aerobic digestion. Pond number three is the final processing stage which leaves the water clean and ready to enter the water cycle. There is also an overflow area which will harvest excess storm water. This whole cleansing process is accomplished by the use of phytoremediative vegetation.