Kìwekì Point re-envisions a dramatic public realm landscape on a clifftop promontory overlooking the Ottawa River with striking views of Ottawa’s skyline and the Parliament Buildings. The project was won through a 2017 International Design Competition led by JRS. JRS was then subsequently engaged by the National Capital Commission (NCC) to lead a multidisciplinary team through design and construction of the project. The project involved extensive consultation with stakeholders and First Nations and has integrated collected feedback meaningfully throughout the design.

The park provides universal accessibility, enhanced views, compelling interpretation, sculptural elements, a diverse and native-species based plant and tree strategy, and a new pedestrian bridge that connects to Major’s Hill Park and beyond. The design includes an architectural feature called Whispering Point, and a myriad of walkways through a meadow landscape which provides two levels of unobstructed views of the Capital Region. An interpretation plan focuses on telling the story of the “Big River Landscape” through nature and art, using the landscape features of the site and their integral relationship to the Ottawa River. A dynamic lighting strategy adds to the character of the space, casting a welcoming glow and facilitating use of the space for a flexible range of events. Sustainable and resilient design strategies have been woven through all aspects of the design including an innovative Ha-Ha feature, meadow planting and silva cells that perform integral ecological and stormwater management duties.

The park, formerly called Nepean Point, was renamed through the process to ‘Kìwekì’ an Algonquin word that conveys the notion of “returning to one’s homeland.” Kìwekì Point reflects a complex and rewarding collaborative design process to maintain the original design ambitions while aligning with stakeholder input, and complex budget and scope updates.

Media Coverage  

‘Meet Kìwekì Point — NCC unveils completed new look for former Nepean Point’ – CBC News, Sept 2024
‘Controversial ‘scout’ statue gets new name, place of pride in NCC park’ – Randy Boswell, Ottawa Citizen, Nov 29, 2024
‘Nepean Point next to the national gallery renamed Kìwekì Point’ – CBC News, Oct 04, 2022