Residents of Old Ottawa South are rejoicing over the installation of new signage that narrates the tale of an ancient boulder discovered in their neighborhood during the COVID-19 pandemic city work. During an unveiling ceremony at Windsor Park, Bellwood Avenue resident Gauri Sreenivasan expressed the significance of the newly erected sign, emphasizing its role in public education and engagement.
The signage details the journey of the massive erratic, dubbed the “Bellwood Boulder,” which was carried to the area by glaciers approximately 10,000 years ago. The boulder remained hidden beneath Bellwood Avenue until April 2021 when it was unearthed while water pipes were being replaced.
Amidst the pandemic lockdown, Sreenivasan and fellow residents found solace in the giant rock, which became a gathering spot for the community. Despite initial plans to crush the boulder for removal, residents, led by Sreenivasan, advocated for its preservation, citing its historical value and its ability to unite the neighborhood during a time of isolation.
Following residents’ appeals to the local city councilor, the boulder was delicately lifted by a crane and relocated to Windsor Park. Lindsay Suthren, an attendee at the unveiling event, expressed her excitement over the unexpected discovery in her former Bellwood residence.
Sreenivasan hopes that visitors, upon reading the sign, will grasp the strength of community unity in saving the rock from destruction. She emphasized the lesson in the sign about the influential force of community action and the positive outcomes it can achieve.