Green Events in Ottawa June 2 and 3, 2012

Written by guest blogger Denise Deby, who writes on local and global social and environmental issues.

Capital Vélo Fest 2012

For the second year, Capital Vélo Fest is hitting Ottawa streets, to promote cycling in our city. On Saturday, June 2 at Ottawa City Hall (11 a.m.-5 p.m.), there’ll be bicycle rodeos, games like bike polo and “bike limbo,” displays of bike products, helmet and bike checks, bike-powered fruit smoothies, and more. From 5-11 p.m. is the Tour la Nuit, a night-time bike ride from City Hall to the Experimental Farm and back (streets will be closed). On Sunday, festival activities will continue in Brantwood Park (10 a.m.-1 p.m.) and Hintonburg (6 p.m.)

Capital Vélo Fest was established last year as a non-profit corporation that aims to “inspire people of all ages to ride a bike more often.” The Festival may still need volunteers; you can contact them via their website.

Spring Give Away Weekend, Garage and Plant Sales Galore

On June 2 and 3 the City of Ottawa is holding Give Away Weekend to encourage residents to set out their unwanted household items at the curb for others to take. The City suggests you mark items as “free” when you put them out. Check their website for other tips as well as what not to include.

Several communities, including Hintonburg, Westboro and Carlington, are holding garage sales on June 2.

Also not to miss: the Fletcher Wildlife Garden’s Annual Native Plant Sale on Saturday, June 2, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Prince of Wales Drive south of the Arboretum. Volunteers will be on hand to offer advice.

Doors Open Ottawa

This weekend is Doors Open Ottawa, a great opportunity to tour buildings that are normally closed to the public. Several of the sites this year are “green buildings,” including the Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence that features a five-storey biowall made of plants, Ashbury College with “Canada’s first teaching green roof,” the Beaver Barracks with Canada’s largest residential geothermal exchange system, and the landscaped roof of the C.D. Howe building. You can also tour the Britannia Water Treatment Plant and the Robert O. Pickard wastewater treatment centre. What’s more, there’s a free shuttle bus between downtown sites. Check the website for details, opening and closing times.