Stittsville Rotarians met in-person on July 21, 2020 for the first time since the pandemic was declared in March 2020. Following Covid-19 guidelines, together they cleaned up the W.J. Bell Rotary Peace Park at 1751 Stittsville Main Street, pulling weeds and making the park like new again.
Back in 2015, the Rotary Club of Ottawa-Stittsville, in partnership with the City of Ottawa and its Better Neighborhoods Program, installed the 27’ brick labyrinth with a huge Rotary logo at the center. Engraved bricks along the pathway recognized donations made in memory of loved ones.
Five years ago, the Rotary Club undertook this community project to create an inclusive, non-denominational park space that provides an easy way for people to meditate and relax. The park also has several accessible paths for walkers, wheelchairs and strollers. Native plant and shrubs complement both treed areas and open spaces.
The park was named in recognition of the extensive community service of W. J. Bell. He had donated the park land with the aim that it be enjoyed for generations to come. While not a Rotarian himself, Bell’s next of kin, Grace Bell, is a charter member of the Rotary Club of Ottawa-Stittsville. Bell’s family and the Rotary Club of Ottawa-Stittsville brought forward the name change to reflect the objectives of encouraging and fostering peace. Approved by the City of Ottawa Council on February 22, 2017, the proposed name, “W. J. Bell Rotary Peace Park”, reflects the aims of the peace park, while continuing to commemorate W. J. Bell himself.