Parks and Play

A large waterfront park on the Ottawa River with ponds, open lawns, riverside paths and plenty of geese and ducks, one of the few City parks with designated charcoal barbecue pits. In winter it is the western start of the Britannia Winter Trail toward Mud Lake. Like all City parks it is open daily from 5 am to 11 pm, and entry is free.

The public park around the historic Aberdeen Pavilion, with a children's play area, skate park, water plaza, civic gardens, a heirloom orchard and an outdoor skating court that becomes a refrigerated rink in winter. The park is open daily from 5 am to 11 pm and is free to enjoy, with free markets and events often on the square. The Great Lawn and the sledding hill are closed until further notice.

A classic City of Ottawa park in Sandy Hill on the west bank of the Rideau River, with big lawns, mature trees and riverside paths, lovely in every season including snowy winter walks. Like all City parks it is open daily from 5 am to 11 pm. Entry is free.

A large wooded park along the Rideau River with walking paths, open lawns and picnic areas for small informal gatherings. It is open daily from May to mid October, 7 am to dusk, on a first come, first served basis; there is no drinking water for now. Visiting the park is free, and in winter a shared winter trail runs along the river nearby.

A riverside park on the north shore of the Ottawa River between the Chaudières Dam and Lemieux Island, named for the historic canoe portage around the falls. Brewery Creek flows through it, two public artworks stand on the site and the dam is in view. It is a free park, a good stop on a walk or ride along the Gatineau riverfront.

A green space designed with the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg and the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan, whose name means "Come on in! All are welcome here!" Sculpted landforms, interpretive panels and public art share Anishinabe values about harmony between land, water, air and people. It sits beside Kichi Zībī Mīkan near LeBreton Flats and is free to visit.

One of the first parks created in the capital, dating back to 1905, set around a quiet creek that flows into the Rideau Canal. Its paths link directly to the canal and are popular with runners, walkers and cyclists, and a heritage pavilion overlooks the water. The park is free and open to all; a seasonal bistro operates in summer.

A rare, well preserved 19th century walled garden beside a heritage stone house, replanted from historical records. It is open for quiet enjoyment from dawn to dusk during the growing season (April to October) and during tulip season; part of the garden is closed for work until 2027. Entry is free; there are no public washrooms and parking is on the street.

A new waterfront park on former industrial land beside the Chaudières Falls, on the Voyageurs Pathway in the heart of Gatineau. It looks across the Ottawa River toward Parliament Hill and sits close to the Canadian Museum of History, Jacques-Cartier Park and Kìwekì Point. It is a free public space to relax by the river and learn about its cultural landscape.

A small island park in the middle of the Ottawa River, reached from the Champlain Bridge, known for its sunsets, sunrises and river views. It has picnic areas, river access points, accessible washrooms and a two hour parking lot open 7 am to 10 pm. It is also a key stopover for migrating waterbirds. Entry to the park is free; the snack stand and tubing rentals are paid extras.

This 4 km² nature park follows both banks of the rivière Etchemin from the St. Lawrence to Saint-Jean-Chrysostome. With the Sentiers La Balade it offers trails for walking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, mountain and fat biking, a winter sliding area and a 5 km multi use path along the river. Free to enter, with a main entrance at 2686, rue de l'Abbaye.

Near the bridges, this park shows off the 35 m Chaudière Falls, which you can watch from a suspended footbridge 23 m above the river or from several lookouts. There are 4.5 km of trails with interpretive panels, picnic areas and an outdoor fitness circuit. Free, open daily from 5 AM to 10:59 PM, with free parking at 3300, rue du Parc-des-Chutes (Charny) and 1930, route des Rivières (Saint-Nicolas).