For a neighbourhood packed into a relatively compact footprint between two waterways, Old Ottawa East punches well above its weight when it comes to green space and outdoor access. Whether you're a casual walker, a serious cyclist, or someone who just wants to sit by the river with a coffee, this neighbourhood delivers.
Brantwood Park
This is the crown jewel. Brantwood Park sits right along the Rideau River, offering wide-open green space, mature trees, and some of the best river views in the city. In summer, it fills with families, frisbee players, and dogs running off leash. In winter, the riverbanks take on a quieter, more contemplative quality — great for snowshoe walks or just breathing cold air beside moving water.
The park connects directly to the NCC Eastern Pathway, making it easy to string together a longer outing along the river in either direction.
NCC Eastern Pathway
The National Capital Commission's river pathways are one of Ottawa's great gifts to its residents, and the section running through Old Ottawa East is among the most scenic. The paved multi-use trail hugs the Rideau River from Brantwood Park all the way north through Strathcona Park and beyond. In winter, a portion is maintained as a cross-country ski and snowshoe trail.
Cyclists use it year-round. It's quiet, well-maintained, and far more pleasant than any road in the area.
Community Garden on Springhurst
One of Old Ottawa East's lesser-known green spaces, the Springhurst Avenue community garden is a patchwork of plots tended by neighbourhood residents. It's not a destination exactly, but walking past it in summer — all that improbable abundance in the middle of the city — is one of those small pleasures that makes living here feel worth it.
Rideau River Nature Trail
North of Brantwood, the Rideau River Nature Trail is a wilder, more rugged option compared to the NCC pathway. It weaves through a narrow strip of forest along the east bank, offering a genuine feeling of being away from the city even though you're still minutes from downtown.
Seasonal Notes
Old Ottawa East's outdoor spaces shine year-round. Summer is lush and green; fall brings exceptional foliage along the river. The NCC pathway is groomed for skiing in winter, and Brantwood Park is a favourite for tobogganing after a snowfall.
