Stittsville's Best Parks, Trails and Outdoor Spaces
One of Stittsville's best-kept secrets — though locals already know — is how easy it is to get outside here. The neighbourhood sits at the intersection of suburban Ottawa and the Greenbelt's western edge, which means trails, green corridors, and open space are woven into the fabric of daily life.
Trans Canada Trail
The Trans Canada Trail cuts right through Stittsville, offering a multi-use path that connects residents to a network stretching far beyond Ottawa. In summer, cyclists, joggers, and walkers use it daily. In winter, it becomes a cross-country skiing and fat-biking corridor. The access points through Stittsville are well-maintained and easy to reach from most of the neighbourhood.
Poole Creek Pathway
The Poole Creek Pathway is Stittsville's local gem — a greenbelt corridor winding through the heart of the neighbourhood that most visitors to Ottawa never see. It connects parks, playgrounds, and natural areas along the creek, making it ideal for a quiet morning walk or an after-school bike ride with kids. The pathway feels surprisingly wild in places, especially where the creek widens.
Goulbourn Forced Road Greenbelt Access
Stittsville's western edge borders National Capital Commission Greenbelt land, giving residents quick access to forested trails and open fields. These aren't heavily promoted, but they're exactly the kind of places that make you glad you live here — quiet, uncrowded, and genuinely natural.
Local Parks Worth Knowing
- Harold Fisher Park — one of the neighbourhood's larger community parks, with sports fields, a splash pad in summer, and easy parking
- Fairwinds-area parks — the newer subdivisions on Stittsville's edge include well-designed community green spaces with paths connecting to the broader trail network
- Westport Village green spaces — similar story on the southern edge, with manicured parks that families use year-round
Seasonal Highlights
- Winter: Trans Canada Trail grooming for skiing, ice on Poole Creek when conditions are right, Greenbelt snowshoeing
- Spring: Creek paths come alive as snow melts; best mud-season walking is along the Greenbelt edges
- Summer: Splash pad season, cycling, evening walks along the pathway
- Fall: Poole Creek corridor turns brilliant in October — the best colours in this part of Ottawa
Stittsville's outdoor infrastructure is one of the most underrated parts of living on Ottawa's west end. It doesn't announce itself loudly, but it's there every day.
