Fenced In Dog Parks And Where To Find Them In Ottawa

If you are a dog owner and living in Centretown, Glebe, or Westboro, you are most likely wondering where the closest fenced dog park is located. Granted, you can take your pup for a walk in your neighbourhood but sometimes they just want to run and play! Fenced dog parks are essential when you want your dog to run off-leash but still have control of the environment they are in.

Centretown

There are two fenced in dog parks located in Centretown and their locations are convenient for those that either live towards Elgin St and Frank St or Slater St and Bronson Ave.

Jack Purcell Park is located on the corner of Frank and Elgin St, down the street from the Elgin St Diner. Jack Purcell Park has two gated entrances, the first gate allows you to prepare your dog to enter the dog park or if your dog needs a break there is a water fountain for you to use and a lower spout for your dog. The second gate allows you into the park where there is lots of room for your dog to play, as well as some shaded benches and able to relax at. The park is open 6am - 10pm year round and is closed 10pm-6am year round.

Tech Wall Dog Park is located on the corner of Slater St and Bronson Ave. This dog park has lots of room for your dog to run and play, there is a single gate access into the park and two benches at the entrance. The dog park is open year round from 5am-11pm.

Glebe

Lansdowne is well known for TD Place, Whole Foods, JOEY, and the Aberdeen Pavillion, but did you know just behind Lansdowne off Queen Elizabeth Dr is a dog park? This dog park has lots of room for your dog to run, roam, and play and several water fountains at your disposal. The dog park is open year round, 7 days a week.

Westboro

If you are driving west on the Queensway just after the Island Park off ramp is the Hampton Dog Run Park. You can access the dog park from Sebring Ave that leads into Parkview Rd. This large dog park is fenced in and is accessible 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Are there any others that we should add? Let us know.

Wading Pools 2019

Summer is fast approaching and what better way to spend some of the summer holiday than at a pool!

It’s not always easy to navigate where a wading pool is located, what time they are open, and what days they are closed. We narrowed down wading pools designated to four districts to help save time.

Centretown

St Lukes Park - 166 Frank St
Open: July 2nd - August 27th 2019.
Hours: Monday 11am-6pm, Tuesday 12pm-7pm, Thursday Noon - 7pm
Closed: Wednesdays and Fridays

McNabb Park - 435 Bronson Ave
Open: July 2nd - August 27th 2019.
Hours: Monday 11am-6pm, Tuesday 12pm - 6pm, Wednesday 12pm-7pm, Friday 11am - 6pm
Closed: Thursdays

Sandy Hill

Sandy Hill Park - 250 Somerset St
Open: July 2nd - August 27th, 2019.
Hours: Monday 11am - 6pm, Tuesday 12pm - 7pm, Wednesday 12pm - 7pm, Friday 11am - 6pm.
Closed: Thursdays

Strathcona Park - 25 Range Rd - Sandy Hill
Open: June 27th - August 27th 2019
Hours: Tuesday 12pm - 7pm, Wednesday 12pm -7pm, Thursday 12pm - 7pm, Friday 12pm - 6pm
Closed: Mondays

Little Italy

Chaudiere Park - 68 Elm St
Open: June 27th - August 27th 2019
Hours: Monday 11am-6pm, Tuesday 12pm - 7pm, Wednesday 12pm-7pm, Thursday 12pm - 7pm
Closed: Fridays

Hintonburg

Reid Park
Open: June 27 - August 27th 2019
Hours: Monday 11am - 6pm, Tuesday Closed, Wednesday 12pm -7pm, Thursday 12pm -7pm,
Closed: Fridays

Westboro

Lion’s Park - 294 Elmgrove Ave
Open: July 2nd - August 27th 2019
Hours: Monday 11am - 6pm, Tuesday 12pm - 7pm, Wednesday 12pm - 7pm, Thursday 12pm - 7pm, Friday 12pm - 7pm

Iona Park - 223 Iona St
Open: July 2nd - August 27th 2019
Hours: Tuesday 12pm - 7pm, Wednesday 12pm - 7pm, Thursday 12pm -7pm, Friday 12pm -6pm
Closed: Mondays

Hampton Park - 645 Parkview Rd
Open: June 27th  - August 27th 2019
Hours: Monday 11am - 6pm, Tuesday 12pm - 7pm, Wednesday 12pm - 7pm, Thursday 12pm - 7pm, Friday 11am - 6pm.

There are currently two staggered starting dates for wading pools to extend weeks of operation across Ottawa; June 27th - August 22nd 2019 and July 2nd - August 27th, 2019.

Condos + Babies: Interview With Sam

We sat down with Sam Hetz who is the Owner and Medical Director at Concept Medical to ask him about his first hand experience with having and then raising his daughter while living in their condo. Sam and his wife Hana, raised their daughter Ava in a 1057 sqft two bedroom two bathroom hard loft in Hintonburg.

Hana, Sam, and Hana

What are some of the biggest issues you had raising Ava in the condo? How were you able to overcome them?

We actually found it a total breeze. Given we had two bedrooms, it made it easier than what I think it would have been if we had a smaller space. The only concern we had was that we have a loft-style condo, with open spaces at the top of the door way, which means sounds travel very easily! In the end, this was actually a benefit, as Ava got use to having ambient noice, and now sleeps through anything! Now that Ava is almost 3 years old, we have found that she is expanding her real-estate and taking over more of the condo.  

Babies take up a lot of space, how did you cope? Any tricks?

The first thing would be to buy what you NEED not what you think you’ll need. Babies, especially in the first 6 months really only require the basics. Loading up your condo with extras is a sure way to fill up your space - and stretch the budget. Second, is organize - we installed a closet organizer (thanks, Ikea) which maximized our storage space. As well, we purchased a crib that has an attached changing table and numerous drawers, and internal shelves which allows us to tuck away diapers, etc… 

You live in an open loft, how did you handle noise and keeping things quiet or getting sleep yourselves?

Honestly, this was a non-issue for us (see question 1). At first it was a major concern of ours. However, I think if your baby gets use to surrounding noise, they become use to it, and are able to fall asleep.  

What did you need and what did you waste your money on?

One of the best things we received as a gift was a Diaper Gene. So worth it! It takes up very little room, and kept our condo smelling fresh! If you’re not fortunate to receive one as a gift, it’s worth the buy. I would say the one disappointing buy was a Jolly Jumper. It DID take up a lot of space, and our daughter out grew it really quickly. Given the set up/take down in the condo, I likely wouldn’t buy another one unless we had more space. Oh, and being in a condo we really had NO need for a baby monitor (although we did buy one as well). 

Did you raise, or do you know someone who raised their child in a small space? We would love to talk to them - we want to help expecting parents with things that can help them with this upcoming transition! Click the button and fill out the form below!

CLICK HERE

Condos and Babies

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