While January brings cold temperatures, ice, and snow, it’s also a perfect time to get out and enjoy some winter activities in your neighbourhood. Bay Ward residents are spoiled for choice when it comes to winter activities; whether it’s tobogganing, cross country skiing, or skating on one of the many outdoor rinks. See below for a list of some of our favourite rinks and trails. Don’t see your rink listed? Send us an email at bayward@ottawa.ca and we’ll be sure to feature it in an upcoming issue.
Cross-Country Ski Trails:
- Britannia Winter Trail: Offering nearly 20 kilometers of groomed pathways. Centered in Britannia Park, Ottawa, the trail extends east along the multi-use recreational pathway (Trans-Canada Trail) to the Deschenes Rapids parking lot and west through Andrew Hayden Park. It runs along the multi-use path adjacent to the Ottawa River, passing near the Belltown Dome.
- Ottawa West Winter Trail: This free multi-use trail in the west end of Ottawa, is available for x-country skiing, snowshoeing, walking, and fat-biking. Its main co-funders are the NCC and the City of Ottawa. It is groomed and maintained by the Kanata Nordic Ski Club.
Outdoor Rinks:
- McKellar Park (539 Wavell Avenue)
- Woodroffe Park (180 Lockhart Avenue)
- Evergreen Park (906 Denison Crescent)
- Kingsmere Park (2074 Benjamin Avenue)
- Whitehaven/George C. Brown Park (970 Parkhaven Avenue)
- Frank Ryan Park (950 Alpine Avenue)
- Ruth Wildgen Park (1099 Grenon Avenue)
- Lincoln Heights Park (2625 Regina Street)
- Britannia Park (West Side of the park, near Dr. FJ McDonald School- 2860 Ahearn Avenue) New this year!
- Bayshore Park (175 Woodridge Crescent)
- Lakeview Park (62 A Horner Drive)
- Maki Park (19 Leeming Drive)
- Barry Mullen Park (152 Grandview Road)
Visit the City of Ottawa website for a map featuring most of the city’s outdoor rinks.
Thank you to the volunteers who maintain these trails and rinks!
All of these fabulous winter trails and rinks exist because dedicated volunteers take time to maintain them. If you’d like to support these groups, here are some ways you can help:
- Learn more about volunteering at an outdoor rink.
- Volunteer with or donate to the Britannia Winter Trail.
- Volunteer with or donate to the Ottawa West Winter Trail.
Ottawa Outdoor Gear Library
If you’re interested in trying some of these activities for the first time, check out the Ottawa Outdoor Gear Library for FREE rentals of skates, cross country skis, and other winter essentials.
Send us a picture of outdoor winter fun!
If you’d like your local rink or ski trail to be featured in an upcoming issue of the Bay Ward Bulletin, please send us a photo with the subject line: “Winter Fun: Bay Ward Bulletin”. We’re looking forward to seeing how Bay Ward residents are embracing winter this year!
