Canada's Most Walkable City: Ottawa

by Tom Gierasimczuk

February 1st, 2010

Ottawa, Ontario was ranked the seventh most walkable city in Canada in 2009. Check out the insider's walking tour with a map to direct you

If only more Canadians actually listened to their capital city, the nation would be better off—at least when it comes to summer strolling. "The sheer number of pedestrian-only zones should shame other big cities," says Matthew Blackett, a Walkable Cities 2009 judge.

"The city opens more than 50 km of roads to people—and closes them to cars—in the summer where locals and visitors walk, run, skate and bike," says Walkable Cities judge Guillermo Penalosa.

A local favourite is the opening of an entire street next to the Rideau Canal to cyclists and pedestrians on summer Sundays.

With nearly 1,600 km of sidewalk (generous at a minimum of 1.83 m wide) and 300-plus km of pathways brushing by the city's historic and cultural bounty. Ottawa was built for walkers.

The Ottawa Pedestrian Plan, intended to facilitate more people to walk more often, should be ready by fall.

The city would have finished higher if it wasn't for the epic winter snow cover and minus-20 highs in winter.

Insider Matthew Blackett's Ottawa Walking Tour

Matthew Blackett is the publisher, creative director and co-founder of Spacing magazine.

Distance: 6 km
Time: 30 - 90 minutes

Map

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Carleton University
1125 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, Ontario
Since the older parts of Ottawa adhere to the north-south or east-west grid, it's hard to get lost in the city. But the majestic greenery that spans either side of the meandering Rideau Canal allows you an escape from traffic and urban life. Starting at the north end of Carleton University campus.
http://www.carleton.ca
Lansdowne Park
1015 Bank St. , Ottawa, Ontario
Walking northeast on the canal pathway, you'll go through through Lansdowne Park and the under-appreciated Frank Clair Stadium.
http://www.lansdownepark.ca
University of Ottawa
11 Marie-Curie Pvt., Ottawa, Ontario
On the west side of the canal you can wander back into neighbourhoods such as the Glebe or, on the east side, into the grounds of the University of Ottawa.
http://www.uottawa.ca
Confederation Park
Wellington St., Ottawa, Ontario
If you don't stray from the canal's path, you'll eventually end up at Confederation Park and the soaring Parliament Hill.

Contributors

Tom Gierasimczuk

Tom Gierasimczuk is the editor of up! magazine. His work has appeared in a variety of publications, including the Globe and Mail, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer and OutPost magazine. He's based in Victoria, B.C.

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