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Guide · Parks & trails

Parks & trails

The lake, the canal and the park around them are the centre of the neighbourhood. Nearby are the Dominion Arboretum, Glebe parks and a few city rinks.

30 parks, beaches, pathways and recreation places are mapped in the Dow's Lake area: 17 parks, 0 beaches, 0 pathways and trails and 7 recreation centres and libraries.

Updated · Facts on this page link to their sources

In May, Commissioners Park beside the lake shows tulips planted by the National Capital Commission for the Canadian Tulip Festival. Wikipedia says there are more than 50 varieties and about 300,000 tulips. In winter the lake freezes and becomes part of the Rideau Canal skateway, and it is one of the main Winterlude sites in February.

A pavilion at the north end of the lake rents canoes, kayaks and paddle boats, and Wikipedia says it is open year-round. The Dominion Arboretum lies west of the lake at the edge of the Central Experimental Farm. Queen Elizabeth Driveway runs along the north and west sides of the lake and Colonel By Drive along the south.

In winter the lake freezes and becomes part of the world's longest skating rink, according to Wikipedia.

Map

Parks, rinks and the canal

Parks & trails in the Dow's Lake area
Parks & trails in the Dow's Lake area · Distances are straight-line from the marked centre. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
  1. 1Commissioners Park240 m
  2. 2Senator Eugene Forsey Park360 m
  3. 3Dominion Arboretum490 m
  4. 4Capital Park800 m
  5. 5McCann Park800 m
  6. 6Ornamental Gardens840 m
  7. 7Dalhousie South Park840 m
  8. 8Tennis Centre890 m
  9. 9Brown's Inlet Park900 m
  10. 10Ev Tremblay Park950 m
  11. 11Fletcher Wildlife Gardens950 m
  12. 12Fieldhouse1.0 km
  13. 13Brewer Arena1.1 km
  14. 14Athletics Building1.1 km
  15. 15Fifth Avenue Parkette1.1 km
  16. 16Glebe Memorial Park1.1 km
  17. 17Glebe Community Centre1.1 km
  18. 18Norm Fenn Gym1.2 km
  19. 19Canadensis1.2 km
  20. 20Brewer Park1.3 km
  21. 21Piazza Dante Park1.3 km
  22. 22Alumni Park1.4 km
  23. 23Chamberlain Park1.4 km
  24. 24Ottawa Tennis Club1.4 km

Neighbourhood parks

23

Recreation centres & libraries

7
Questions people ask

Quick answers

Short answers first; each links to the full answer and its sources.

All 31 questions

  1. What parks are near Dow's Lake?

    Commissioners Park, Senator Eugene Forsey Park (964 Bronson Avenue) and Dalhousie South Park (343 Bell Street South) are mapped beside the Dow's Lake area. Dominion Arboretum, Ornamental Gardens and Fletcher Wildlife Gardens lie to the south.

    As of 2026-10 · openstreetmap.org openstreetmap.org

  2. How green is Dow's Lake?

    The ONS reports tree canopy cover of 25.9% (2024) in the 'Glebe - Dows Lake' area. Residential parkland coverage is 18.15%.

    As of 2026-10 · ons-sqo.ca en.wikipedia.org

  3. Where are the tulips at Dow's Lake?

    Commissioners Park, beside Dow's Lake, shows tulips planted by the National Capital Commission each May for the Canadian Tulip Festival. Wikipedia reports more than 50 varieties and about 300,000 tulips.

    As of 2026-10 · en.wikipedia.org canada.ca

  4. Can you skate on Dow's Lake in winter?

    Yes, according to Wikipedia, Dow's Lake freezes in winter and becomes part of the Rideau Canal skateway, billed as the world's longest skating rink. It is also one of the primary sites of the Winterlude festival in February.

    As of 2026-10 · en.wikipedia.org

  5. Can you rent a canoe or paddle boat at Dow's Lake?

    Yes. Wikipedia lists rentals of canoes, kayaks and paddle boats, plus boat mooring, at the Dows Lake Pavilion on the northern end of the lake. The pavilion is privately run and open year-round.

    As of 2026-10 · en.wikipedia.org dowslake.com

  6. What recreation facilities are near Dow's Lake?

    The Glebe Community Centre (175 Third Avenue) and the Royal Canadian Navy Curling Club (41 Navy Private) are mapped near the lake. Brewer Park has Brewer Pool and Brewer Arena (100 and 151 Brewer Way) to the south-east.

    As of 2026-10 · openstreetmap.org openstreetmap.org

Sources for this page (30)
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