Living in the Dow's Lake area: questions, answered
Answers to 31 questions people ask about living in and buying in the Dow's Lake area: neighbourhoods, schools, the O-Train, prices, walkability, parks and shops. Each answer comes first, then the detail, the sources and the date it is current to.
Updated · Facts on this page link to their sources
- Neighbourhoods 5
- Schools 3
- Commute & O-Train 4
- Prices & market 1
- Walkability & errands 1
- Parks & outdoors 6
- Shops & dining 2
- Safety & services 1
- History 4
- Who it suits 4
Neighbourhoods
5What are homes like in Dow's Lake?
In the 2021 census, the ONS 'Glebe - Dows Lake' area had 6,885 private dwellings. About 27.6% were single-detached houses, 29.4% were apartments in buildings under five storeys and 22.7% were apartments in buildings of five or more storeys.
As of 2021 · ons-sqo.ca ons-sqo.ca
Where is the Dow's Lake neighbourhood and what are its boundaries?
Wikipedia describes the Dow's Lake neighbourhood as the area north of the Rideau Canal, east of Dow's Lake, south of Carling Avenue and west of Bronson Avenue. It falls within the wider Glebe area and has its own Dow's Lake Residents Association.
As of 2026-10 · en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org
How many people live in Dow's Lake?
The ONS 'Glebe - Dows Lake' area had 13,565 residents and 6,885 private dwellings in the 2021 census. Average household size was 2.1.
As of 2021 · ons-sqo.ca
Who lives in Dow's Lake? Age, income and language
In the 2021 census, the ONS 'Glebe - Dows Lake' area had a median age of 41.2, and 11.8% of residents were children aged 0 to 14. Average after-tax income among recipients was $66,500 in 2020.
As of 2021 · ons-sqo.ca
Is Dow's Lake part of the Glebe?
Wikipedia includes the Dow's Lake neighbourhood in its description of the Glebe, alongside the Glebe Annex. The Ottawa Neighbourhood Study uses a combined 'Glebe - Dows Lake' area.
As of 2026-10 · en.wikipedia.org ons-sqo.ca
Schools
3What schools serve Dow's Lake?
No school sits on the lake itself. The nearest board-run schools listed on OpenStreetMap are Glebe Collegiate Institute (secondary, 212 Glebe Avenue) and Mutchmor Public School (elementary, 185 Fifth Avenue), both Ottawa-Carleton District School Board. Corpus Christi School (798 Lyon Street South) is Ottawa Catholic School Board, and École élémentaire publique Louise Arbour (175 Beech Street) is French-language, Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario.
As of 2026-10 · glebe.ocdsb.ca mutchmorps.ocdsb.ca
Which high schools are near Dow's Lake?
Glebe Collegiate Institute (212 Glebe Avenue, Ottawa-Carleton District School Board) is the closest secondary school mapped, about 0.8 km from the area centre in a straight line. Adult High School and the Family Reception Centre, both at 300 Rochester Street, are also Ottawa-Carleton District School Board.
As of 2026-10 · glebe.ocdsb.ca openstreetmap.org
Are there Catholic or French-language schools near Dow's Lake?
Yes. Ottawa Catholic School Board elementary schools nearby include Corpus Christi School (798 Lyon Street South) and St. Anthony School (391 Booth Street). École élémentaire publique Louise Arbour (175 Beech Street) is a French-language elementary school run by the Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario.
As of 2026-10 · cch.ocsb.ca san.ocsb.ca
Commute & O-Train
4How far is Dow's Lake from downtown Ottawa?
Parliament Hill is about 3.2 km in a straight line from the Dow's Lake area centre. By road it is about 4.0 km, roughly 8 minutes in free-flowing traffic.
As of 2026-10 · router.project-osrm.org openstreetmap.org
What is the nearest O-Train station to Dow's Lake?
Dow's Lake station (listed on OpenStreetMap as Dow's Lake / Lac Dow) is the nearest O-Train station. It is open and sits about 0.7 km north-west of the area centre in a straight line.
As of 2026-10 · openstreetmap.org openstreetmap.org
How many transit stops are near Dow's Lake?
The ONS reports an average of 13.5 transit stops within a 600 m walk in the 'Glebe - Dows Lake' area. Dow's Lake O-Train station is open nearby.
As of 2026-10 · ons-sqo.ca openstreetmap.org
How do people in Dow's Lake get to work?
In the 2021 census, 55.4% of workers in the ONS 'Glebe - Dows Lake' area commuted by car, truck or van and 8.8% commuted by public transit. 55.1% of workers worked at home.
As of 2021 · ons-sqo.ca
Prices & market
1Do most people rent or own in Dow's Lake, and where are market figures?
In the 2021 census, 51.3% of households in the ONS 'Glebe - Dows Lake' area rented and 48.7% owned. About 14.4% of dwellings were condominiums.
As of 2021 · ons-sqo.ca
Walkability & errands
1Is Dow's Lake walkable?
The ONS reports an average Walk Score of 48.85 for the 'Glebe - Dows Lake' area. Transit stops average 13.5 within a 600 m walk.
As of 2026-10 · ons-sqo.ca openstreetmap.org
Parks & outdoors
6What 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
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
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
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
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
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
Shops & dining
2Where do people in Dow's Lake buy groceries?
The nearest grocery stores mapped on OpenStreetMap are on Bank Street in the Glebe: Metro (754 Bank Street), Il Negozio Nicastro (792 Bank Street) and Whole Foods Market (951 Bank Street). Each is roughly 1.4 km in a straight line from the Dow's Lake area centre.
As of 2026-10 · openstreetmap.org openstreetmap.org
What everyday shops are near Dow's Lake?
Bank Street in the Glebe has Home Hardware (736 Bank Street) and several bakeries, including La Brioche Pastry & Bakery, Ichiban Bakery and Wild Oat Bakery. Preston Hardware is at 248 Preston Street, and Winners is at 225 Marché Way.
As of 2026-10 · openstreetmap.org openstreetmap.org
Safety & services
1Are there pharmacies and clinics near Dow's Lake?
OpenStreetMap lists Restore Medical Clinic (486 Bronson Avenue) and Restore Medical Pharmacy (786 Bronson Avenue). It also lists Family Naturopathic Clinic (265 Carling Avenue), The Ottawa Clinic (343 Preston Street) and Whole Health Pharmacy (857 A Bank Street).
As of 2026-10 · openstreetmap.org openstreetmap.org
History
4Why is it called Dow's Lake?
The lake is named after Abram Dow, an American-born settler who owned land in the area in 1816. Before the Rideau Canal was built, the area was known as Dow's Great Swamp.
As of 2026-10 · en.wikipedia.org
How has the Dow's Lake area changed since 1900?
Until 1928, the parkland and part of the residential area east of the lake were rail-served lumber piling yards, and the area north of Carling Avenue was mostly industrial. HMCS Carleton's reserve barracks beside the Dows Lake Pavilion opened in 1943.
As of 2026-10 · en.wikipedia.org churcher.crcml.org
Why was Carling station renamed Dows Lake station?
According to Wikipedia, Carling Station was renamed Dows Lake Station when O-Train Line 2 reopened in January 2025, after several years of construction work. The lake is about 300 metres from the station.
As of 2026-10 · en.wikipedia.org openstreetmap.org
What is The Man with Two Hats statue near Dow's Lake?
The Man with Two Hats is a 4.6-metre sculpture by Henk Visch beside the lake. It commemorates the role of the Canadian Armed Forces in the liberation of the Netherlands.
As of 2026-10 · en.wikipedia.org vac-acc.gc.ca
Who it suits
4Is Dow's Lake a good place to live?
Dow's Lake sits beside the Rideau Canal in central Ottawa, about 4 km by road from Parliament Hill, and its O-Train station is open. The Ottawa Neighbourhood Study's 'Glebe - Dows Lake' area had 13,565 residents in the 2021 census, and 51.3% of households rented. Whether it suits you depends on what you need, so here are the facts.
As of 2026-10 · ons-sqo.ca router.project-osrm.org
Is Dow's Lake good for families with children?
In the 2021 census, 11.8% of residents in the ONS 'Glebe - Dows Lake' area were aged 0 to 14, and average household size was 2.1. Mutchmor Public School, Corpus Christi School and Glebe Collegiate Institute are all mapped in the Glebe, and the Glebe Community Centre is at 175 Third Avenue.
As of 2026-10 · ons-sqo.ca mutchmorps.ocdsb.ca
Is Dow's Lake a good place to rent?
In the 2021 census, 51.3% of households in the ONS 'Glebe - Dows Lake' area rented. About 52% of dwellings were apartments (29.4% in buildings under five storeys and 22.7% in buildings of five or more).
As of 2021 · ons-sqo.ca openstreetmap.org
Is Carleton University near Dow's Lake?
Yes. Wikipedia places Carleton University at the southern end of Dow's Lake. Carleton O-Train station, about 1.1 km south of the area centre in a straight line, is open.
As of 2026-10 · en.wikipedia.org openstreetmap.org