Brewer Park
If you are looking for a place to spend a day with your family, look no further than Brewer Park. This beautiful municipal park has something for everyone, from soccer and football playing fields to baseball diamonds and even a mini waterpark. A great post ahead.
The park also houses a world-class speed skating oval and two hockey rinks in the winter.
1. Playground
Located right off Carleton University, this large park is frequented by students and local families. It has several soccer and football fields, baseball diamonds, a basketball court, an outdoor hockey arena and speed skating oval in the winter, and a huge playground, with structures that cater to both small and tall kids.
A particular favorite is the DIY splash pad, which lets children flip a switch to make water shoot through tubes and wheels. There are also plenty of swings and other play structures, including an infinity mobius climber and a circular monkey bar that rises and dips.
Another popular attraction is the wall along the Dunbar Bridge underpass, which became Ottawa’s first legal graffiti wall. Hundreds of artists gather here annually to show their creativity and get their names out in the public eye.
2. Swimming Pool
During the 1960s and 70s, Brewer Park had its own public beach that looped around a small pond. However, as we slowly realized that enclosed swimming ponds were hotbeds for pollution and bacteria, it was closed in 1971.
Today, the pond is home to a 6-lane, 25-metre public swimming pool with family programming and instruction, plus a sauna. It also features Canada’s largest legal graffiti wall under Dunbar Bridge, a popular spot for students from Carleton University who like to show off their creativity.
Since the summer of 2012, a dedicated group has been growing organic vegetables for the local community in Old Ottawa South. This garden is operated as a co-op through the collaboration of TD Friends of the Environment Fund, the Community Garden Network through Just Food Ottawa, Capital Ward Councillor David Chernushenko, the City of Ottawa, and Westboro Academy. More places to also visit by clicking here.
3. Ice Skating Rink
Across from Carleton University and adjacent to an arena-turned-COVID-19 testing center, Brewer Park’s outdoor skating rink is one of the province’s only long-track speed skating ovals. It has launched the careers of three local skaters, including Ivanie Blondin, Isabelle Weidemann, and Vincent De Haitre, who are headed to next month’s Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
Michel Rivet, head coach of the Gloucester Concordes speedskating club, can be found at the oval most days coaching his skaters or maintaining the ice. But warmer temperatures have melted the 400-meter oval’s surface, forcing maintenance crews to work around the clock. Rivet hopes the ice will be refrigerated for this weekend’s provincial championships. Otherwise, athletes will be forced to travel as far as Quebec City or Lake Placid, N.Y., to train.
4. Picnic Area
Located across from Carleton University, this beautiful park offers something for everyone. It is the perfect place to spend a day with the family, relax on one of their bike trails, or enjoy a picnic.
During the summer, this park is a playground paradise. It has structures that are perfect for toddlers (shaped like fire trucks) and big kids (with high monkey bars and different types of swings).
The park also has a lot of shady areas where you can sit and relax. They even have a few low-impact pavilions that use recycled water and solar power to run the washrooms. This is a great way to help the environment while having a nice picnic in a beautiful location. You can get food from a number of local restaurants nearby, such as Atelier, Giovanni’s Restaurant & Lounge, and EVOO Greek Kitchen.
5. Basketball Court
As every parent knows, it’s not easy to find a free outdoor place for kids to tire themselves out. But Brewer Park offers plenty of opportunities for your kids to get their energy out, including a playground, splash pad, sports fields, and clean bathrooms.
This park is located across from Carleton University and also houses a world-class speed skating oval and two smaller hockey rinks in the winter. It is also home to the annual House of Paint hip-hop festival, where graffiti artists from around the world gather under Dunbar Bridge for a block-party-style event.
Basketball coaches and players would like to see more FIBA-sized courts in the capital, especially since Ottawa’s youth are growing into the sport. Retired public servant Leo Doyle, a basketball coach and the president of the Ottawa Basketball Network, says more venues will help promote access to the game for local youth. Next article.
Driving directions from Ottawa House Painter to Brewer Park
Driving directions from Brewer Park to Commissioners Park