One of the most desirable neighbourhoods in our nation’s capital is Island Park. Conveniently located just west of downtown Ottawa, the Island Park neighbourhood has tons of great assets for the well-rounded resident.
Recreation
Island Park is a great neighbourhood for anyone who enjoys the outdoors. Scenic tree-lined Hampton Park is the central park, with nice walking paths that are great for a stroll with the dog. Fisher Park, with its great youth sports activities and winter skating rink, is also nearby. The Ottawa River is just around the corner, and the path which winds along the river is a great place to go biking or rollerblading. A quick drive down Island Park Drive across the Champlain Bridge takes you into Quebec, where the beauty of Gatineau Park is only a stone’s throw away.
Shopping
Island Park is the dividing point between two of Ottawa’s hippest shopping neighbourhoods, Westboro and West Wellington. A quick walk for a couple blocks to the west, and you have access to a grocery store, pharmacy, and coffee shops, but also local neighbourhood charms. The Village Cafe offers contemporary comfort food, Truffle Treasures is a must for chocolate lovers, and there are lots of great outdoor shops like Mountain Equipment Co-Op and the Expedition Shoppe. West Wellington is even closer, and features Tall Tree Cycles, and a couple of Ottawa grocery staples, Herb and Spice and the Bagelshop.
Scenic
Island Park is a beautiful neighbourhood. Aside from the commercial strip on Richmond Road, is a very residential neighbourhood with large homes on generous lots. The homes were mostly built in the 1920s through 1940s, although new builds are becoming more popular. Island Park Drive itself is a scenic and winding road that runs from Westgate Mall and the Queensway at the south end to Champlain Bridge on the north end. It features architecturally unique and aesthetically pleasing homes, and Island Park homes could never be described as cookie cutter.
Transit
Island Park neighbourhood is well-served by transit. It is close to the Queensway, which allows quick access to all ends of the city. OC Transpo bus routes 2 and 16 run through the neighbourhood, and the Transitway station Tunney’s Pasture is located close by. However, Island Park Drive itself does not allow bus traffic nor commercial trucks. Island Park Drive also intersects with the Sir John A. MacDonald Parkway at its north end, which offers a scenic route toward downtown.
Central
Aside from being a beautiful and quiet neighbourhood with large houses and nice property sizes, one of the main benefits of the Island Park neighbourhood is its central location. Within minutes, you can be downtown. The Canadian War Museum is very close, and most other Ottawa-area museums (Nature, Civilization/History) are easily accessed. The Civic Hospital is nearby and the Royal Ottawa Hospital is within walking distance. In addition to the shops of Westboro and West Wellington, Westgate Mall is at the south end of Island Park and Carlingwood Mall is a short drive away. With close access to the Queensway and a bridge to Quebec at Island Park’s north end, it is hard to find a more convenient neighbourhood in Ottawa.
If you would like to live in this prestigious neighbourhood view our newest listing 469 Island Park Drive.
