Articles Written by Ernest Ko
Planning a Canal Day? Start With These Parking Spots
So you’re in Ottawa for the weekend. Perhaps it’s a family weekend getaway. Or maybe you’ve got a day off during a business trip.
Why not try skating on the canal? You’ve been keeping them in the car since November; it’s probably time to take them out for a spin.
It sounds like a great idea.
But when you get there, where do you park? Sure, you could take transit and avoid the headache. But maybe your hotel’s in Kanata, or you’ve got three rowdy kids with you. Not to mention, Ottawa transit isn’t the most popular topic around here. Sometimes, it’s better to be behind the wheel.
The National Capital Commission offers suggestions for parking near access points, but those options are all paid, sometimes outrageously so (We’re looking at you, Rideau Centre parking garages).
It makes one think, are there even any decent parking options?
Well, yes. And here are 3 to consider, spread across the canal.
Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West (5-minute walk to Rideau access point)
Sometimes, the easiest option can be found right beneath our noses. Or in this case, City Hall.
With over 500 parking spots, spread over two underground floors, it’s an optimal parking spot, says Erik Boyechko.
“It’s really cheap on the weekends,” he said. From 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday, the max parking rate is only $2.
Being located in downtown Ottawa, Boyechko also appreciates the proximity.
“It’s neat. You’re near the Rideau Centre, Parliament and every now and then there’s something going on at (Confederation Park), so you can park here and not just go skating,” he says.
Lansdowne Park area, multiple locations
Further south, between the Fifth Avenue / Clegg Street and the Lansdowne / Avenue Road access points, is a myriad of street parking, within 10-15 minutes away from the canal.
Lansdowne Park has its own underground parking garage, but at a daily rate of $25, it can be costly.
Instead, Joanne Leger tries to think outside the Lansdowne Park box.
“I kind of just drive around, and usually I can find a spot,” she says.
“There’s not always a lot of spots, and you do have to kind of try and beat the rush, but when you find one, it’s great,” Leger says.
Different streets may have different parking limits. Fifth Avenue limits parkers to one hour, while others, like Ralph Street, can be more lenient, allowing drivers to park for two, sometimes three hours.
“Just make sure there’s not a Charge game or a concert that day,” Leger warns.
She says she’s had to learn that lesson the hard way in the past.
Dow’s Lake, 301 Preston Street (14-minute walk to Dow’s Lake access point)
For those looking to start their skating adventures on Dow’s Lake, they may want to check Preston Parking Lot (Lot 14) for cheap parking options.
According to the city website, Lot 14, like City Hall, has a maximum daily rate of $12 during the week and $2 on weekends.
For the night owls and early birds alike, parking is also free from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. on weekdays, and 8:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on weekends.
Around Dow’s Lake are also other street parking options, like Norman or Rochester Street, which both have a two-hour parking limit.