City of Ottawa Recreation: Summer starts now!

 

Summer camps Ready for the best summer ever? Camp is the place to be! Spots are still available at many locations around the city. Find one near you today.

Tony Graham Youth Workout Pass Summer vacation is a go! Ottawa youth between the ages of 13 and 17 can make the most of their time off with the Tony Graham Youth Workout Pass! Enjoy free access to weight and cardio-rooms at 16 participating facilities from now until August 31.

Upcoming registration dates   Summer may have just started, but we’re already dreaming of fall! Don’t miss out on next season’s programming. Mark your calendars today with these upcoming registration dates.  Fall activities   View online on July 29.   Register online for:   Fall swimming activities August 12 at 9 pm.   All fall activities August 14 at 9 pm.

Museum and heritage activities Can you dig it?  Every Wednesday in July, kids aged 8 to 11 can join us from 10:30 am to noon at Billings Estate National Historic Site to dig for artefacts and identify mysterious objects in a simulated excavation site. Can you dig it? Advance registration is required, so secure your spot today.   Time Travellers  Step back in time and discover everything  Billings Estate National Historic Site has to offer! Every Thursday in July, kids aged 5 to 7 can become Time Travellers from 10:30 am to noon to explore heritage chores, skills and pastimes through fun, hands-on activities. Advance registration is required.  Vintage Vehicle Experience   Car lover? On Sunday, July 13 from 10 am to 4 pm, explore the rapid design and mechanical advancements made during the earliest years of the automotive era with the Vintage Vehicle Experience at the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum.   Introduction to woodcarving    On Friday, July 18 from 1 to 5 pm, join us for an outdoor whittling and woodcarving workshop! Participants aged 16 plus are invited to join us at Pinhey’s Point Historic Site to carve their own “comfort bird,” while enjoying beautiful views of the Ottawa River! Advance registration is required.

City of Ottawa Museums: June 2025

 

Learn all about animal helpers

Visit Cumberland Heritage Village Museum on Sunday, June 29 to explore how animals help with many important jobs and tasks from search and rescue to pest control. This event features special guests including Wilhaven Ridge Alpacas, Working Whiskers (Ottawa Humane Society), Ottawa Valley Border Collie Club, and more! The Ottawa Valley Live Steamers and Model Engineers will also be on site between 11 am and 3 pm demonstrating their large-scale model locomotives.

Get creative at the Curiosity Café

The Curiosity Café returns at Nepean Museum on Thursday, June 26. Adults ages 50 and up are invited to drop in anytime between 10 am and 3 pm to enjoy light refreshments, take a closer look at the collection, play retro games, and chat with us about how the museum can better serve older adults in our community. Bonus! We’re offering a special pottery painting activity between 1 pm and 2 pm (while supplies last). Registration is open for July workshops “Initiation au travail du cuir” – Cumberland Heritage Village Museum July 6 from 1 pm to 5 pm Learn to layout, emboss, and stitch a 4” x 6” notebook slipcover with a skilled heritage interpreter. *Presented in French. Introduction to watercolour illustration – Fairfields Heritage House July 6 from 10 am to 4 pm Gain confidence with watercolour and create nature-inspired illustrations with botanical artist and arts educator Crystal Beshara. Introduction to woodcarving – Pinhey’s Point Historic Site July 18 from 1 pm to 5 pm Practice basic whittling and carving skills to create a “comfort bird” with Martin Thornell from Ottawa City Woodshop. Follow Cumberland Heritage Village Museum, Fairfields Heritage House, and Pinhey’s Point Historic Site on Facebook for more great workshop opportunities all summer long Upcoming programs and events Weekend Crafters (ages 6 to 12): Enjoy drop-in craft activities and a scavenger hunt inspired by local history. June 29 from 1 pm to 4 pm (garden wind chimes) – Fairfields Heritage House July 6 from 1 pm to 4 pm (button making) – Nepean Museum Can You Dig It (ages 8 to 11): Learn to dig for artefacts, identify mysterious objects, and practice techniques that scientists use every day. July (Wednesdays) and August (Thursdays) – Billings Estate National Historic Site August (Thursdays) – Fairfields Heritage House Time Travellers (ages 5 to 7): Explore heritage chores, skills, and pastimes inspired by daily life on the Billings family farm. July (Thursdays) and August (Wednesdays) – Billings Estate National Historic Site Tales of the Magical Museum: Inspired by tabletop role playing games, create a character with special abilities influenced by heritage trades and cross paths with figures from Ottawa’s history as you decide where the story will take you next. July 26 to August 23 (ages 12 to 14) – Fairfields Heritage House July 27 to August 24 (ages 9 to 11) – Nepean Museum Vintage Vehicle Experience: See pre-1940 restored, partially restored and unrestored vehicles and learn about the rapid design and mechanical advancements during the early automotive era. July 13 – Cumberland Heritage Village Museum Pinhey’s Past-Times: Explore a heritage trade, pastime, or recipe through a drop-in activity or demonstration.  June 29 (Outaouais Wood Carvers) - Pinhey’s Point Historic Site July 5 (Ottawa Guild of Lacemakers) - Pinhey’s Point Historic Site July 6 (Medicine bags with Makatew Workshops) - Pinhey’s Point Historic Site School’s in for the summer! Become a student in the one-room schoolhouse at Cumberland Heritage Village Museum and experience how life in the classroom has changed over the past 100 years. Families with kids and adults of all ages are encouraged to take part in these activities together. Visitors are welcome to participate in a single activity or return throughout their visit to experience the full school day. Stay tuned Follow us on social media to make sure you don’t miss a single announcement. Billings Estate National Historic Site (or @billingsestatemuseum on Instagram) Cumberland Heritage Village Museum (or @cumberlandmuseum on Instagram) Fairfields Heritage House Nepean Museum Pinhey’s Point Historic Site (or @pinheyspoint on Instagram)

City of Ottawa Accessibility Spotlight: How to Stay Cool and Safe During Extreme Heat

 

As Ottawa experiences an increase in extreme heat events due to climate change, it is important to understand the risks associated with hot weather and how to stay safe. When temperatures and humidity levels rise, it can be difficult for our bodies to stay cool and avoid overheating. As a result, extreme heat poses a risk of heat-related illnesses and even death. It is important to watch for signs of dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and sunburn.   

During heat warnings, everyone should take extra precautions, especially those at higher risk including infants, older adults, pregnant individuals, those that work outside, those with pre-existing health conditions, people experiencing homelessness, and those without access to air conditioning. An indoor room temperature of 26°C (79°F) and above can increase the risk of heat-related illness. Stay safe and check in on family, friends and neighbours who may be at greater risk.  

  

Tips to Beat the Heat   

To stay safe, it is crucial to stay hydrated, avoid strenuous outdoor activities, minimize sun exposure, dress appropriately, seek shade or air-conditioned spaces, use fans as needed and never leave vulnerable individuals in cars. Visit the OPH Extreme Heat and Humidity website for heat safety resources: 

• Beat the Heat poster (also available in French, Arabic, Somali, Nepalese, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Punjabi and Turkish) 

• Infographics on cost-effective home heat protection and apartment and condo heat protection 

• An interactive map of places to cool off in Ottawa, including City parks, pools, splash pads, libraries, and more 

• What to do if there is a power outage during a heat wave 

• The “Find Your Way Community Resource Guide” provides contact information for services such as shelters and drop-in centres 

• Don’t forget about pets and service/support animals by providing ample shade, fresh water and limiting outdoor activities

To stay informed, download the WeatherCAN app to ensure you receive timely updates on heat warnings issued for Ottawa.  Additionally, it is important to regularly check the Air Quality Health Index and the UV index forecast.    

Visit the Health Canada website to see ways to protect yourself and loved ones during an extreme heat event. 

Additional Resources   
If you need assistance or would like to help someone in need, please:   

• Call 2-1-1 for social services assistance information such as locations and to access information about day programs, meals, and how to access homeless shelters. Find out more about shelters in Ottawa.  

• Call 3-1-1 to get assistance for someone who needs transportation to a shelter to get out of the heat.  

• Call 8-1-1 Health Connect Ontario for non-emergency medical advice.  

• Call 9-1-1 for any medical emergency such as heat stroke. 

Further information and resources can be found on the Ottawa Public Health website, including guidance on outdoor air quality, sun safety, water safety, and keeping children safe during hot weather.      

Honouring Rocky: A Memorial Plaque Unveiling at the Little Free Library

We warmly invite residents to join us on Saturday, June 28 at 12:30 p.m. at the Little Free Library on Ryan Drive as we gather to remember and honour Rocky, a cherished member of our community.

Rocky was a familiar and welcome presence in our neighbourhood. Every day, he would visit the Little Free Library—not just to look at the books, but to talk with neighbours, share a laugh, and offer a milk bone to every passing pup. His small acts of kindness and friendly conversations made a big impact, helping to foster the sense of connection we all value.

To celebrate his legacy, the community association will unveil a memorial plaque at the Library—a place that held special meaning for Rocky and for many of us who had the pleasure of knowing him.

We hope you’ll join as we pay tribute to a neighbour who helped make our community a little warmer every day.

All are welcome.

City of Ottawa Recreation: Outdoor swim and splash

 

Looking to beat the heat this summer? Pack your bags, slather on your sunscreen and get outside for a day of fun in the sun with outdoor swim and splash!

Beaches   Starting this Saturday, June 21 until Sunday, August 24 Mooney’s Bay, Britannia, Westboro and Petrie Island are open for supervised swimming from noon to 7 pm.   Before you hit the water, here are our top safety tips:  Only swim at supervised beaches when lifeguards are present  Review water and weather conditions before swimming. Learn more at ottawapublichealth.ca/beaches  Read and follow all signage  Familiarize yourself with our new flagging system  Green flag: Lifeguards are supervising the designated swimming area  Red flag: Lifeguards are not supervising the designated swimming area  Red/yellow flag: Designated swimming area between the flags  Always keep children within arm’s reach   Make sure children and weaker swimmers are wearing properly fitted life jackets or personal floatation devices  Always swim with a buddy

Outdoor pools  Outdoor pools are opening this month with their pre-season schedules:  Open now:   Bearbrook Pool   Beaverbrook Pool – Kanata  Crestview Pool   Entrance Pool   General Burns Pool   Genest Pool   Glen Cairn Pool   Opening June 21:   Corkstown Pool   Katimavik Pool

Splash pads  Enjoy a day of free fun at one of our splash pads! Our city is home to over two hundred locations, each with fun features to help you stay cool.

Wading pools   Throughout June, the following wading pools are open from noon to 5 pm on weekends.  Alexander  Alvin Heights  Britannia  Dutchies  Marlene Catteral  McNabb  Pushman  Rideauview  St Paul’s  Sylvia Holden (Landsdowne)  Review the map to find a location near you and check opening dates and summer season schedules.

QTSRCA Community Garage Sale

The community garage sale is a great opportunity to do some good, meet your neighbours, and maybe even find a new treasured item for yourself!

When: Saturday, June 28, 8:00 am to noon

Where: Front yards and driveways throughout the neighbourhood

QTSRCA Summer Social

Join us in celebrating the summer season with a celebration at the Kilreen Park Splash Pad. Free snacks and light refreshments will be provided. Special Guests: Ottawa Fire Services (see a real fire truck up close!)

When: Saturday, June 28, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Where: Kilreen Park Splash Pad (1240 Southwood Drive)