City of Ottawa DiscoverRec : Spring has sprung: upcoming activities and registration dates

 

Summer registration dates Spring may have just started, but we’re already thinking about the seasons to come! Prepare for the next round of registration by marking your calendar with these important dates:  Tuesday, May 6 - Summer activities, 2025/2026 Before and After School Programs, and PA Days are visible online  Tuesday, May 13 at 9 pm - Registration for summer swimming activities  Thursday, May 15 at 9 pm - Registration for all summer activities, Before and After School Programs, and PA Days

Free virtual programs for older adults  Over 50? Enjoy a variety of virtual programs designed to help older adults stay active, engaged and connected—all from the comfort of your own home! With everything from gentle fitness classes, wellness workshops, social groups and creative activities, there’s something for everyone. Explore the full list of programs and register now!

City Wide Sports The warmer months are here, and it’s time to slide into action with City Wide Sports leagues! Whether you're joining a team or starting your own, sign up today for your choice of beach volleyball, softball or pickleball.

Commemorative naming proposals We’re currently seeking feedback on six separate commemorative naming proposals! If you would like to submit comments regarding one or more of the proposals, please complete the survey on Engage Ottawa before Tuesday, May 6.

Hop Into Spring   Spring is here, and the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum is hosting a day of fun, family-friendly activities on Saturday, April 19 from 10 am to 4 pm to celebrate the season’s arrival. Meet baby animals, get your face painted and more. Who knows? You may even spot the Easter Bunny and collect a small treat or two! Advanced registration is required.

Easter at the Billings Estate Get into the spring of things at the Billings Estate National Historic Site! Join us at the museum on Saturday, April 19 and Sunday, April 20 from 10 am to 4 pm for exciting activities for the whole family, including an Easter craft, egg and spoon race and animal friends from the Zoo Crew. Advance registration is required.

Beyond the Brim  Toss in your hat! Submissions for Beyond the Brim: Tales Told Through the Hats We Wore are open until Sunday, June 1. This exhibition, which will be housed at Trinity Gallery and Billings Estate National Historic Site, will showcase hats, helmets and head coverings alongside stories about the individuals who wore them and their impact on our city.

What’s happening City Hall Art Gallery  Thursday, April 17 – Mother/Artist Collective — Don’t Worry, I’ll Only Show You the Good Parts opening  Corridor 45|75  Now until July 6 — First day to view Coalescence – Selections from the City of Ottawa Art Collection  Karsh-Masson Gallery  Thursday, April 17 – Sébastien Gaudette — Langue éphémère (Ephemeral Language) opening  Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe  Thursday, April 17 – Matinée Café: The Harmonious Pigs Reed Trio  Tuesday, April 22 – Just For Laughs Road Show 2025  Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26 – Propeller Dance: So it turns, we bloom  Shenkman Arts Centre  Wednesday, April 16 – Matinée Café: Harmonious Pigs Reed Trio  Saturday, April 26 – Global Bollywood  Thursday, June 12 – World Music: Bruno Capinan

City of Ottawa Special advisory: winter weather parking ban to be lifted at 7 am

 

The winter weather parking ban will end at 7 am tomorrow, Monday, February 17.

Hot water and furnace vents

 

The Ottawa Fire Service has responded to numerous calls today for carbon monoxide inside homes due to snow covering hot water and furnace vents outside.

Please be vigilant and take the time to go outside to check and test your carbon monoxide alarms.

 

Be in the know about snow

Follow us on Facebook or X (formerly Twitter) to receive updates or subscribe to our electronic email alerts. If you subscribe to e-Alerts, you will receive notification each time a winter weather parking ban is put in place, extended or lifted. There is no charge for this service, and you can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up today at ottawa.ca.

Residents can also download the City of Ottawa app on their Android or Apple device to receive up-to-date information on winter parking bans and other City news.

For more winter parking information, please visit ottawa.ca/winterparking or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401).

For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service. You can also connect with us through Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram.

City of Ottawa Special advisory: Update on winter weather parking ban

 

Special advisory: Update on winter weather parking ban

The first of two planned winter weather parking bans for this significant weather event will end at 7 pm today, Thursday, February 13. A reminder to all residents the second daytime winter weather parking ban will be in effect tomorrow, Friday, February 14, from 10 am to 7 pm to allow for road crews to continue snow removal following the significant weather event. Be in the know about snow Follow us on Facebook or X (formerly Twitter) to receive updates or subscribe to our electronic email alerts. If you subscribe to e-Alerts, you will receive notification each time a winter weather parking ban is put in place, extended or lifted. There is no charge for this service, and you can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up today at ottawa.ca. Residents can also download the City of Ottawa app on their Android or Apple device to receive up-to-date information on winter parking bans and other City news. For more winter parking information, please visit ottawa.ca/winterparking or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401). For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service. You can also connect with us through Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram.

City of Ottawa - Summer Camps

 

Summer camps online The deep freeze of February is the perfect time to plan your summertime fun!  Throughout July and August, facilities across the city are running a variety of exciting and immersive activities for kids and teens. Browse and wishlist our summer camps now.  Withdrawals for summer camps are required 30 days prior to the summer camp start date.   We offer flexible payment options for our summer camps:   Pay in full: Make your payment on registration day  Payment plan: Use the payment plan, with payments due 30 days before the camp start date  These changes mean more children on our waitlist will have a chance to join their camp of choice.

Upcoming registration dates Don’t miss out on next season’s fun! Mark your calendars now with the following important registration dates:  Tuesday, February 11: spring swimming and aquatics registration opens online at 9 pm    Thursday, February 13: spring recreation, arts and virtual activities registration opens online at 9 pm   Thursday, February 27: summer camp registration opens online at 9 pm

What’s happening Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe  Saturday, February 8 – The Gruffalo’s Child  Thursday, February 13 – Matinée Café: Moonfruits  Shenkman Arts Centre  Tuesday, February 4 –  New North Collective’s Circumpolar Soundscape  Wednesday, February 12 – Matinée Café: Moonfruits  Saturday, February 22 – Will's Jams  Winterlude  Saturday, February 8 – Snowga Yoga  Sunday, February 9 – Fête Frissons 2025  Friday, February 14 – Latin Social Dance  Monday, February 17 – Family Day Skating Party  Monday, February 17 – Dungeons & Dragons™ Campaign Adventures: Winterlude Family One-Shot

City of Ottawa Accessibility Spotlight - February 2025

Public Information about Accessibility Features in Parks 

 

City parks are important community assets that provide residents with opportunities for leisure, sports and play. Over the last several years, the City has included many enhancements to its parks to make play in our playgrounds more inclusive, and to provide park features that are more accessible for everyone to enjoy. 
   

As included in the City of Ottawa’s 2025-2029 Municipal Accessibility Plan staff have committed to improve the availability of information regarding accessibility features in our parks to residents, and we want to hear from you!
   

The City is seeking your input through an online survey to learn what accessibility features you would like to know about when visiting City of Ottawa parks and how you would like to access that information. 

The information you provide will be used to develop options for providing residents information related to accessibility features in parks.  

For accessible survey formats or communication supports (hardcopy, large font, audio, Braille, phone survey, etc.), please contact AccessibilityOffice@ottawa.ca or (613) 580-2424 ext. 33544. 

 

City of Ottawa Spring Activities

 

Spring activities online  Tired of winter? Put some spring in your step by planning for the season ahead! Our spring activities are now available to browse and favourite online.   Registration begins at 9 pm online Tuesday, February 11 for swimming and aquatics programs and at 9 pm online Thursday, February 13 for all other recreation, arts and virtual activities.

Summer camp registration   Summer may be months away, but summer camp registration is coming up fast! Don’t forget to mark your calendars with these important dates:  Tuesday, February 4: summer camps online for viewing    Thursday, February 27: summer camp registration opens online at 9 pm

What’s happening Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe  Thursday, January 30 to Saturday, February 1 – Epidermis Cirus: The Weirdest Puppet Show You’ve Ever Seen   Saturday, February 8 – The Gruffalo’s Child  Thursday, February 13 – Matinée Café: Moonfruits  Shenkman Arts Centre  Tuesday, February 4 – New North Collective’s Circumpolar Soundscape  Wednesday, February 12 – Matinée Café: Moonfruits  Saturday, February 22 – Will's Jams  Winterlude  Friday, January 31 – Relaxed Night Out  Saturday, February 1 – Community Winter Pentathlon  Saturday, February 1 – Family Roller Disco  Saturday, February 8 – Snowga Yoga  Sunday, February 9 – Fête Frissons 2025  Friday, February 14 – Latin Social Dance  Monday, February 17 – Family Day Skating Party  Monday, February 17 – Dungeons & Dragons™ Campaign Adventures: Winterlude Family One-Shot

City of Ottawa Accessibility Spotlight - January 2025

 

Accessibility Advisory Committee Updates

The Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) provides advice to Council and consults on projects required under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005) and many more, where the City benefits from an accessibility lens.    The Committee meets at least eight times per year, with additional special meetings as required. In addition to their meetings, the group provides feedback by email, and many members participate in working groups or other sub-committees.      Next Meeting   Date: Tuesday, February 18  Time: 6 pm     Members of the public are encouraged to attend AAC meetings, which take place via Zoom.   If you have any questions or are interested in speaking or providing comments to the AAC about an item they are considering at a meeting, please contact Committee Coordinator, Rosa Ramos.  Public Member Recruitment for Committees and Boards  The City of Ottawa's 2025 recruitment process for various Committees and Boards has begun. To find out more, register to attend our virtual information session happening on Thursday, February 6 at 6 pm. Following the session, a recording will be available on YouTube. Accessibility-related accommodations are available upon request.  The City is recruiting for the following positions:   Accessibility Advisory Committee (1 position and reserves)  Ottawa Board of Health (1 position)  Committee of Adjustment (reserves)  Rogers Centre Ottawa – Board of Directors (1 position and reserves)  Community Safety and Well-being Advisory Committee (2 positions)  French Language Services Advisory Committee (2 positions and reserves)  Planning Advisory Committee Conservation Authorities (Landscape Architect position)  The deadline for applications is Thursday, February 27 at 4:30 pm.   Please share this article with your networks, so that we can ensure the City’s Committees and Boards are reflective of Ottawa’s diverse community and will meet the needs of all its residents.   For more information, please visit ottawa.ca/committees.    Snow Angels Program  Do you know a Snow Angel who deserves recognition?  A Snow Angel is a neighbour or friend who has volunteered to help you, or someone you know that is an older adult or person with a disability, to clear snow from a driveway, steps or walkway.  If you know a Snow Angel, the City of Ottawa wants to thank them!  Snow Angels will receive a certificate signed by the Mayor and Chair of the Transportation Committee.  How to nominate a Snow Angel  You still have time to nominate! Snow Angel nominations are accepted from until Monday, March 31.   To recognize a resident as a Snow Angel, please inform us by one of the following methods:  ottawa.ca/snowangel  Call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-4701 or VRS: 613-580-2400)

O-Payment now available on Para Transpo  The red O-Payment readers you’ve seen in Para Transpo minibuses are now active!  These readers are in the customer area of minibuses, which means you can tap your Presto card, credit card, debit card, or mobile wallet to pay your fare.  Here’s how it works:  Tap your card on the red O-Payment reader located in the customer area  The reader’s screen will turn green to show that the payment was successful  Tap tip: Tap only your card, not your wallet.  The existing fare readers attached to the operator’s tablet at the front of the vehicle will remain in place for now. You should still pass your card to the operator for the reader at the front if you are:  Paying a rural fare  Paying with an Access pass  Paying for a companion with Presto e-Purse  Contracted taxis do not have O-Payment readers. If you are taking a trip by taxi, pass your Presto card, credit or debit card to the operator, as usual. Find out more at octranspo.com.  Join us for Para Transpo Talk in February  Para Transpo customers, their families, companions and support persons are invited to join in Para Transpo Talk on February 12 and 13. This month’s events will be held virtually on Zoom.  Para Transpo Talk is a series of customer engagement events that are open to all Para Transpo customers, their families, companions and support persons. You do not need to apply to get involved. Everyone is welcome, no matter how often you use Para Transpo.   Virtual information sessions will be held on the following dates:  Wednesday, February 12 from 2 to 3:30 pm  Thursday, February 13 from 7 to 8:30 pm  On February 5, check octranspo.com for more details and for the Zoom link!  This month’s sessions will focus on December service challenges, an update on new minibuses, My Para Transpo trip notifications, Para Transpo customer service hours of operation and O-Payment readers.   Questions can be submitted in advance to parlons_paratranspo_talk@ottawa.ca or you can ask a question in the moderated chat during the event.