Winter tobogganing fun has officially come to Ottawa again with sledding allowed at certain slopes.
Ottawans can currently toboggan at 42 of the city’s 79 approved sledding hills, the city said in an email statement. For safety reasons, enthusiasts should only sled at approved sites with posted signs.
Here are some popular spots and what you should know about them.
Lansdowne Park (Glebe)
The Great Lawn at Lansdowne Park will be closed to tobogganing this year “due to construction,” the city said. Construction for Lansdowne 2.0 was slated to start at the beginning of December with the new mid-size event centre/arena set to be built where the tobogganing hill is now.
The sledding slope is now surrounded by grey metal fencing and construction signs are posted there.
“Once the new event centre is complete, a reinstated sledding hill will reopen to the public,” the city said.
There’s more than just tobogganing to do at Lansdowne Park, though. An annual Christmas market featuring dozens of vendors is open on weekends through Dec. 31, and there’s a skating rink, too.
Mooney’s Bay Park
The hill at Mooney’s Bay Park will not be open for sledding again this year, the city wrote in its statement.
The city is mulling over three proposals for a reshaping project earmarked at up to $3.1 million, with the new designs intended to make sledding safer with a “thrill hill,” “bunny hill” and ski zone, a city memo said.
The area has been fenced off and sledding has been prohibited there since an 11-year-old girl died after her sled struck a sign post in late December 2021.
Greens Creek (Blackburn Hamlet)
In the east end, Greens Creek is a favourite location with a large, gradual slope that is wide and features multiple routes for sleds. There is padding at the very bottom of the slope as a precaution.
Greens Creek also features 5.5 kilometres of trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing for those looking to diversify their winter itinerary.
Craig Henry Park (Nepean)
Tucked in the west end, Craig Henry Park has a hill with a steady slope and enough run-off to allow for some fun. Only the west side is approved for safe use by sledders, and there is some padding on the trees and posts at the bottom as a protective measure.
This tobogganing hill is not lit past dark.
Walter Baker Park (Kanata)
Walter Baker Park is a favourite for those further west of the city centre. It has some of the longest routes in Ottawa and is lit up after sunset.
There is padding at the bottom of the hill to cushion the long run-off. Parking is steps away from the hill at the Kanata Recreation Complex.
The city urges anyone to report dangerous conditions to 311 and any emergencies to 911.
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