HomeOne of the first tasks of the Ottawa Improvement Commission (predecessor to the NCC, 1899–1927) was to build two historic parkways — one to replace industrial clutter along the Rideau Canal and the other to bring visitors to the parkland east of the city. In the 1950s, the NCC extended the parkway system west of Ottawa and across the Ottawa River. Today, there are over 52 kilometres of scenic parkways in the core of the Capital region, as well as over 38 kilometres in Gatineau Park:
- Queen Elizabeth Driveway (1899)
- Rockcliffe Parkway (1900)
- Colonel By Drive (1950s and 1960s)
- Ottawa River Parkway (1961)
- Aviation Parkway (1988)
- Lac des Fées Parkway (1950s)
- Gatineau Parkway (1959)
- Champlain Parkway (1959)
- Lac Fortune Parkway (1957)
These parkways were conceived to offer the public new ways to see and appreciate the landscape by car. Today, the parkways are scenic gateways into the Capital region, giving visitors a wonderful visual experience. They link important sites within the Capital, including Parliament Hill and many national museums and institutions. As such, the parkways can be considered cultural landscapes.
Especially early in the 20th century, land was lavishly dedicated to scenic uses; it is unlikely that such parkways will ever be built again. They should be cherished, therefore, as monuments to a bygone era in urban planning. The NCC works to limit signage and lighting on the parkways; prohibits commercial vehicles from using them; and restricts access to prevent congestion. It also landscapes the parkways to enhance views of the river and rapids.
On Sunday mornings throughout the summer, many parkways are closed to motorized traffic for Sunday Bikedays, in favour of those who want to cycle or in-line skate.
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