Island Park Drive Historical Walking Tour

On a warm autumn afternoon, residents gathered for the Island Park Drive Historical Walking Tour, led by Jennifer Gillespie, Past-President and Chair of the Island Park Community Association’s Heritage Committee.

The event brought together enthusiasts to discover the history woven into one of Ottawa’s most picturesque and storied streets.

Participants walked beneath the Drive’s canopy of mature maples and elms while learning about its origins in the early 1900s. Designed by the Federal District Commission (now the National Capital Commission) as part of a grand vision to link parks and scenic routes across the capital, Island Park Drive quickly became a prestigious address. Its tree-lined boulevard and distinctive homes reflect Ottawa’s growth from a lumber town to a national capital with diplomatic ambitions.

Jenn highlighted the heritage architecture that defines the area — from Craftsman cottages and stately Tudor Revival houses to elegant Georgian and Colonial Revival residences built between the wars. Along the way, she shared stories of early residents, the tradition of Canadian flags lining the Drive each summer, and the community’s ongoing efforts to preserve this unique character.

The tour also underscored the Island Park Community Association’s commitment to heritage protection, including advocacy for a proposed Heritage Conservation District to safeguard the Drive’s architectural and cultural significance for future generations.

Guests left with a deeper appreciation of the street they call home — not just as a scenic route, but as a living record of Ottawa’s history.