Photo Courtesy Tracey Tong
The Parliament buildings, of course. All the big museums and the National Gallery of Canada. Many of us have recently enjoyed Winterlude and the Rideau Canal Skateway. In the spring, we look forward to epic photo ops at the Canadian Tulip Festival.
Then there are all those things that come with being in the National Capital Region. More opportunities for tourism, more options for education and recreation, for fabulous children’s events and festivals that others not fortunate enough to live here have to travel (and book overnight stays in hotels) to enjoy.
If you take the time to look even more closely, you’ll see all the hidden-gem venues, grassroots projects and the hardworking small business owners and volunteers who quietly plug away to make it happen. In this March 2025 issue of Parenting Times Magazine, we are proud to share with you just a small sample of what makes our Ottawa, well, Uniquely Ottawa.
Among the organizations, places and faces making our city go ‘round include the Ottawa Wildflower Seed Library, a local grassroots non-profit that provides free native seeds to help create and preserve spaces for wildlife. (Want to be a part of this? Now is the time to start your plants.)
Longtime contributor Sheryl Bennett-Wilson writes about the benefits of living as a senior in the capital on page 38, and Sonia Mendes chats with the people responsible for the Ottawa Family Cinema which celebrates a milestone anniversary in 2025.
If you’re a fitness buff, you may already know about Happiness Habits 613, which offers free workouts like cross-country skiing, hiking, running and yoga to people of all ages. We’ve also profiled the mom-and-daughter entrepreneurial team behind Terrific Terrariums, whose workshops have been making the rounds at community centres.
In the mood for some heartwarming (and sometimes funny) reads? Look no further than our columnists Chris Hunt, Jon Willing and Kita Szpak (local gems in their own right) who bring their perspectives to every issue.
What do you love about Ottawa? We’re fully online and on social media, too. Let us know—connect with us on facebook.com/OttawaParentingTimes at x.com/ParentingTimes.
Best wishes,
Tracey