Heritage Ottawa recently posted about a walking tour of Island Park Drive history that may be of interest to Champlain Park residents. Visit https://shop.heritageottawa.org/en/2025-walking-tour-season to sign up, and for details about time and place.

A heritage asset of the National Capital Commission opened in 1923, Island Park Drive was designed to extend the Capital parkway system, which continues to preserve the original design intentions as well as many of the original homes along its entire length. As one of Ottawa’s most prestigious historical neighbourhoods, Island Park Drive has been home to many prominent Canadians who contributed significantly to the economic and cultural development of Ottawa. Residents have included legendary jeweller Jack Snow, printing tycoon Rolla Law Crain, W.H. Taylor Arkley, “the tailor,” and Daniel and Lucy Rochester, and Dr. Stafford Kirkpatrick, a Queen’s University metallurgical genius.

The guide is Jennifer Hornby Gillespie, a long-time resident, long-time board director and Past-President of the Island Park Community Association, who worked for 30 years in the technology sector.