Nine o’clock in the morning, we’re off! My son and I hop on our cargo bike from Manoir des trembles towards the Chief William Commanda pedestrian bridge. Final destination? Pangishimo Park, located on Chaudière Island in Ottawa-Gatineau. We speed along the winding Voyageurs Trail and take the old railway bridge. Seagulls and cormorants cluster on the surrounding islands. On Lemieux Island, a dump truck unloads its cargo of rocks under my son’s impressed gaze.
Arriving on the Ontario shore, we take the Capital Pathway. A detour is suggested due to construction work. Then, the pedestrian connection to Pangishimo Park from the War Museum is closed. No choice, we’ll have to negotiate the traffic on Booth Street. Everything goes well. Left turn onto “Chaudière Private”. At first glance, nothing inspiring: truck noises, orange cones, a construction site.
Pangishimo Park
But following the charming streetlights, we finally discover a small urban park worth the detour. Inaugurated in 2021, this 0.3-hectare riverside park – whose name means “sunset” in Algonquin – offers a pleasant experience despite ongoing work. We discover an open space crossed by universally accessible paths and bordered by a wooden boardwalk along the shore.
There are no traditional play structures here. Instead, children can have fun on tree trunks and rocks placed here and there, perfect for climbing and exploring. Small slopes invite free play and running on the grass, cement paths, or mulch. And hop! Why not another little tour of the trails? We admire the sunset-shaped artwork, hide under tree trunks, have a snack sitting on stumps while playing guessing games.
The large wooden benches offer another play element for children, but also an ideal place to rest and admire the view of the river. It’s surely a popular spot for sunset photos and moments of contemplation.
Chaudière Falls Park
Crossing a footbridge, we access Chaudière Falls Park. White-painted wooden chairs invite you to sit and enjoy the atmosphere. Pink rectangular structures catch the eye. Passing underneath, we admire the flower beds surrounding them. From this park, there’s also a breathtaking view of Chaudière Falls.
On the way back
Before heading back, a quick stop at Primrose Park near LeBreton Flats. Then, back on the road: Wee-woo! Wee-woo! Fire trucks pass us on the right as we head towards the Scott Street bike path. On the Chief William Commanda Bridge, pedestrians and bikes stroll leisurely as the city’s cacophony fades behind us. On Lemieux Island, a crane moves the rocks that the dump truck had unloaded earlier. Back on the Voyageurs Trail, my passenger doesn’t say a word; it’s nap time for my little toad.
Verdict
Whether for a picnic, a relaxing break, or simply to admire the sunset or experience something a bit different, this park is worth a visit. It promises to be even more enjoyable once the surrounding construction sites are completed. Eventually, it will undoubtedly become a favourite spot for residents and workers in the developing neighbourhood.
Getting There by Bike
From Ottawa, you can take the bike paths along the Ottawa River. A convenient connection has been set up from the Canadian War Museum, allowing easy access to Chaudière Island without having to negotiate traffic on Booth Street, but this connection was closed when I passed by.
From Gatineau, you can reach the park by crossing the Chaudière Bridge on foot or by bike, then following the signs to the island. To avoid the Chaudière Bridge and car traffic, you can also take the Chief William Commanda pedestrian bridge and use the connection behind the Canadian War Museum (if it’s open).
Facilities
- Toilets: Unavailable at the moment
- Parking: There is paid parking in the Zibi neighbourhood.
- Universal access: The trails are universally accessible.
Algonquin First Nations
Pangishimo Park is the result of a collaboration between several parties: the NCC, Algonquin partners involved in contributing to the concept, choosing the name and native plants, the non-profit Artscape for artworks, and Zibi, the development company. However, Zibi’s condo project on the island has been controversial and hasn’t been unanimously supported by the 10 Algonquin First Nations. Some describe the sacred nature of the islands surrounding Chaudière Falls and would have preferred to see the entire land developed as a cultural park rather than developed for condos.