Boundaries
Findlay Creek–Leitrim is bordered by Leitrim Road to the north, Rideau Road to the south, just east of Bank Street to the east and Albion Road to the west.
History
Like much of the Ottawa south area, Findlay Creek–Leitrim was mainly farmland until recent years. Talk of developing the area began in earnest in the 1980s, when industrial and suburban growth for the Leitrim area was first discussed. Controversy quickly erupted because of anticipated high development costs, traffic concerns and worries about damage to the ecologically diverse Leitrim Wetland, home to wildlife, rare plants and two-century-old trees. The battle to protect the wetland ended up dragging on for more than a decade, including a hearing before the Ontario Municipal Board and an Environmental Review Tribunal hearing.
In 1991, the provincial government altered the provincially significant wetland boundary by removing one-fifth of it and opening it to development, which began in 2003 with the construction of Findlay Creek Village by Tartan Homes and Tamarack Homes. The developers contributed to the preservation of the remaining wetland (330 hectares) and helped build the 500-metre boardwalk that borders it.
The area has grown rapidly in recent years, with the population doubling between 2011 and 2016, from 4,486 to 8,865.
Claim to fame
The Findlay Creek Boardwalk, 500 metres long, offers an opportunity to view the provincially protected Leitrim Wetland, which contains marshland, cedar swamp and – rare in the Ottawa area – calcareous fen. The wetland is home to 90 bird species year-round and 40 migratory species during migration.
Who’s building where
- Cowan’s Grove: HN Homes, Urbandale Construction
- Findlay Creek Village: Tartan Homes and Tamarack Homes
- Lilythorne: Claridge Homes
- Pathways at Findlay Creek: eQ Homes, Phoenix Homes, Richcraft Homes
- Sundance: Claridge Homes
- The Leitrim Flats: Urbandale Construction
In the area
A popular south-end suburban community, Findlay Creek–Leitim is near a variety of natural and man-made features, including Leitrim Wetlands, the Greenbelt, golf courses and others.
Schools
There is an English public elementary school (Vimy Ridge Public School) in Findlay Creek Village, with plans for another. You can use the following search pages to find the schools that serve this neighbourhood.
- English public: Ottawa Carleton District School Board school locator
- English Catholic: Ottawa Catholic School Board school locator
- French public: Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario school locator
- French Catholic: Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est school locator
Other schools include Leitrim Montessori Preschool.
Businesses
- Shoppers Drug Mart
- Canadian Tire
- LCBO
- Bulk Barn
- FreshCo discount supermarket
- Restaurants
- Banks
- The Pet Shoppe
- Tim Hortons
- K2O School of Bicycle Mechanics and Bicycle Services
Amenities
There are a growing number of amenities in the area in keeping with ongoing housing and commercial development, including:
- Several parks , including Diamond Jubilee Park, a two-phase project with basketball courts, a skate park, a fitness trail and plans for a fenced dog park and other facilities.
- Findlay Creek Hearing Care Clinic
- Findlay Creek Medical Centre
- Ottawa International Airport
- Rideau Carleton Raceway & Casino
- Houses of worship include the Hindu Temple
Services
Findlay Creek Village Community Association
Transit options
OC Transpo serves the area in the morning and afternoon peak periods, and there’s a park and ride at Albion and Leitrim Roads. Bank Street and Albion Road are the principal routes to downtown. Cycling options include a multi-use pathway along Findlay Creek Drive.