Boundaries
Kanata is just west of the National Capital Commission Greenbelt, which forms its eastern boundary. It extends west roughly to the Carp River and Huntmar Road, south to Terry Fox where it swings east to meet Old Richmond Road, and north to March Road where it swings west towards Carp.
History
First settled as March Township in the early 1800s, the area remained largely agricultural until developer Bill Teron chose to create a “garden city” of individual communities in the 1960s, starting with Beaverbrook.
Teron’s vision was to create clusters of housing in distinct communities, with a town centre and generous natural spaces in between them. Although he never finished his vision, the suburb continued to grow, ultimately being incorporated as the City of Kanata in 1978 before eventually amalgamating with Ottawa in 2001.
Bisected by the Queensway, Kanata is divided along the highway into northern and southern portions, with growth spreading west along Hwy. 417 and radiating out from it.
Claim to fame
The name Kanata comes from the Aboriginal word meaning village or settlement. It’s also said to be the origin of the name of Canada.
The suburb is home to the NHL’s Ottawa Senators, as well as being nicknamed Silicon Valley North for the number of high-tech companies concentrated in the community. Although that number diminished following the tech crash of 2000, the Kanata North Business Park still has a large number of tech companies, including Nokia, Ciena and MDS Nordion.
Kanata neighbourhoods
There are several. Some of the key ones include:
- Arcadia
- Beaverbrook
- Blackstone
- Bridlewood
- Glen Cairn
- Kanata Lakes
- Katimavik-Hazeldean
- Morgan’s Grant
- South March
- Town Centre
Who’s building where
- Arcadia, west Kanata: Minto Communities
- Blackstone, Kanata South/Stittsville: Cardel Homes
- Bridlewood Trails, Kanata South: Claridge Homes
- Brookline, Kanata North: Minto Communities
- Copperwood Estate, Kanata North: Claridge Homes, Uniform Urban Developments
- Iron Valley, Kanata South: Claridge Homes
- Kanata Lakes, Kanata North: HN Homes, Richcraft Homes, Urbandale Construction
- Mapleton, west Kanata: Richcraft Homes
- Parkside at Arcadia, west Kanata: Minto Communities
- Richardson Ridge, west Kanata: Uniform Urban Developments
- Trail View, Kanata South: Metric Homes
New-build rentals
- Mapleton: Richcraft Rentals
In the Area
As a former city, Kanata is blessed by having a complete suite of amenities, services and well-developed infrastructure. Being outside the greenbelt, it is conveniently close to popular rural destinations such as Richmond, Almonte and Carp as well as having abundant natural attractions itself.
Schools
All four major school boards are represented with both elementary and secondary schools found throughout the community:
- 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
There are also independent schools such as Kanata Academy and Kanata Montessori and the Carpenters’ Union training centre.
Businesses
From retail to service industries and commercial enterprises, the area has a wealth of businesses, including:
- Tanger Outlets
- Brookstreet Hotel
- Palladium Auto Park
- Hazeldean Mall
- Landmark Cinemas 24
- Kanata Centrum Shopping Centre
- Costco
- Home Depot
- Real Canadian Superstore
Amenities
Too many to name, some of the area’s amenities include:
- Kanata Golf & Country Club
- Marshes Golf Club
- Kanata Recreation Centre
- Richcraft Recreation Complex
- Kanata Leisure Centre & Wave Pool
- Bell Sensplex
- Kanata Theatre
- West Ottawa Soccer
- Green spaces such as Walter Baker Park, The Great Trail and the South March Highlands Conservation Forest, plus dozens of smaller neighbourhood parks.
Services
As a well-established and robust community, Kanata has virtually every service needed, with the exception, perhaps, of its own hospital.
There are churches of various denominations. There are also several community associations, including:
- Beaverbrook Community Association
- Briarbrook, Brookside, Morgan’s Grant Community Association
- Bridlewood Community Association
- Glen Cairn Community Association
- Kanata Lakes Community Association
- Katimavik-Hazeldean Community Association
- March Rural Community Association
And there are service groups such as the Kanata Seniors’ Centre, Kanata-Hazeldean Lions Club, the Ruddy-Shenkman Hospice and the West Ottawa Board of Trade. The Royal Canadian Legion is also headquartered here.
Transit options
Kanata is a major hub for OC Transpo, which services four Park & Ride locations, as well as smaller community bus runs. The Transitway is now extended to Moodie Drive and Light Rapid Transit is coming, but it is not expected before 2031.
The Queensway is a primary route to and from Kanata, with the Hazeldean/Robertson Road corridor through Bells Corners as well as West Hunt Club as secondary east-west routes.