A Tiny Oasis Worth Knowing About
Snider Park is the kind of downtown spot Ottawa doesn’t have enough of: a compact green space with fescue and flowers, colourful murals, picnic tables, a small performance stage and even chalkboards for passersby to leave their mark. It’s the perfect place to grab a bench, unwrap a sandwich and let a lunch break feel like a mini vacation.
The park sits on land owned by Morguard, with the Centretown BIA running the space and covering hydro, insurance and upkeep. It launched last year as one of the city’s Uncommon sites, with support from the City of Ottawa itself.
Shorter Hours, Bigger Demand
Earlier this summer, the park kept a more limited schedule, open only a handful of hours on weekdays and Saturdays, and closed entirely on Sundays. Even so, regulars found their way in whenever the gates were unlocked, using it as a lunchtime escape, a meeting spot for friends, or simply the closest thing to a backyard for anyone without their own patch of green.
Now Open Nine to Seven, Every Day
As of September 3rd, Snider Park is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week, giving Centretown residents and office workers alike far more room to enjoy it. That means evenings after work, weekend mornings and Sunday afternoons are all fair game for a visit.
A New Team Keeping It Running
To make sure the park opens and closes reliably, the Centretown BIA has partnered with Operation Come Home, an organization that supports at-risk and homeless young people in the city. OCH is training and providing workers to open, close and maintain the park daily, with the BIA covering the costs. The new team has already started, giving Snider Park the consistent care it needs to feel like a true neighbourhood fixture.
Looking Ahead
BIA leadership says there’s more in the works for next year, including plans to add greenery and rethink the park’s black metal gate so the space feels more welcoming from the sidewalk. There’s also hope of bringing back a coffee kiosk once logistical hurdles around electricity and space are sorted out.
Plan Your Visit
Snider Park is located on Bank Street between Laurier Avenue and Slater Street, and is now open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Whether you’re downtown for work, running errands, or just looking for a shady spot to sit, it’s finally as easy to get into as a park should be.