Exploring nature around Kanata
We all want to get outside more often — even a brief breath of fresh air as you step out of the house and into the car feels revitalizing. Chase that feeling! It’s easier than ever to enjoy the great outdoors in Arcadia. Its unique location just outside of the city means your home in Kanata is surrounded by stunning nature.
The Carp River runs near Arcadia to the northeast and is undergoing a restoration plan to increase vegetation and improve its ability to provide a habitat to fish and wetlands. Several parks have sprung up along its banks, like Clarence Maheral Park to the south, which offers a chance to see some great wildlife and picture-perfect sunsets.
The South March Highlands, an 8-minute drive north of Arcadia, is home to hundreds of species of plants, trees, and wildlife. It’s a mini forest right in the heart of the city! As part of the Canadian Shield, the Highlands is full of mature trees, moss-covered logs, and winding trails that have quickly become favourites for hikers and mountain bikers alike.
The Old Quarry Trail, inside Stony Swamp, is over 40 kilometres long. It’s the perfect place for hiking, biking, and, in the winter strap on the snowshoes and cross-country skis. With over 700 species of plants and wildlife, a sugar maple forest, clearings, boggy wetlands, and beaver ponds, there is so much to explore in Stony Swamp.
Learning to love nature
10 minutes east of Arcadia is the Ottawa Forest and Nature School. Situated on 900 acres of Ottawa’s Greenbelt, a team of educators are providing community and school programs with a focus on play-based learning in nature. It’s the perfect opportunity for children and families alike to ask questions, get closer to nature and learn more about wildlife and the importance of environmental sustainability.
