Craig Henry Ottawa Neighbourhood Tour
We’re in the former City of Nepean for today’s neighbourhood tour of Woodvale – Craig Henry – Manordale – Estates of Arlington Woods. If you’re thinking that’s a lot of names for one neighbourhood, well…..you’re right!
This Knoxdale-Merrivale Ward neighbourhood brings together four smaller residential areas into one cohesive community.
Craig Henry, one the larger areas in this neighbourhhood, is a suburb that was developed in 1971 and onwards and consists of a mix of town homes, semi-detached houses, single homes and apartments. According to the 2016 census the population is 6,593 and the area benefits from plenty of parks including Craig Henry Park, Charing, Knoxdale Road, Ben Franklin Soccer Dome, Bateman Park and the Craig Henry Tennis Club. Some of the schools in the immediate area include Knoxdale Public School, Briargreen Public School, Abdulgadir School of Hope and Sir Robert Borden High School has students in grades 7 through 12.
Manordale is a smaller area than Craig Henry – according to the 2016 census the population was tracked at 1,947. The homes in the area are mostly bungalow or one-level style detached and semi-detached properties. This area really came together in the 1950s and 1960s. Parks are also readily available in the area with Manordale Park (originally called Orr Unsworth Park), Sherry Lane Park, Roundhay Park and Ben Franklin Park. As for schools 2 are in the immediate area which are Manordale Public School and Saint John XXIII Catholic School in Woodvale.
NEPEAN SPORTSPLEX LOCATED IN CRAIG HENRY OTTAWA
One of the biggest claims to fame in today’s neighbourhood-of-many-names is its proximity to the Nepean Sportsplex. The Nepean Raiders call this arena home, but that’s just the beginning of what it offers.
Built in 1973, this enormous recreational facility offers ball fields, gym facilities, curling sheets, squash courts, swimming pools, and more. If you want to get fit or have fun, there’s something for you at the Nepean Sportsplex!
And, as an added bonus, Nepean Sportsplex has a hidden gem of Pinhey Forest located directly behind it. This awesome nature trail is probably one of the best inner-city nature trails and offers year round walking, hiking and biking trails.
HUNT CLUB ROAD
Hunt Club Road winds through the southern part of Woodvale – Craig Henry – Manordale – Estates of Arlington Woods. This four-lane divided principal arterial road offers easy access to surrounding neighbourhoods and continues to expand even today.
In the beginning, the original section ran from the Ottawa Hunt Club Golf Course to Bank Street. The housing boom during the 1970s saw many extensions take place to the through road. This pushed the expansion West to Riverside Drive and then East to Hawthorne Road. Since then it has been expanding and allowing easier access to areas of the city East and West. Today, it connects from Old Richmond Road with a new 2-lane round-about connecting Bridlewood – Emerald Meadows in Kanata in the West all the way to the 417 just past Russel Road in the East.
You’ll find Ben Franklin Park and its Superdome right on Hunt Club Road, offering indoor and outdoor fields and golf. There is no shortage of recreational facilities in this neighbourhood!
REAL ESTATE IN CRAIG HENRY OTTAWA
Like a lot of Nepean neighbourhoods, Craig Henry was built on a former farm and most of its homes were built in the 1970s. Manordale, on the other hand, was the first area in the ward to be developed, in the 1950s. Its homes are mainly bungalows.
Woodvale was next in line for development in the late 1960s, followed by the Estates of Arlington Woods. You’ll find a mix of detached homes and townhomes throughout the neighbourhood. Most of the homes were built between the years 1960 and 1980.
Homes built prior to 1950s accounts for 10.2% where as the majority of the homes in the area were built during the 1960s and 1970s. About 34.5% of the homes were built during the 1980s and 1990s. And only 1.8% of homes were built post 2000. About 62.3% of homes are owner occupied and 37.7% are renters.
Woodvale – Craig Henry – Manordale – Estates of Arlington Woods is a great option for anyone moving to Ottawa and looking for a relaxed pace, plenty of green space, and terrific recreational facilities.
