Bridlewood is a residential neighbourhood in the south‑west quadrant of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It is situated within the former City of Kanata, which was amalgamated into the City of Ottawa in 2001. The community is bounded roughly by Highway 417 to the north, the Don River to the east, Carp Road to the south, and the Canadian National Railway line to the west.
History
The Bridlewood area was originally part of the rural township of March. Development began in the late 1970s as part of the suburban expansion of Kanata. The neighbourhood’s name reflects the equestrian heritage of the region, referencing the historic Bridlewood Farm that once occupied part of the site.
Demographics
According to the 2021 Census of Canada, the Bridlewood Census Tract (CT 5050053.10) had a population of approximately 13 600 residents. The neighbourhood exhibits a mix of housing types, including single‑family detached homes, townhouses, and low‑rise apartment buildings. Median household income in the area is comparable to the broader Ottawa average.
Education
Public education is administered by the Ottawa Carleton District School Board and the Ottawa Catholic School Board. Schools located within Bridlewood include:
- Bridlewood Public School (JK‑Grade 6)
- St. Thomas More Catholic School (JK‑Grade 6)
- Meadowlands Public School (JK‑Grade 6)
- Sir Robert Borden High School (Grades 9‑12) – located just south of the neighbourhood in the adjacent community of Kanata South.
Recreation and Amenities
Bridlewood hosts several parks and green spaces, such as Bridlewood Community Park and the Don River Trail, which provides walking, cycling, and wildlife observation opportunities. The Bridlewood Community Centre offers recreational programming, a fitness facility, and meeting rooms. Commercial services, including grocery stores, restaurants, and professional offices, are clustered along Carp Road and near the intersection of 4th Line West and Eagleson Road.
Transportation
The neighbourhood is served by Ottawa’s public transit system, OC Transpo, with several bus routes connecting Bridlewood to the Kanata Centre station of the O‑Train Confederation Line and to downtown Ottawa. Principal roadways include Carp Road (Ontario Highway 17) and Eagleson Road, which provide direct access to Highway 417.
Governance
Bridlewood falls within Ottawa City Council’s Kanata South Ward, represented by the elected city councillor for that ward. Provincially, the area is part of the Ottawa‑West—Nepean electoral district, and federally it is included in the same riding.
Notable Features
- Proximity to the Kanata North Business Park, a hub for high‑technology companies.
- Access to the Kanata Leisure Centre and the Kanata Bowling Centre, located a short distance south of the neighbourhood.
References
- Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population.
- City of Ottawa – Neighbourhood Planning and Development.
- Ottawa Carleton District School Board and Ottawa Catholic School Board school listings.
- OC Transpo route maps and schedules.
