Area Description

Located south west of the greater community of Kanata, this community is located 12 kms west of Ottawa, north of hwy 417. Located east of Eagleson Road, and south of Hazeldean, it is actually closer to Bells Corners to its east than Kanata to the north. This area was originally part of the Township of March, and was first settled by Europeans in the early nineteenth century. It remained mainly agricultural until the 1960s when it became the site of heavy development when Bill Teron, a developer and urban planner purchased 4000 acres (16 km²) of rural land and set about building a model community.

Since then it has experienced exponential growth, with many smaller communities budding at its borders. Filled with amenities, Bridlewood and its parent community, Kanata didn't become a part of the City of Ottawa until 2001. Major landmarks and amenities include the Kanata Recreation Complex, Kanata Centrum Power centre, one of Ottawa's largest shopping centres, and AMC Kanata 24 Theatres. Plenty of arts groups, sports associations, and of course, Golf Clubs are mixed into the community. Sitting adjacent to the NCC Greenbelt, there is plenty of walking and cross country trails, planned lakes, plenty of trees and green space, and a large community parks are at the disposal of residents.

Like many neighbourhoods, Bridlewood has its own soccer and baseball teams which compete against one another on a regular basis during the spring and summer. Mostly for children, these recreational programs are assisted by the Bridlewood Community Association (BCA), which supports a wide variety of community issues; from sports sponsors to communicating development information to community watch programs. There are six schools, three elementary: W.O Mitchell Elementary, Bridlewood Community Elementary, Roch Carrier Elementary, and three catholic schools: St. James Catholic School, St. Anne Catholic School and Elizabeth Bruyere Catholic School.

With such close proximity to both Kanata and Bells Corners, large shopping centres are not a part of this community, keeping it quiet and safe. Rather, modern amenities are found in small strips on Eagleson and/or Hazeldean Roads. OC Transpo offers an extension of the Kanata bus services to this neighbourhood; route 161 makes a stop on Eagleson road to service residents. In addition, park and ride lots are available in the area.