Event planning
Rural special event resources
If you’re planning a special event in your community, see all the resources below.
Planning an outdoor special event
The City’s Event Central division has an application process designed to help groups identify their needs and approvals required to ensure your outdoor special event runs smoothly.
Municipal alcohol policy
If you are planning an event that involves serving alcohol on municipal property, please refer to the City of Ottawa’s municipal alcohol policy.
The policy outlines the appropriate measures that must be taken by the sponsor hosting an event where alcohol is being served on city premises. The Your Planning Guide to Hosting an Event directs City staff and community partners through the booking process for these events.
Smart Serve® alcohol serving course
The Smart Serve® Ontario program(link is external) has a responsible service training certificate program for anyone in the province who serves or works with alcohol. Certification courses can be completed online, or through a video training kit (also available in French) which is suitable for individual or group training.
Food premise regulations – farmers markets and community events
On June 15, 2006, the Ontario Ministry of Health stated that farmers markets, service clubs, religious organizations and fraternal organizations or any event open to the public can be exempt from the “rigid requirements of Regulation 562 (Food Premises)”.
Events such as potluck dinners, church suppers, community picnics and bake sales “will be protected by the overly-aggressive inspections from public health officials”. Public health inspectors will advise community groups on food safety.
Requirements for exempt groups
“When high-risk food is served at a special event that does not originate from a food premise that is inspected under the Food Premise Regulation, these organizations are now required to post a notice stating whether or not the facilities have been inspected by the local public health unit”.
Organizers are also required to keep a log of providers of high-risk foods to be given to the local public health inspector upon request. Foods generally considered high-risk are:
- Those that contain raw eggs (i.e. custards, salads)
- Dairy products (i.e. cakes made with whipped cream, cheese or synthetic cream fillings)
- Meat, poultry and fish (i.e. fresh or processed meat, sausages)
Farmers markets are still required to follow the Health Protection and Promotion Act(link is external) (HPPA).
For more information, contact the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care(link is external).
Certified food handler training
The Food Handler Certification program(link is external) is an excellent opportunity for food handlers to learn how to prepare food safely.
Community recreation associations and organizations
Rural Ottawa has a strong network of community associations for residents which include recreation opportunities and special events.
For more recreation and community resources within the City of Ottawa, refer to the Partners and Community Organizations page.
If you would like to add your rural community/recreation association to this page, or update your information, please send an e-mail to ruralaffairs@ottawa.ca(link opens email application).
Public swimming and skating
The Parks, Recreation and Culture branch offers opportunities for public skating and swimming at the following rural locations. Drop-in schedules for skating and swimming are on the facility pages.
Rural public swimming (indoor pools)
- CARDELREC Recreation Complex Goulbourn
- 1500 Shea Road
- Ray Friel Recreation Complex
- 1585 Tenth Line
Rural public skating schedules (arenas)
- CARDELREC Recreation Complex Goulbourn
- 1500 Shea Road
- Fred Barrett Arena (Leitrim)
- 3280 Leitrim Road
- Manotick Community Centre and Mike O’Neil Arena
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- 5572 Doctor Leach Drive
- Metcalfe Community Centre and Larry Robinson Arena
- 2785 8th Line
- Navan Memorial Centre
- 1295 Colonial Road
- Richmond Arena
- 6095 Perth Street
- Osgoode Community Centre and Stuart Holmes Arena
- 5660 Osgoode Main Street
- W. Erskine Johnston Arena (Carp)
- 3832 Carp Road
- R.J. Kennedy Arena (Cumberland)
- 115 Dunning Road
- Ray Friel Recreation Complex
- 1585 Tenth Line
- West Carleton Community Complex (Kinburn)
- 5670 Carp Road
Community outdoor rink program
The City of Ottawa Parks and Recreation branch values the role that the community plays in the outdoor rink program. We encourage service partnerships with community associations, non-profit organizations, service clubs, volunteer groups and sports leagues. The City supports community groups that want to operate an outdoor rink with funding, tools and access to lighting and water. Rink sponsors are responsible for maintaining the ice surface and supervision of the program.
For more Information: Please contact the Seasonal Recreation Office at 613-580-2590 or e-mail seasonalrecreation@ottawa.ca(link opens email application).
Riding Snowmobiles and All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) in Ottawa
The use of snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and off-road vehicles (ORVs) on public roads and other municipal property is regulated by the ATV, ORV and Snowmobile By-law. Riders should also be aware of and comply with provincial regulations including:
- The Highway Traffic Act(link is external)
- The Motorized Snow Vehicles Act(link is external)
- The Off-Road Vehicles Act(link is external)
ATVs, ORVs and snowmobiles are only permitted on their designated trails during specific times of the year. Riders may need a permit from the local clubs to ride on these trails. Please contact the local snowmobile club or ATV club for more details.
Trails and forest access roads are often shared by other users including hunters, hikers, cyclists, dogwalkers and equestrians, as well as skiers and snowshoers in winter. They may also be used by wildlife! Respect other users, including wildlife.
Riding ATV/ORVs in Municipal Natural Areas
The only Municipal Natural Area within the City of Ottawa that permits ATV/ORV riding is the Marlborough Forest. This use is only permitted from September through December, when the gates are open, and riders must stay on the designated forest access roads Opens in a new tab or window(link is external) . Riding in the Marlborough Forest is prohibited outside of the permitted/posted time period. ATV riding is also prohibited on trails that are not part of the forest access road network. Bypassing the gates is strictly prohibited.
“Mud bogging” and other off-trail riding is prohibited as it causes significant damage to wildlife habitats and natural vegetation.
For complete information, please refer to the ATV, ORV and Snowmobile By-law (By-law No. 2019-421). To find out more safety tips, please visit Off-Road Safety(link is external).
If you have questions or comments about the ATV trail network in Osgoode Ward, please contact the City of Ottawa at RuralAffairs@ottawa.ca(link opens email application).