Blackburn Hamlet
Blackburn Hamlet is residential area of about 9,000 residents, situated due east of Ottawa. Thought of as an outer suburb of Ottawa, it was independent until the merger with the city of Gloucester in 2001. It continues to be a partly rural area, with older regions dispersed amid many newer housing developments. Although the area has the charm of country village living, it is located only 10 minutes away from downtown Ottawa, giving it the best of both worlds. The Hamlet is also friendly to pedestrians and cyclists, being connected by a series of bike paths and parks.
The first settlers to the region came between 1803 and 1811, most of whom were of English or Irish ancestry. The town is named after Robert Blackburn, a previous Member of Parliament for Russell. A hundred years afterward, in 1958, the government afforded authorization to the National Capital Commission to found the greenbelt, which displaced a segment of the community and spurred redevelopment. Renamed Blackburn Hamlet, the earliest occupants settled in 1967.
Blackburn Hamlet is known locally as “The Hamlet” and is framed by the NCC Greenbelt. This land furnishes residents and tourists with more than 250 kms of hiking and cross-country ski trails. This area is also home to Green’s Creek, one of the areas most coveted toboggan hills. The Hornet’s Nets, a series of soccer fields that sponsors international soccer tournaments is also found here. You can also find a co-op garden preserved by locals for more than 25 years at the Hornet’s Nest. The Hamlet is also renowned for its indoor recreation dome, known as the SuperDome.
Although there are many schools in The Hamlet, the most noteworthy is the Louis Riel French public high school, home to North America’s biggest air supported fabric structure, comprised of 12,422 square meters of recreation space.
If you will be moving to The Hamlet, you will want some handy moving tips:
1. Select a mover and a storage facility five weeks before you move
2. You can sell items you rarely use in a yard sale before the move
3. Mark your packing boxes clearly, so you will know what is in them
4. Professional packing tape works better than masking tape
5. Leave clothes on hangers when shipping and use wardrobe boxes if you can find them
6. Try to get free boxes from your local community center or classifieds
7. You can prove damages easier if you make a photographic inventory of valuables
8. Picture frame glass survives the move better when frames are packed upright
9. Keep cleaning supplies handy so you can clean your new home before you unpack
10. Be sure to keep essentials in a separate box and keep it handy
Whether you are moving to The Hamlet or just visiting, this charming area has much to offer.