Rockcliffe Park
A heritage conservation district on the Ottawa River, with large lots, mature trees and no commercial activity in the village.
Rockcliffe Park is a neighbourhood in northeast Ottawa, on the southern bank of the Ottawa River. Population: 1,650 (2021).
Updated · Facts on this page link to their sources
About Rockcliffe Park
Rockcliffe Park is a neighbourhood in northeast Ottawa, on the southern bank of the Ottawa River. The 2021 census, via the Ottawa Neighbourhood Study, counted 1,650 residents in 675 private dwellings, with a median age of 50.0. Single-detached houses made up 91.9% of dwellings and 97.3% of households owned their home. Wikipedia describes a park-like setting of narrow curving roads, many trees, large lots and gardens, and notes that the entire village is a Heritage Conservation District.
Boundaries
Ottawa Neighbourhood Study area: Rockcliffe Park. ons-sqo.ca ons-sqo.ca
Homes
In the 2021 census, via the Ottawa Neighbourhood Study, 91.9% of Rockcliffe Park dwellings were single-detached houses and 6.3% were row houses. Semi-detached houses, apartments and duplex flats each registered 0.0%. Owner households made up 97.3% and renter households 2.7%, with an average household size of 3.0. ons-sqo.ca
- Entire village is a Heritage Conservation District (designated 1977; plan approved 2016).
- Tree canopy covered 52.6% of the area in 2024 (Ottawa Neighbourhood Study).
- Owner households: 97.3% (2021 census).
- Rockcliffe Park Public School is about 0.3 km away, with Elmwood School and Ashbury College also in the area (straight-line distances).
- Rideau station on the O-Train Line 1 is about 3.2 km away in a straight line.
- No commercial activity in the village, per Wikipedia; the nearest supermarket listed is about 1.4 km away.
How Rockcliffe Park came to be
- 1864
Rockcliffe Park was founded by Thomas Keefer, following the principles of the Picturesque tradition. en.wikipedia.org
- 1908
Rockcliffe Park was organized as a police village. en.wikipedia.org
- 1926
Rockcliffe Park became an independent village. en.wikipedia.org
- 1977
The entire village of Rockcliffe Park was designated a Heritage Conservation District. en.wikipedia.org
- 2001
Rockcliffe Park amalgamated with the rest of Ottawa on January 1, and the role of Mayor of Rockcliffe Park was eliminated. en.wikipedia.org
- 2016
Ottawa City Council approved the Rockcliffe Park Heritage Conservation District Plan, which aims to conserve the park-like qualities of the area and the buildings and properties that contribute to its heritage character. en.wikipedia.org
- 2019
In May, the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal sided with the owner of 270 Buchan Rd and ordered the city to issue a demolition permit, in a case about the heritage designation of a single property. en.wikipedia.org
The Dutch royal family lived in Rockcliffe Park during World War II. Their former home, Stornoway, is now the residence of the leader of the Official Opposition. en.wikipedia.org
Local names worth knowing
- Thomas Keefer
Founded Rockcliffe Park in 1864. en.wikipedia.org
- Beatrix
The eldest Dutch princess attended Rockcliffe Park Public School, whose gymnasium is now called Queen Juliana Hall. en.wikipedia.org
- Beryl Plumptre
Led Rockcliffe Park as mayor from 1978 to 1985. en.wikipedia.org
- Patrick Murray
Led Rockcliffe Park as mayor from 1985 to 2000, the last holder of the office before amalgamation. en.wikipedia.org
Around Rockcliffe Park
Walking rings at 5, 10 and 15 minutes from the neighbourhood centre.
Schools
8 nearbyRockcliffe Park Public School
OCDSB350 ch. Buena Vista Rdmaps.ottawa.ca ocdsb.ca
290 m4 min walkElmwood School
Independent261 ch. Buena Vista Rdmaps.ottawa.ca
320 m4 min walkAshbury College
Independent362 av. Mariposa Avemaps.ottawa.ca
480 m6 min walkSt. Brigid School
OCSB200 ch. Springfield Rdmaps.ottawa.ca ocsb.ca
730 m9 min walkFern Hill School
Independent50 rue Vaughan Stmaps.ottawa.ca
1.3 km17 min walkTrille-des-Bois Public Elementary School
CÉPEO140 rue Genest Stmaps.ottawa.ca cepeo.on.ca
1.4 km17 min walkMacDonald-Cartier Academy
Independent270 rue Crichton Stmaps.ottawa.ca
1.5 km18 min walkManor Park Public School
OCDSB100 rue Braemar Stmaps.ottawa.ca ocdsb.ca
1.6 km20 min walk
Straight-line distances from the Rockcliffe Park centre. Living near a school does not guarantee a place: confirm the designated school for an address with each board. All schools and board locators.
Parks & places
8 nearbyRecreational Trail
Passive Recreation park
411 Cloverdale Road, Rockcliffe Parkmaps.ottawa.ca
150 m2 min walkRockcliffe Park Library / Community Hall
Active Recreation park
380 Springfield Road, Rockcliffe Parkmaps.ottawa.ca
250 m3 min walkRockcliffe Park Community Centre
Community Centre
380 Springfield Rdmaps.ottawa.ca ottawa.ca
250 m3 min walkOutdoor rink, Village Green Park
Outdoor rink (winter, weather permitting)
270 Springfield Rd.maps.ottawa.ca ottawa.ca
280 m4 min walkVillage Green Park
Active Recreation park
270 Springfield Road, Rockcliffe Parkmaps.ottawa.ca
350 m4 min walkCaldwell-Carver Conservation Area
Passive Recreation park · waterfront access
750 Hillsdale Road, Rockcliffe Parkmaps.ottawa.ca
590 m7 min walkOutdoor rink, Lindenlea Park
Outdoor rink (winter, weather permitting)
15 Rockcliffe Waymaps.ottawa.ca ottawa.ca
800 m10 min walkLinden Lea Community Centre
Community Centre
15 Rockcliffe Waymaps.ottawa.ca ottawa.ca
850 m11 min walk
Shops & dining
3 nearbyWholehealth Pharmacy
Pharmacy
222 Beechwood Avenueopenstreetmap.org
1.1 km13 min walkMetro
Supermarket
50 Beechwood Avenueopenstreetmap.org
1.4 km18 min walkGuardian
Pharmacy
5 Beechwood Avenueopenstreetmap.org
1.5 km19 min walk
Getting around
TransitO-Train
Rideau station is about 3.2 km away in a straight line (open; Line 1).
O-Train
uOttawa station is about 3.6 km away in a straight line (open; Line 1).
Transitway / bus
Laurier North station is about 3.2 km away in a straight line (open).
Downtown
Parliament Hill is about 3.7 km away in a straight line.
For sale in Rockcliffe Park
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Neighbouring areas
Quick answers
Short answers first; each links to the full answer and its sources.
Is Rockcliffe Park a good place to live?
Whether Rockcliffe Park suits you depends on what you want from a neighbourhood. It is a green, low-density heritage village where 97.3% of households own their home and tree canopy covered 52.6% of the area in 2024. It has no commercial activity in the village, and 86.1% of workers commuted by car in the 2021 census.
As of 2026-10 · ons-sqo.ca en.wikipedia.org
Where is Rockcliffe Park in Ottawa?
Rockcliffe Park is a neighbourhood northeast of downtown Ottawa, on the southern bank of the Ottawa River. It is about 3.7 km in a straight line from Parliament Hill. Per City of Ottawa ward data, October 2026, it is in Ward 13 (Rideau-Rockcliffe).
As of 2026-10 · en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org
How far is Rockcliffe Park from downtown Ottawa?
Rockcliffe Park is about 3.7 km from downtown Ottawa as the crow flies, measured to Parliament Hill. Actual travel distance by road will be longer. The nearest O-Train station, Rideau, is about 3.2 km away in a straight line.
As of 2026-10 · en.wikipedia.org wikidata.org
What schools serve Rockcliffe Park?
Rockcliffe Park Public School (OCDSB) is the nearest public elementary school, about 0.3 km away in a straight line. St. Brigid School (OCSB) is about 0.7 km away, and independent schools Elmwood School and Ashbury College are also close. Families must confirm the school for a specific address with each board's school locator.
As of 2026-10 · maps.ottawa.ca maps.ottawa.ca
Are there French-language schools in Rockcliffe Park?
City of Ottawa data lists two French-language public schools near Rockcliffe Park, both run by CÉPEO. Trille-des-Bois Public Elementary School is about 1.3 km from the neighbourhood centre, and De la Salle Public High School is roughly 2 km away, both in a straight line. Families must confirm eligibility and catchment with the board.
As of 2026-10 · maps.ottawa.ca maps.ottawa.ca
Which high schools are near Rockcliffe Park?
City of Ottawa data lists two secondary options near Rockcliffe Park. Elmwood School, an independent school with elementary and secondary levels, is about 0.3 km away, and De la Salle Public High School (CÉPEO, French-language) is roughly 2 km away, both in a straight line. Families should ask the OCDSB and OCSB which secondary schools serve a specific address.
As of 2026-10 · maps.ottawa.ca maps.ottawa.ca