Ottawa is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River, east of Southern Ontario. It borders the cities of Quebec and Gatineau.

How to Reach Plane --- Ottawa is served by its main international airport, Ottawa Macdonald -Cartier International Airport, which services several Canadian and American cities, with international flights to some European cities, such as London and Frankfurt.

Bus--- the city has easily accessible buses with their public transport system named OC Transpo, which serves areas around the city. The Greyhound offers long-haul trips to neighboring cities.

Boat--- water shuttle taxis that are eco-friendly can take passengers through the Ottawa and Gatineau River.

Train--- there is a major train station in Ottawa located downtown.

Taxi --- taxi services are easily accessible in Ottawa's downtown districts.

Bike --- Ottawa has more than 200 km of bike paths and tourists and visitors can rent bikes all around the city.

When to Visit

The best time to visit Ottawa is between March and May. This is when temperatures start to rise and the city is in bloom. The summer season is the most popular time to visit the city, as the good weather coincides with Ottawa's celebration of special events.

If you've been to Europe a few times already,chances are that you've hit all the big destinations: London, Paris, Rome,Berlin.On your next trip you can either visit those same cities a second time,or instead you can take a chance and walk the streets of some cities that are a little bit smaller,a little bit less famous,but still full of European grace and charm.Here are four European cities to visit that you probably haven't been to yet.

Besancon,France

This hidden French city has had a long reputation for being a well-kept secret.It can be at once sleepy with few tourists but abundant galleries,restaurants,and a wonderful Beaux Arts museum whose collection is second only to the Louvre.The city is wound by the River Doubs and also touts (吹捧) its own UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Citadel,home to several small museums and a zoo.

Seville,Spain

For the tourist who is already tired of Barcelona and Madrid,Seville offers a different take (意见) on Spain. Located on the Southern coast,it keeps beautiful signs of the long period of Moorish rule,nowhere more than in the Alcázar palace building,just one of the city's UNESCO World Heritage Sites.Seville has over a dozen museums, tropical parkland,and probably the best tapas (餐前小吃) culture in all of Spain.

Ghent,Belgium

Ghent is a city that looks like it should be the setting for a fairy tale. All of the typical Belgium features abound here-waffles and beer.Every year from Saturday before July 21,Ghent hosts a ten-day festival.This music and theater festival draws almost 2 million visitors,as the city streets transform into performance spaces for performers,buskers (街头艺人) and musicians.

Palermo,Italy

Palermo is the capital city of Sicily,the southern island off the coast of mainland Italy.The city has an ancient history,and the various cultures that have controlled the island through the years have all left their marks on it. You can see winding street markets,antique (古玩) fairs,and open air nightclubs here.

Picnic Shelter Reservations

Vancouver Parks and Recreation maintains four covered picnic shelters that are available for reservation at the following parks:

● Fisher Basin Community Park

● Leroy Haagen Memorial Park

● Marine Community Park

● Marshall Community Park

Picnic shelters are available to reserve between May 1 and September 30 each year. Reservations are for the entire day with a reservation fee of $100. When not reserved, shelters are available for free. Reserve a picnic shelter by calling 360-487-7100.

Shelter Reservation Cancellation Policy

If canceled one month or more before the rental date, 100% of the fee will be refunded. If canceled 1-4 weeks before the rental date, 75% of the fee will be refunded. No refunds will be granted if the reservation is canceled less than one week prior to the rental date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is there a way to find out if an event is already scheduled at a park?

Yes. Contact Marshall Community Center at 360-487-7100 to find out about events taking place in our parks.

Q: What amenities (are included with a picnic shelter reservation?

Reservations include use of all picnic tables located within the shelter and centricity (there is no electricity at Marine Park). Playground amenities and restrooms will be shared with the public.

Park Use Permits

Depending on the type of event you’re hosting, you will need to get a Park Use Permit from Vancouver Parks and Recreation. A Park Use Permit gives you permission to bring special items and equipment into the park.