Advisories

Water: Potable water is unavailable at Vincent Massey Park until further notice due to a major water-line break. Investigations are ongoing.

Electricity: Access to electrical outlets is no longer available at Vincent Massey Park.

Shelter: For public safety reasons, the shelter at the north side of Vincent Massey Park is not accessible until further notice.

Vincent Massey Park offers wooded walking paths and picnic areas for enjoying the outdoors.

The park is open daily from May to mid‑October (weather permitting), 7 am to dusk (no later than 10 pm).

Visiting Vincent Massey Park

Vincent Massey Park is located at the intersection of Heron Road and Riverside Drive, in Ottawa.

Important changes

As of May 1, 2026, picnic reservations and special event permits are no longer permitted at Vincent Massey Park. The park remains open for small, informal gatherings on a first‑come, first‑served basis only.

The following guidelines help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors.

  • Small picnic gatherings and leisure activities that do not require installations or equipment.
  • Use of park‑provided picnic tables, on-site barbecue pits, on-site shelters and open grassy areas.
  • Large gatherings and events requiring a special event permit.
  • Tents, stages, tables, banquet chairs, bouncy castles, wedding arches, other installations or temporary structures, and decorations or signage affixed onto NCC infrastructure and trees.
  • Amplified music and sound systems.
  • Caterers and food trucks.
  • Commercial activities, solicitation, fundraising or exchange of money.
  • Alcoholic beverages.
  • Access to power outlets.
  • Open‑air fires.
  • Dogs or other pets.
  • Driving or parking in unauthorized areas.

Submit an Event permit application for other NCC sites, such as Hog’s Back Park.

  • Approval is not guaranteed. Application and land use fees apply if approved.
  • Space availability is limited. 

Facilities

  • Parking: In operation year-round. 7 am to dusk (no later than 10 pm). Automated system with pay at exit. Parking lot closed 10 pm to 7 am, daily. Please note that the north parking lot is closed to the public.
    • Vehicles: $1 per half hour (max. 8$ per day)
    • Buses: $24 daily flat rate
    • At toll booth: credit card (MasterCard, Visa, Discovery and American Express), debit and cash ($20, $10, $5, $2, $1).
    • At exit gate: credit card only
  • Washrooms: May to mid-October (weather permitting). Open 8 am to dusk, daily.
  • Picnic Areas: Vincent Massey Park is an excellent picnic spot, equipped with picnic tables and barbecue pits.
  • Universal Accessibility: The park is universally accessible.

Parking Permit

Monthly parking permits are available for weekday access (Monday to Friday) to the paid parking lot at Vincent Massey Park.

  • Cost : $62 + tax (valid Monday to Friday)
Buy a parking permit

Should you have any technical difficulties purchasing your parking permit, please call Precise Parklink at 1-888-783-7275 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm).

History

Vincent Massey Park covers an area of 28.9 hectares, and is located on Riverside Drive and Heron Road in Ottawa. The park was once joined to Hog’s Back Park, until the parks were divided by Heron Road in 1969. The park was named after Governor General Vincent Massey.