David Purchase

Neighborhood guide

Navan neighborhood guide

East Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Published August 17, 2026 · by David Purchase

Navan is a charming rural village in east Ottawa offering a tight-knit community atmosphere, local recreation amenities, and convenient commuter access to the broader city.

See the full Navan market report

A Village With Deep Roots in East Ottawa

Navan is a semi-rural community in Ottawa's Orléans South–Navan Ward, centred around the intersection of Colonial Road and Trim Road. The village maintains an active community life driven by the Navan Community Association, which hosts regular meetings and a variety of local events. Surrounded by agricultural land and newer residential developments, Navan blends countryside living with proximity to urban Ottawa and the neighbouring community of Orléans.

  • Location

    East Ottawa, Orléans South–Navan Ward

    en.wikipedia.org

  • Village Core

    Colonial Road and Trim Road

    wheretolive.ca

  • Character

    Semi-rural with single-family homes and new developments

    wheretolive.ca

Community Amenities and Local Gathering Places

Navan offers a focused set of recreation amenities anchored by the Navan Fairgrounds on Colonial Road. The Navan Curling Club, located on Fairgreen Avenue within the fairgrounds, provides curling for all ages as well as indoor pickleball courts. Additional amenities include the Navan Memorial Centre for facility rentals and community events, an outdoor skating rink, and The Original Navan Market held at the fairgrounds.

  • Navan Curling Club

    Fairgreen Avenue, Navan Fairgrounds

    navancurling.ca

  • Navan Memorial Centre

    Community facility for rentals and events

    navan.on.ca

  • Outdoor Skating Rink

    Community rink in Navan

    navan.on.ca

  • The Original Navan Market

    Held at Colonial Road fairgrounds

    navan.on.ca

Schools Serving Navan Families

Navan is served by the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board for English public education. Heritage Public School, located within the village, is the local English public elementary school. Secondary school options and schools from the English Catholic and French-language boards are available within the broader City of Ottawa, with assignments determined by board boundaries.

  • Heritage Public School

    English public elementary, OCDSB

    ocdsb.ca

  • School Board

    Ottawa-Carleton District School Board

    ocdsb.ca

Parks, Trails, and Village Life

Navan provides residents with green spaces including Clark Woods Park on Forest Lea Drive, Navan Centennial Park on Colonial Road, and parkland on Smith Road with community nature trails. The Prescott-Russell Pathway, running from Mer Bleue along an old railway bed, passes through the area and connects to trails beyond city limits. The annual Navan Fair, held each August at the fairgrounds off Colonial Road, is a beloved tradition featuring live entertainment, exhibitions, and a community parade.

  • Clark Woods Park

    Forest Lea Drive, Navan

    navan.on.ca

  • Navan Centennial Park

    Colonial Road, Navan

    navan.on.ca

  • Prescott-Russell Pathway

    Multi-use trail from Mer Bleue through Navan

    navan.on.ca

  • Navan Fair

    Annual August event at fairgrounds, Colonial Road

    wheretolive.ca

Getting Around From Navan

Navan is connected to the rest of Ottawa by OC Transpo bus routes serving the community, with park-and-ride options available for commuters. Navan Road links the village to Orléans and Blackburn Hamlet, while Highway 174 and Highway 417 provide broader east-west commuter corridors. Most residents rely on personal vehicles for daily errands and commuting, with urban amenities and larger retail centres accessible in nearby Orléans.

  • OC Transpo Service

    Routes 228 and 302 serve Navan

    octranspo.com

  • Key Road Link

    Navan Road connects to Orléans and Blackburn Hamlet

    allthingshome.ca

  • Highway Access

    Highway 174 and Highway 417 corridors

    allthingshome.ca

Frequently asked questions

What schools are available in Navan, Ottawa?

Heritage Public School is the local English public elementary school in Navan, operated by the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board. Secondary and other board schools are located in the broader Ottawa area, with assignments based on school board boundaries.

How do residents of Navan commute to downtown Ottawa?

Residents can use OC Transpo bus routes 228 and 302, which serve the Navan area. Many commuters also drive via Navan Road to Orléans or connect to Highway 174 and Highway 417 for access to downtown Ottawa and other parts of the city.

What recreation amenities are in Navan?

Navan offers the Navan Curling Club with curling and indoor pickleball, the Navan Memorial Centre for community events, an outdoor skating rink, and green spaces including Clark Woods Park, Navan Centennial Park, and the Prescott-Russell Pathway trail. The annual Navan Fair at the fairgrounds is one of the community's signature events.

Is Navan a good neighbourhood for families?

Navan appeals to families with its village atmosphere, local elementary school, community recreation facilities, and safe semi-rural setting. The Navan Community Association hosts regular events, and the area's parks, trails, and fairgrounds provide year-round activities for children and adults.

Are there shopping options in Navan?

Navan is a small village with limited retail within its boundaries. Residents typically access larger shopping centres, grocery stores, and full-service amenities in nearby Orléans and other urban areas of Ottawa. The Original Navan Market at the fairgrounds provides a local shopping experience on a seasonal basis.

Sources