Basketball Courts in Ottawa: 8 Best Courts for Active Summer Outdoors
Our experts have listed below the top 8 places for all those interested in playing and watching basketball.
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Do you know that playing basketball for 2 hours every day can burn up to 300 calories? Basketball courts do not need to be spectacular in design to achieve their purpose. In fact, they only need to be ninety-four feet by fifty feet while containing two hoops on the far side of each other. What differentiates one court from the other is a combination of facilities, maintenance, location, and the people who play over there. There are many indoor and outdoor basketball courts in Ottawa.
Whether you are looking for recreational basketball or are an avid player, you’ll find several indoor and outdoor courts for people with different sports abilities.
At Kent Chiro-Med, we believe that being active is crucial for staying healthy. Playing basketball is a great way to improve stamina, build endurance, and burn calories.This blog post lists the locations of some of the best basketball courts in Ottawa. Our expert physiotherapists have done some research to find information about their:
- Quality and maintenance
- Availability of equipment
- The environment and the demographics of the players
- Other sports facilities around, e.g. a soccer field etc.
- User-friendliness, e.g. availability of parking, restrooms etc.
- Any other quality that makes it stand out.
We interviewed some of the people who regularly play games on these courts besides visiting these courts ourselves. We have also dug out online reviews about these courts to understand the experience of people over there.
Most of the courts that made it to our list are free to use. We also tried to accurately mention the timings when they tend to be busier than usual, but it should be kept in mind that these timings can vary due to weather changes.
Are you interested in playing sports in Ottawa?
Check out our round-up of the best volleyball courts in Ottawa, the best tennis courts in Ottawa, and the best calisthenics parks in Ottawa.
Contact Info
Address:
68 Elm St, Ottawa, ON K1R 6N3, Canada
Why do we like this place?
If you are looking for a family-friendly place to play basketball, Chaudière Park is your go-to place. The park is located on the western shore of Chaudières Island, and it has some excellent basketball courts. The beauty of this place is further enhanced by the views of the Ottawa River and Chaudières Falls. It is an ideal place for young as well as experienced basketball enthusiasts.
This place also caters to your kids as it has a separate kids’ park. The park is a great place to while away an afternoon, either shooting hoops or watching others play. You can expect a full-court pickup game or two happening over the weekends.
Pros
- An easily accessible network of pathways.
- Scenic views of the Ottawa River and Chaudières Falls.
- An ideal spot for family outings during summer.
- A separate playground with climbing walls and a play structure.
- Swimming pool
- A separate space for dogs.
Cons
- The sand in the play area is often contaminated with insects. Some online reviewers also complained that the sand had animal poop. One of the reviewers reported seeing a rotting bird corpse in the play section.
- The gym area of this park is small, with many tripping hazards.
- The park has no place for dog swimming.
- No proper restrooms.
Contact Info
Address:
166 Frank St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1M9, Canada
Phone number: +16135802595
Why do we like this place?
If you are looking for a beginner-friendly place to play basketball, this is the best place. The courts are well-maintained, and you can find a mix of beginners and experts playing here. Everyone is quite encouraging towards the beginners who can always visit this place, pick up games, and polish their skills.
There is also a callisthenics gym here. The ideal location of this park makes it the dream place of every basketball enthusiast. The other features of this park include a tennis court, a children’s swimming pool during the summer season, and a park fieldhouse with a washroom. It is undoubtedly one of the best places for playing basketball.
Pros
- A very well-maintained basketball court.
- Tennis courts are also available.
- Swimming pool
- A very clean and safe environment is suitable for families.
- Play structures and swings in the playground.
- An ideal place for picnics, dog walking, and socializing
Cons
- There are no restrooms in the park.
- The park has fewer green spaces and seems more of a community complex with different sports facilities scattered across the park.
- There are wasps in the park. If you or your kids are allergic, be prepared.
Contact Info
Address:
349 Bruyère St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5G9, Canada
Why do we like this place?
This place is a gem for athletes and enthusiasts. There are competitive half-court pickup games every day at 6. pm. The park is notorious for hosting/producing serious athletes. The energy at these courts is just as competitive as it is down by the Rideau River.
The courts are well-maintained, and the players can enjoy the game at night as the place has a proper arrangement of lighting for night-time play. The park is a little segregated from the residential area, so you can’t possibly disturb anyone during your game at night.
Pros
- This park is situated next to the Rideau River and has some beautiful scenic views.
- Night games can also be played. The players can enjoy the game with peace of mind at night.
- The play area is fenced.
- The basketball courts are in excellent condition as they have hoops with mesh and excellent-condition asphalt.
- Onsite parking is available.
- It is isolated from the residential area.
Cons
- It is quite crowded, especially over the weekends.
Don't let sports injuries hold you back
From diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation, we're here to support you every step of the way.
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Physiotherapist
Contact Info
Address:
24 Brunswick St, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Why do we like this place?
The park is quite well-maintained. The hoops and nets are well taken care of. If you are a beginner, you need not worry. The park has a very friendly atmosphere and supports a wide range of basketball abilities. You can easily join in on a game that has already started or join up with others waiting for a hoop to open up.
If you ever want to switch up the game, there are multi-purpose outdoor fields where you can play soccer or volleyball. There is a ping-pong table here too. The demographic here is a mix of adults and high school kids, so the level of competition tends to vary.
Pros
- Well-maintained courts.
- An outdoor workout area for fitness lovers, volleyball courts, and a trail for walking.
- Family-friendly environment.
- A play area with swings and sets for kids.
- There is also a ping-pong table.
- The visitors can also do pull-ups and dips as the park has exercise bars.
- There is also a dog area.
Cons
- Sometimes, the trees and grass are not maintained. This results in bug infestation.
Contact Info
Address:
442 Coronation Ave., Ottawa, ON K1G 0Y9, Canada
Phone number: +16135802400
Why do we like this place?
It’s a small picturesque park near the Trainyards Shopping Centre. When we visited this park, we noticed a group of bigger kids and grown-ups playing a game on the court. The court was in good shape and seemed to be well-maintained.
The park had some play structures and two sets of swings for small kids. One of the best things that we noticed about the park was an adjoining wooded area that could transport you away from the city for a length of a stroll. It does make a nice place for a picnic, with many trees to offer shade.
Pros
- Well-maintained basketball courts with nets for kids and youth.
- Very calm and serene environment. Benches are also available for picnics.
- A family-friendly park. It has two sets of swings for kids in the play area.
- The visitors can enjoy various sports facilities. These include a soccer field, a tennis court, a baseball court, and a sports center.
- Sports equipment is available.
Cons
- The park has no restrooms.
- Sometimes, the park is quite unclean. Some residents complained of seeing broken glass in the play area.
- It doesn’t have enough parking space.
Contact Info
Address:
Lansdowne basketball court, Princess Patricia Way,
Ottawa, ON K1S 5M5, Canada
Why do we like this place?
Landsdowne Park is one of the world-class attractions that offer a lot more than basketball courts. It has something for everyone. Some of the amenities offered in and around the park are the Aberdeen Pavilion and Horticulture Building, civic garden, water plaza, children’s play area, skate park and skating court. Visitors are welcome to use the park daily from 5 am to 11 pm.
The basketball courts are well-designed. During the warmer months, they are always crowded, whereas they are converted into a skating rink in the winter. This location is well-used year-round, which is a compliment to the design of this part of Lansdowne. The court is well-lit till 11:55 pm, so you can play in the evening.
Pros
- There is a play structure next to the courts.
- The nearby Aberdeen Pavilion and Horticultural Building have public washrooms.
- Sylvia Holden Park, which is close by, has a special section for dogs.
- There are nearby picnic tables.
- It is a well-maintained park, with a good basket and a great pitch.
- The park is well-lit for a night-time game.
Cons
- The public washrooms in the nearby buildings are closed at certain times due to special events.
- Sometimes, the park is quite crowded, full of people with different interests. If you are looking for a small park with a basketball-only vibe, this is not the best choice.
Don't let sports injuries hold you back
From diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation, we're here to support you every step of the way.
Dr. Maryam Hassanzadeh, D.C
Sports Specialist
Contact Info
Address:
139 Windhurst Dr, Nepean, ON K2G 6K8, Canada
Why do we like this place?
If you are looking for a place to play with your kids, this is the best place. The court is not very well maintained, and it is not very busy either. You can easily get a chance to play a game whenever you drop in.
This park is also suitable for walking and family activities. There is also a multi-sport court where teenagers are playing soccer. Chapman Mills Park is celebrated for its natural scenery and plenty of trees.
Pros
- The toddler area is separate from the big kid area.
- The park features swings, a big splash page, a basketball area, and a big field.
- Wood chips are around the big play area.
- Sand around the toddler area to make it safe for the kids.
- Good for walking dogs.
- Has one inclusive swing set.
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance.
Cons
- The ground is uneven in spots.
- The mesh is quite damaged.
- The toddler area is very small.
Contact Info
Address:
363 Lorry Greenberg Dr, Ottawa, ON K1T 3P8, Canada
Why do we like this place?
If you are looking forward to playing indoor basketball, Greensboro Community Centre is a great choice. There is a drop in basketball every Saturday evening, free of cost. It is a great place to hang out with like-minded people and play friendly matches.
Pros
- There are nice washrooms, a library, réception, snack machines, and I believe wifi too.
There is a big playground with a water area.
The place has a swing and lots of benches and parking.
Cons
Some online reviewers complain that the staff is non-professional and unhelpful.
- The facility is quite crowded.
Conclusion
All basketball enthusiasts living in Ottawa can enjoy their games in some of the finest indoor and outdoor basketball courts in the city. The basketball courts mentioned above provide fantastic playing experiences and promote a sense of community among players. Whether you’re seeking an indoor escape from the weather or a dynamic outdoor game, Ottawa has it all, making these seven courts the best in town for basketball lovers.
FAQS
Union basketball court and Sprinhurst park are quite secluded, and they are a great choice to play basketball in the evening.
A single basketball game lasts for a total of 48 minutes. It is split up into four 12-minute quarters with two-minute breaks between them. There is also a half-time of 15 minutes. If there is a tie between the two teams, an ‘overtime’ is added which is five minutes long.
According to the National Basketball Association, the dimensions of a basketball court are 94 by 50 feet. The rules of the International Basketball Federation suggest slightly smaller courts, which measure around 28 by 15 meters.
There should be ten players in an indoor basketball court at one time. Additionally, each team can have a total number of seven substitute players. The players who start the match are called the starting lineup or starting five. One of the players stands in the center, two forward players, and two guard players.
When the game is about to end, the team that’s losing starts fouling the other team. They do this to gain back the possession of the ball rather than waste precious time.
Timeouts are called when the coach wants to draw up a play that will lead to a basket. Sometimes, timeouts are called to slow the game down and give your squad a little break. Don’t forget to hydrate!