The best known are the tulip beds along the canal and at Dow’s Lake. No secret there. A nice walk is around McKay Lake in Rockcliffe and in the gardens that branch off from it, further along Sussex after the Governor General’s grounds and below the house of the US Ambassador. Hard to explain how to get there exactly by car as I usually take a bike along Sussex toward the Aviation Museum, but you have to turn off before reaching the Canadian Police College. Also check out the grounds around the GG’s residence. They are popular but really nice, especially early on a summer weekday. Hope this helps a bit. When I think of green spaces, I usually think of Gatineau Park, but it’s not a garden. It is a great place to walk though, if you want to get outside. Go to the information Center in old Chelsea for maps. Bugs in June and early July - hazard of the region, I’m afraid.

Major’s Hill park is actually really nice! It’s right in between the Byward market and Parliament Hill. Also, Confederation Park is another great downtown green space.

Gatineau Park in Quebec has lots of trails, lakes, and lookouts. Getting there on foot will be a problem but The STO Bus company has routes 11, 31, & 32 that leave from Ottawa and go to the Gatineau Park visitor center. I have not used the bus bit the bus map shows these routes. http://www.sto.ca/fileadmin/user_upload/communications/PDF/Carte_reseau/Carte_reseau.pdf

Money's Bay
The Pond
Britannia Beach
The Arboretum/Dow's Lake