June 24th, 2022 | Crystal Beach / Lakeview Park

Crystal Beach Lakeview – your country in the city

This area of Ottawa is a hidden gem – is it possible the residents don’t want you to know how fabulous it is? Patti Brown has lived in Crystal Beach Lakeview almost as long as she has been with the Chell Team, and insists this isn’t the case at all, and wants everyone to know why she never wants to leave what she calls her “country in the city.”

Crystal Beach was established in the 1960s by Minto, using the beach to attract homeowners who wanted a high quality of outdoors amenities. The community has expanded a lot since then but retained its commitment to the outdoors; you can sail, skate, bike, run and swim within a short walk from your home.

If you want an outdoors lifestyle close to the water, but want to be close to the city, from Crystal Beach Lakeview you are only 15 minutes to downtown Ottawa, and can access the highway in minutes.

Looking for more Ottawa neighbourhoods? Read our complete guide to relocating to Ottawa right here.

Who lives in Crystal Beach and Lakeview Park?

The community describes itself as a tight-knit, friendly and health-conscious community that prefers to exercise outdoors. It’s home to everyone from young families to retirees who have been living in the neighbourhood for decades. The access to trails and the river means you will frequently meet your neighbours as they run, bike or take the dog for a walk.

Residents are an equal mix of singles, couples, and families, with many residents having returned with their own families after growing up there, and original homeowners who continue to appreciate the social and active aspects of the community.

If you love walking by the water and year-round sports

Crystal Beach Lakeview is home to some of the city’s most beautiful waterfront. If you like to sail, there is the Nepean Sailing Club at Dick Bell Park, which also has the Galley restaurant and bar where you can enjoy amazing harbour views and wildlife watching. Andrew Haydon Park is one of Ottawa’s best places to enjoy a picnic on one of the pavilions, relax by the bandshell, make lunch at one of the BBQs and catch a sunset as you end your day. Corkstown Park has an outdoor pool for cooling off in summer, and if you enjoy racket sports, the Crystal Beach Tennis Club has three tennis courts.

In winter you can skate at Maki Park and Lakeview Park or join the Ottawa West Winter Trail (OWWT) for cross-country skiing, hiking, fat biking and snowshoeing.

Learn more about some of Ottawa’s other great neighbourhoods here:

A sense of belonging was voted as a community priority

The Crystal Beach Lakeview Community Association (CBLCA) surveyed residents in 2020 to create a vision for the future of the community. Feedback was structured in four priorities; Sense of Belonging, Mobility; Intensification; and Conservation, which really tells you a lot about the community and what is important to them, and how they maintain a high quality of life and access to the outdoors.

The community said that they felt that Crystal Beach Lakeview is not just surrounded by nature but integrated with it and are committed to conserving this. They also wanted to continue the sense of belonging for current and new residents through their active community program which currently includes pub nights, a Strawberry Social, Winter Carnival and Wheel Day where residents have their bike tuned up and participate in fun activities. Maki House also hosts The Friendship Club, Maki House Moms social meet-up, a comprehensive youth activities program, Girl Guides and yoga.

Stunning split-level homes close to the water

The majority of homes were built in the 1960s and 70s in split-level ranch style or large bungalows with modern sloping roofs on large lots. Over 84% of the homes are owned by residents, with the majority having lived there for over five years. Residents want to keep the character of the community, which is reflected in the small number of newer infill style homes. Wherever you choose to settle here, you are a five-to-15-minute walk to the water, a luxury you can enjoy every day.

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Great schools to choose from

Crystal Beach Lakeview has six quality schools for your family; Lakeview Public School, Our Lady of Peace Catholic Elementary, Bells Corners Public School, St. Paul High School, Bell High School and Collège Catholique Franco-Ouest.

Getting around the city and neighbourhood

Within 15 minutes you can be in downtown Ottawa, you also have quick access to highway 417 and 416, highway 7, and you are only a 10 minute drive to the Canadian Tire Centre for sporting events and concerts. Patti loves that everything she needs is within 10 minutes, be it the morning walk along the water, the fashion at Bayshore Shopping Centre, groceries at Bells Corners or Kanata Tanger Outlets. There are bus transit stations at Moodie Drive and Bayshore, which will also connect to the cities light rail network.

Are you looking to buy your dream home in Crystal Beach? Check out some of our buying resources here to get started:

In the neighbourhood survey, to further emphasize how active and progressive the community is, residents also said they get around the neighbourhood by; “wheelchair; bike; rollerblades; canoe; boat; snowshoeing; and virtually via Facebook.” Let us introduce you to this country in the city.

The Chell Team is just a phone call or email away. Contact us to arrange a meeting with Susan Chell, Patti Brown or Sarah Toll today for your free home market evaluation or check out the Chell Team real estate listings.