National Forest Week: Guided Forest Walk

​Celebrate National Forest Day with a guided walking tour through one of Ottawa’s hidden natural gems. Join Aileen Duncan, a certified arborist and professional forester, for a walk through Hampton Park’s woodlot a remnant old-growth forest that predates the development of the Westboro neighbourhood.

​Aileen will lead the group through key topics in forest ecology and biodiversity, the many benefits trees provide to our communities, and the principles of forest stewardship. It’s a rare chance to learn about a piece of old-growth forest history right in the heart of the city.

​The details:

• ​🗓️Wednesday, September 23, 2026

• ​🕕 5:30 to 7:00 pm (sunsets around 7:15pm)

• ​🗾 Hampton Park, Ottawa

• ​📍Meeting point: Trailhead at the NCC parking lot, 512 Island Park Drive

• ​🌳 Hosted by Aileen Duncan, Forester & Arborist

• ​🎟️ Free. Donations to Forêt Capitale Forest are greatly appreciated.

• ​👥Event size: Maximum 40 people

​What to bring:

• ​🥾Comfortable walking shoes

• ​🦟 Bug spray

• ​🔦 Headlamp (optional)

​Accessibility Information:

• ​Route surface: approximately 40% hard-packed, 60% natural/dirt trail

• ​Some sections may have a turning radius under 1 metre

• ​No stairs and no major elevation changes

• ​Minor trail obstacles (e.g., fallen logs) are possible but not expected

​Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy, closed-toe footwear suitable for uneven trail surfaces.