The Greenbelt was proposed by Jacques Gréber in 1950 as part of his master plan for Ottawa, and the federal government started expropriating land in 1956. Its original purpose included the prevention of urban sprawl, as well as to provide open space for the future development of farms, natural areas and government campuses. At the time, the greenbelt was "intended to circumscribe an area large enough for the accommodation of some 500,000 persons. The inner limit was chosen by considering what area could be economically provided with municipal services."
Development
The City of Ottawa is undergoing an Official Plan Review which, among other things, examines the need for additional land for urban purposes. It considers whether a discussion of urban land should include the option of some development within the Greenbelt and it is intended that this discussion will feed into the NCC’s review of the Greenbelt Master Plan. All views expressed in White Paper are those of the City of Ottawa and not those of the National Capital Commission which owns and operates the Greenbelt. The City of Ottawa has identified more than of the Greenbelt, worth about $1.6 billion, that could be developed, and in their view, without damaging its overall integrity. Environment MinisterJim Prentice, opposed development in what he considered an important part of the city's heritage. Prentice vowed to fight any such move. In 2020, columnist Randall Denley of the Ottawa Citizen described the Greenbelt as "a failed attempt to contain growth, not a collection of natural treasures", and supported development within the Greenbelt because "it would give the city the land capacity it requires and deliver all the environmental, transportation and practical benefits that environment groups envision", while Ottawa city staff stated "Expanding urban lands within the Greenbelt is a more efficient use of resources than beyond it."
Places of interest within the Greenbelt are from east to west:
Green's Creek Conservation Area – a nature reserve of a small tributary of the Ottawa River, cutting through a lush clay valley.
Hornets Nest soccer fields – 11 soccer fields and an air-supported dome for indoor soccer.
Pine View Golf Course – 36-hole public golf course
Mer Bleue Conservation Area – 33 km² sphagnum peat bog. There are some 20 km of walking trails, including a 1.2 km boardwalk, through a remarkable boreal-like ecosystem normally not found this far south. Stunted black spruce, tamarack, together with bog rosemary, blueberry, and cottongrass, are some of the unusual species that have adapted to the acidic waters of the bog. The Mer Bleue bog got its name from the autumn morning fogs that make it appear as a blue sea.
Pine Grove Forest – 12 km² of mixed-use forest for hiking, wildlife reserve, and forestry.
Conroy Pit – a 1.1 km² site on a former sand/gravel pit off Conroy Road near Hunt Club Road, now used primarily as an off-leash dog park and for tobogganing in the winter. It has several kilometres of urban forest trails and wide open areas. The north end of the pit features a large toboggan hill.
Hylands Golf Club – 36-hole public golf course
Macdonald-Cartier International Airport – Ottawa's main airport for domestic, international, and general aviation.
Agriculture Canada Research Farms – 17 km² site for research in animal disease prevention and treatment.
The Log Farm – a restored homestead from 1857, with guided tours.
Bruce Pit – a second former sand/gravel pit off Cedarview Road between Hunt Club Road and Baseline Road. It is now used as an off-leash dog park, and has a cross-country trail system and a toboggan hill.
Lime Kiln – Trail to remains of 19th-century Flood industrial limekiln.
Stony Swamp Conservation Area – 20 km² of provincially significant wetland. It is also the largest forested area within the Greenbelt and is popular for hiking and outdoor recreation. It is also the study area for the Macoun Field Club.
Wesley Clover Parks - an equestrian facility and public campground with 127 serviced sites
The 19th Tee Driving Range – golf driving range and 18 hole mini-putt park.
Connaught National Army Cadet Summer Training Centre – Military and cadet training centre, also used by private shooting associations.
Shirleys Bay – an important wetland on the Ottawa River, home to migratory birds and water fowl. This location is ideally suited for bird watching.
