Lindenlea

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For the poem "Linden Lea" see William Barnes

Lindenlea is possibly one of the smallest neighbourhoods in Ottawa, Canada. It is bounded by Maple Lane to the north, Acacia Ave. to the east, Beechwood Ave. to the south and Springfield Rd to the west. (early residents would certainly have said Putman Ave.) Its neighbouring communities are Rockcliffe Park (north and east), Vanier (south) and New Edinburgh (west).

Lindenlea has a children's park, tennis courts, a bowling green and a community centre. The community Centre was, historically, the communal garage -- there were so few cars that the land was purchased by three local residents and they all parked their cars there. Later, the land was donated to the City -- or perhaps just forgotten about ... the old bowling green adjacent to the tennis court was similarly purchased communally by early residents. It is the earliest planned community in Ottawa, dating back to the end of the First World War. The community was planned by urban planning pioneer Thomas Adams and is an example of Adams' garden suburb style. Most of the homes have large back yards, a feature of this planning style. The community is divided into upper Lindenlea, north of Rideau Terrace, and lower Lindenlea. Only upper Lindenlea was planned by Adams. Lower Lindenlea was developed later but followed many of the garden suburb principles, including the large back yards.

It was hardly levittown... the early community was fairly homogenous, but at Putman Avenue a real french/English divide kept things interesting and protestant/catholic cleavages were still meaningful. Life for many was leisurely -- boating clubs on the Ottawa River were nearby and it was an easy walk to mackay lake to swim. Where the Champlain Towers -- the first apartment building in the area -- stands now on Rideau terrace was an incredible acreage of flowers. Early residents included Dr.Kenney, a noted historian and a key figure in the National Archives, his wife, Dympna Byrne, a noted artist and E.B. Bunel, a civil cervant and hobby farmer who was also noted as an outstanding athlete and sportsman. Both the kenney and Bunel homes on Rideau terrace were designed before Adams. Early spring and winter carnivals attracted as many as 70 or 80 costumed children and the skating rink (now not much to speak of) was decorated with lights all winter for most of the 1950s.

Local spots that seem to be falling out of memory include Hunter's Hill (behind the community centre) where generations of children have enjoyed making forts, sledding and the most dangerous and delicious bicycle riding down the old luge run.

Lindenlea is notable for its picturesque architecture, mature trees, and plentiful green space. The community association produces a periodic newsletter called The Lindenleader and residents of Lindenlea also receive The New Edinburgh News produced by the community association of neighbouring New Edinburgh.

The population as of the Canada 2006 Census was 1,832.