Last updated: September 2026
Leslie Park, Ottawa and neighbouring Briargreen are two established Nepean neighbourhoods on either side of Greenbank Road, just south of Baseline Road and west of Centrepointe. Both were built mainly in the 1960s and 1970s, both sit in College Ward, and together they’re home to about 5,100 people (2021 Census) living among some of the oldest trees in the west end.
They offer a quieter alternative to Centrepointe with a similar central location: a few minutes from Algonquin College, the Queensway Carleton Hospital, Baseline Station and Highway 417. This guide covers the history, the housing, schools and what to know when buying.
About Leslie Park
Leslie Park is bounded by Baseline Road to the north, Greenbank Road to the east and the rail line to the south. The community association uses the fence west of Costello Avenue as its western boundary, though some maps extend it to Graham Creek.
Named after a pioneer family
The neighbourhood takes its name from the Leslie family, who came to Ottawa from Ireland in 1819 and settled part of what is now Leslie Park in 1886. Their farm, near today’s Monterey Drive and Guthrie Avenue, was sold to developers in the early 1960s.
Built in stages
- 1963 to the 1970s: the first homes, including stone and brick English-style townhouses on Monterey Drive.
- 1970s: more townhouses on Costello Avenue and a 17-unit condominium at 50 Greenbank Road.
- 1980s: homes on Sandcastle Drive and Valley Stream Drive, along with two high-rise condominiums.
- Early 2000s: additional townhouses west of Guthrie Avenue between Monterey Drive and Baseline Road.
Old trees and green space
Leslie Park is among the Ottawa neighbourhoods with trees more than a century old. It has two parks, Leslie Park and Brucelands Park, and the Greenbelt and Bruce Pit trails are a few minutes south.
About Briargreen
Briargreen is bordered by Pinecrest Cemetery to the north, Centrepointe to the east, Craig Henry to the south and Greenbank Road to the west. It was built in the late 1960s and early 1970s, at the same time as Leslie Park and Arlington Woods.
A neighbourhood carved from forest
The area was originally forested, and many streets are still lined with banks of mature trees. Ashgrove Crescent and Meadowbank Drive are the main roads, and Briargreen Public School sits at the heart of the community, with a city park immediately to its west.
Forest Ridge
At the north end, Rockway Crescent is home to Forest Ridge, a community with a high-rise apartment building, two low-rise buildings and garden homes, which adds some lower-cost and lower-maintenance options to the mostly detached neighbourhood.
Size
Briargreen is small, with about 2,100 residents and roughly 830 homes as of recent census counts, which is part of why listings here don’t come up often.
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Homes for Sale in Briargreen and Leslie Park
Detached homes
Briargreen is mostly detached 1960s and 1970s homes: bungalows, split-levels and two-storeys on tree-lined lots. Leslie Park has detached homes too, but a larger share of townhouses and condos.
Townhouses
Leslie Park’s Monterey Drive townhouses, with their English-style stone and brick fronts, are among the more distinctive townhouses in Nepean. Costello Avenue and the early-2000s rows west of Guthrie add more choice. Check whether a townhouse is freehold or part of a condominium corporation.
Condos
The high-rise condominiums on Sandcastle and Valley Stream drives and the smaller condo at 50 Greenbank give downsizers and first-time buyers a way into the neighbourhood. For older condo buildings, review the reserve fund, recent special assessments and planned repairs; the Condominium Authority of Ontario explains your right to records. See our guide to Nepean condos and townhomes.
What to check
On 1960s and 1970s homes, ask about the electrical panel and wiring (including aluminum branch wiring in some homes from this era; see the Electrical Safety Authority), plumbing, insulation, windows, roofs and foundations. Large trees add value but can affect sewer lines and roofs, so ask about both. Our guide to buying a 1960s–1980s home in Nepean goes deeper.
Price context
Prices range from condo apartments to detached family homes. The Ottawa Real Estate Board publishes board-wide figures only, so use recent comparable sales. See current Nepean homes for sale.
A stable, long-established community
Both neighbourhoods have many long-term owners, active community associations and a strong sense of neighbourliness. Leslie Park residents were recognized in Ottawa media during the pandemic for how they supported one another, a small example of the kind of community many buyers are looking for.
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Schools
Leslie Park
Leslie Park has Mamawi Public School (OCDSB), in the former Leslie Park Public School building, and St. John the Apostle Catholic School (OCSB).
Briargreen
Briargreen Public School is in the centre of the neighbourhood. Sir Robert Borden High School, on Greenbank Road, has served both neighbourhoods for grades 7 to 12.
French-language schools
French-language education is available through CEPEO and CECCE, including Collège catholique Franco-Ouest for secondary.
Confirm before you buy
Catchments can change and can differ across Greenbank Road, so confirm for the exact address. Our Nepean schools guide explains how.
Location, Transit and Amenities
Health care and college
The Queensway Carleton Hospital is a few minutes west on Baseline, and Algonquin College is a few minutes east. Both are major employers, and both make the area practical for downsizers and students’ families.
Transit
Baseline Station, on the O-Train extension to Algonquin College, is a short bus ride east, and buses run along Baseline and Greenbank. Check OC Transpo for routes and the rail opening timeline.
Driving
Greenbank Road connects north to Highway 417 at Pinecrest and south to Hunt Club and Barrhaven. Downtown is typically 15 to 20 minutes outside rush hour; Kanata about 15 minutes. See our guide to commuting from Nepean.
Shopping and recreation
College Square, the Centrepointe library, the Meridian Centrepointe Theatre and Bayshore Shopping Centre are all close. Greenbelt trails at the Bruce Pit are about five minutes south.
A quieter alternative to Centrepointe
Buyers often find Briargreen and Leslie Park while looking at Centrepointe. They share much of the same location, schools and amenities, but with less through-traffic, older and more established streets, and generally fewer new towers nearby. If you want Centrepointe’s convenience without its busier northern edge, both are worth a close look. Because inventory is limited, it’s worth watching both neighbourhoods at the same time.
Mature Trees: A Big Benefit, and a Responsibility
Leslie Park and Briargreen’s mature canopy is one of their biggest selling points. It also comes with responsibilities that buyers should understand.
The benefits
Large trees provide shade that lowers summer cooling costs, privacy, habitat for birds and a sense of an established neighbourhood that newer suburbs can’t match. Many buyers are willing to pay more for a tree-lined street.
What to check when buying
- Tree health: dead limbs, large cracks, fungus at the base or leaning trees near the house are worth an arborist’s opinion.
- Roots and pipes: older clay or cast iron sewer laterals are vulnerable to root intrusion. A sewer camera inspection before you firm up is inexpensive insurance.
- Roofs and eavestroughs: overhanging branches can shorten roof life and clog gutters.
- Foundations: large trees very close to foundations on clay soils can contribute to settlement in dry summers.
Rules on removing trees
The City of Ottawa regulates the removal of larger trees on private property in urban areas, and trees on City land, such as boulevards, belong to the City. If you plan to remove or significantly prune a large tree, check the City’s tree protection rules first, as a permit may be required.
Emerald ash borer
Many Ottawa neighbourhoods lost ash trees to the emerald ash borer. If a property has ash trees, ask whether they’ve been treated or removed.
Buying or Selling in Briargreen and Leslie Park
Who these neighbourhoods suit
- Families who want a detached home near Briargreen Public School and Sir Robert Borden.
- Downsizers who want a condo or townhouse near the hospital, transit and shopping. See downsizing in Nepean.
- First-time buyers looking for a townhouse in a central, established area.
- Tree lovers who value mature canopy over newer construction.
Buyer tips
Inventory is limited, so be pre-approved and ready. Compare condo fees and reserve funds carefully between buildings. Budget for Ontario’s land transfer tax and closing costs.
Seller tips
Buyers here often compare against Centrepointe, so presentation and a well-supported price matter. Find out what your home is worth or see Jason’s approach on the Nepean REALTOR® page.
Nearby neighbourhoods
Also consider Centrepointe, Qualicum and Graham Park and Arlington Woods, or start with our Nepean guide.
How Jason Polonski Helps Briargreen and Leslie Park Buyers and Sellers
Jason Polonski is a REALTOR® with Right at Home Realty with more than 15 years of experience in Ottawa’s west end, a Bachelor of Commerce with a double major in Marketing and Finance from Concordia University, and a construction and electrical trades background. In neighbourhoods like Briargreen and Leslie Park, where homes are 40 to 60 years old and condo buildings are ageing, he helps buyers read both the house and the building’s finances before they commit.
As a move coordinator, he lines up your sale and purchase so you don’t carry two homes, and offers a 1% Listing Commission, charged on the final sold price. His recognition includes the Chairman’s Club (2025, 2021) and Best in Ottawa Top REALTOR® seven years running. Learn more about Jason or read his reviews on Google.
Frequently Asked Questions
Leslie Park is in the former City of Nepean, bounded by Baseline Road to the north, Greenbank Road to the east and the rail line to the south. It’s in College Ward.
Briargreen is in the former City of Nepean, bordered by Pinecrest Cemetery to the north, Centrepointe to the east, Craig Henry to the south and Greenbank Road to the west.
Both were built mainly from the 1960s into the 1970s. Leslie Park added homes and condos in the 1980s and townhouses in the early 2000s.
It’s named after the Leslie family, who came to Ottawa from Ireland in 1819 and farmed part of the area until selling to developers in the early 1960s.
Leslie Park has Mamawi Public School and St. John the Apostle Catholic School. Briargreen has Briargreen Public School. Sir Robert Borden High School has served both. Confirm catchments for a specific address.
Yes. Leslie Park has two high-rise condominiums on Sandcastle and Valley Stream drives, a small condo at 50 Greenbank Road, and several townhouse developments.
