NEPEAN NEIGHBOURHOODS
Parkwood Hills, Borden Farm and Fisher Glen
Last updated: September 2026
Parkwood Hills, Ottawa is an east Nepean neighbourhood built mainly by Minto between 1959 and 1972, centred on Meadowlands Drive between Merivale Road and Fisher Avenue. With neighbouring Borden Farm, Stewart Farm and Fisher Glen, it forms a community of about 11,100 people (2021 Census) with a mix of detached homes, townhouses and apartment towers, including one of the earliest high-rise condominiums in Canada.
Just to the north, City View, Skyline and Fisher Heights add older and infill homes near Algonquin College. This guide covers the history, housing, parks, schools and what to know when buying or selling in this part of Nepean.
The History of Parkwood Hills
Parkwood Hills was planned in 1959 by architect John Russell, who drew on Californian community layouts and house designs. Most construction took place between 1959 and 1972, largely by Minto, which still owns many of the neighbourhood’s rental buildings. At least part of the land was farmland: the old Mulvagh farmhouse at Meadowlands and Chesterton later became part of Parkwood Presbyterian Church.
Horizon House
In 1967, Minto built Horizon House on Meadowlands Drive at Chesterton, often cited as the first high-rise condominium development in Canada. It’s a reminder that condo living in Ontario started here, and today the Meadowlands corridor still has a concentration of apartment and condo towers alongside single-family streets.
Community associations
The General Burns Community Association represents Parkwood Hills, Stewart Farm, Borden Farm, Fisher Glen, CitiPlace and part of Carleton Heights, and runs programs from the General Burns Community Centre, a 1950s log cabin in General Burns Park. North of Meadowlands, the Fisher Heights and Area Community Association covers the neighbourhoods toward Baseline Road.
Location and ward
The area is in Knoxdale-Merivale Ward in the former City of Nepean. Merivale Road forms the western edge and Fisher Avenue the eastern edge, with parts extending north toward Baseline Road.
City View, Skyline and Fisher Heights
North of Meadowlands, three older neighbourhoods share a single MLS® code with part of Parkwood Hills.
City View
City View, also known as St. Claire Gardens, was a police village from 1954 to 1974, and most of its homes were built from the 1930s to the 1960s on a grid of streets, which is unusual in Nepean. Since the early 2000s, many older houses have been replaced with infill, and that trend continues. The neighbourhood sits next to Algonquin College and is home to the Nepean Museum on Rowley Avenue. Parks include St. Nicholas, Starwood, City View and Doug Frobel parks, and the City View Curling Club is across Merivale on Capilano Drive.
Skyline and Fisher Heights
Skyline and Fisher Heights, with about 6,500 people combined (2021 Census), are established neighbourhoods of mostly 1950s and 1960s homes between Merivale Road, Fisher Avenue and Baseline Road, with good access to the Merivale shops and the college.
What infill means for buyers
In City View especially, you’ll find new semi-detached and single infill homes next to original bungalows. For buyers, that means choice between a new build and an older house on a lot with redevelopment potential. For owners, lot value can matter as much as the house. Check the City’s new zoning by-law for what can be built on a given lot.
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Parkwood Hills Homes: What You’ll Find
Detached homes
Many Parkwood Hills detached homes are Minto bungalows, split-levels and two-storeys from the 1960s, many around 1,200 square feet, which was typical of Ottawa’s 1950s and 1960s suburbs. They sit on mature, tree-lined lots and have often been extended or updated over the decades.
Townhouses
Townhouse rows along and near Meadowlands Drive offer a lower entry price. Some are freehold, some are condominiums and some are rentals. For condo townhomes, review the status certificate and reserve fund; the Condominium Authority of Ontario explains your rights.
Apartment and condo towers
The Meadowlands corridor has a number of 1960s and 1970s towers, some condominium and some rental. Older condo buildings often have larger units than new construction, but check the building’s age-related repairs, reserve fund and fee history carefully. See our guide to Nepean condos and townhomes.
What to check
On 1960s homes, ask about the electrical panel and wiring, plumbing, the water service line (City of Ottawa lead pipe information), insulation, windows, roof and foundation. Our guide to buying a 1960s–1980s home in Nepean goes through each.
Price context
Prices vary widely between condo apartments, townhouses, original bungalows and new infill. The Ottawa Real Estate Board publishes board-wide figures only, so use recent comparable sales for a specific home. See current Nepean homes for sale.
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Parks, Recreation and Community Life
General Burns Park
General Burns Park, named after General E. L. M. Burns, is the neighbourhood’s centre. It has an outdoor public swimming pool, four tennis courts, a baseball field, a soccer field and a children’s play area, plus an outdoor rink and children’s ice pad from mid-December. The log-cabin community centre hosts classes, Scouts and Pathfinders groups and softball leagues.
Other green space
Raoul Wallenberg Park and several smaller parks are spread through the neighbourhood, and the Nepean Allotment Gardens on Viewmount Drive have about 200 plots for residents who want to grow their own food. Mature trees throughout make the area popular with backyard birdwatchers.
Shopping
Meadowlands Mall and the broader Merivale Road retail strip cover groceries and everyday needs, and Carlingwood and Billings Bridge shopping centres are a short drive away.
Recreation nearby
The City of Ottawa runs arenas and pools nearby, and Hog’s Back Park, Mooney’s Bay and the Rideau Canal pathways are about ten minutes east.
Schools and Commuting
Schools
Parkwood Hills Public School closed in 2010, and Century Public School in 2017, so elementary students have been redirected to schools such as Sir Winston Churchill Public School. Merivale High School serves secondary grades for the OCDSB. The Ottawa Catholic School Board has served the area through St. Rita and Frank Ryan schools, and French-language students can attend CEPEO schools such as Omer-Deslauriers. Confirm catchments for any address; our Nepean schools guide explains how.
Commuting
Parkwood Hills is one of the closest parts of Nepean to downtown, typically 10 to 15 minutes by car outside rush hour via Merivale, Fisher or Prince of Wales. Buses run along Meadowlands Drive, and Baseline Station, on the O-Train extension to Algonquin College, is a short trip north; check OC Transpo for current routes. Carleton University and the Experimental Farm are nearby, and the Colonnade Road business park and Hunt Club employers are a few minutes south. See our guide to commuting from Nepean.
Buying in an Older Condo Tower on Meadowlands
The Meadowlands corridor has some of the oldest condominium buildings in Canada, and they can be excellent value, but they need extra homework.
Why buyers like them
Older towers often have larger units, generous balconies, more storage and mature grounds, at prices per square foot below new construction. Many residents are long-term owners, which can mean a stable community.
What to check
- The reserve fund study: look for major work coming in the next ten years, such as balcony and façade repairs, window replacement, elevator modernization, roof replacement and parking garage membranes.
- Fee history: steady increases can be healthy; sudden jumps or a very low fee can signal underfunding.
- Special assessments: past and planned.
- Heating and cooling: some older buildings have shared heating systems with limited individual control and no central air in units.
- Insurance: check the building’s insurance deductible, as owners may be responsible for part of it after a claim.
Financing
Some lenders have specific requirements for older condo buildings. Get your pre-approval with the specific building in mind.
Our guides
See our guides to buying a condo in Ottawa and Nepean condos and townhomes.
Buying or Selling in Parkwood Hills
Who it suits
- Buyers who want a central location close to downtown, Carleton University and Algonquin College without paying inner-urban prices.
- First-time buyers looking at condo apartments and townhouses.
- Families who want a detached home near a park with a pool and tennis courts.
- Builders and investors interested in infill lots in City View and nearby.
Buyer tips
On older condo towers, check the reserve fund and recent special assessments. On detached homes, look at the lot and the condition of systems, not just the finishes. Budget for Ontario’s land transfer tax and closing costs.
Seller tips
Presenting a 1960s home well, with documented updates, helps it stand out against new infill nearby. If your lot has redevelopment potential, pricing should reflect that. Find out what your home is worth or read about Jason’s approach on the Nepean REALTOR® page.
Nearby neighbourhoods
Also consider Tanglewood and Manordale and Pineglen, Country Place and Merivale Gardens, or start with our Nepean guide.
How Jason Polonski Helps Parkwood Hills 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 Parkwood Hills and City View, where buyers compare 1960s bungalows, older condo towers and new infill, he helps you weigh the condition of the building, the finances of the condo, and the long-term value of the lot.
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
Parkwood Hills is in the former City of Nepean, centred on Meadowlands Drive between Merivale Road and Fisher Avenue, in Knoxdale-Merivale Ward.
Parkwood Hills was planned in 1959 by architect John Russell and built mainly by Minto between 1959 and 1972.
Horizon House on Meadowlands Drive in Parkwood Hills, built by Minto in 1967, is often cited as the first high-rise condominium development in Canada.
General Burns Park is the main park in Parkwood Hills, with an outdoor pool, four tennis courts, baseball and soccer fields, a winter rink and a log-cabin community centre run by the General Burns Community Association.
Nearby neighbourhoods include Borden Farm, Stewart Farm, Fisher Glen, City View, Skyline, Fisher Heights, Carleton Heights and Tanglewood.
Parkwood Hills is typically 10 to 15 minutes by car from downtown Ottawa outside rush hour, making it one of the closest Nepean neighbourhoods to the core.
