You might not know this, but there is a giant farm smack dab in the middle of the City of Ottawa. And our new place is right across the street, so it’s become Gren’s new stomping grounds on his morning walk.
This is the Central Experimental Farm, a government-run combination research facility, recreational area, and national historic site. Ostensibly, it belongs to the Canadian department of Agriculture and Agri-Food.
There used to be an Experimental Farm in every province in Canada at one point; due to budget cuts and demands on space, there are only a few left. The flashy heritage/tourist stuff, and the baby cows and things are all on the opposite side of the farm, and it’s a little bit of a long walk for Gren’s short legs, but he loves wandering between the different fields.
He also loves rolling in all sorts of objectionable materials on the verges. I suspect it’s mostly goose poop.
Dogs must be leashed in this place (they don’t want them mucking about with their farming experiments) but Gren has adapted quickly to his Flexi lead.
I used to walk through the other side of the Farm every day to get to Carleton University. You can see Dunton Tower, part of the school campus, in the distance:
Looking back the way we came, you can see the gray Ag buildings across the street from the farm.
The day I walked through and took these shots they were just getting ready to seed some of the fields on this side, so there were people and equipment everywhere. I’m excited to watch it change as planting season begins!
Nice photos! Gren does look very happy! I’m glad you have a great new place to walk together.
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He seems pretty happy. Mostly about rolling in goose poop though! 🙂
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What a neat walking spot! Seeing Tim Horton’s in the background has me craving donuts…living in NC has deprived me of TH lovin.
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Oh yeah I guess Wendy’s pulled the Tim’s out of the US last year. I feel your pain. The one in the picture is about two blocks from our house so I’m a wee bit spoiled.
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Such a cute dog!!! 🙂
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Thanks, he’s my favourite! 🙂
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Morning Ally!
I know the area well. I attended a high school near by and went past the experimental farm daily for years. In one of those years (73? or 74?) they erected tall double fencing and patrolled the perimeter with uniformed officers…..they were experimenting…..with a very tall crop of canabis.
Love to read of your adventures – Deb
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Hahah, that’s funny you should mention that! Mrs. Nice worked for Ag around that time and she remembers the marijuana farm as well. Which high school did you go to?
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St.Pius X (thanks for asking) I was one of the first wave of female students at what had previously been “boys only” territory. – Deb
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Crazy! I went to Lisgar myself.
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