Watch the parking signs while visiting the Canadian Tulip Festival

Special event, no stopping sign. (CTV News Ottawa)

Residents and tourists planning to tiptoe through the tulips during the Canadian Tulip Festival are being reminded to pay attention to parking signs on streets around Commissions Park.

The city has installed ‘Special Event – No Stopping – Tow Away’ signs on streets near the festival to protect emergency access routes, and Bylaw Services will deploy additional officers to the Little Italy and Dow’s Lake areas to monitor traffic volume.

Parking restrictions will be in place between Carling Avenue, Bronson Avenue, Queen Elizabeth Driveway and Preston Street during the Canadian Tulip Festival.

Last year, Bylaw Services officers issued 1,416 parking tickets to vehicles illegally parked around the Tulip Festival. A total of 1,111 parking tickets were issued around Commissioners Park during the Canadian Tulip Festival in 2024.

The city says the temporary ‘Special Event – No Stopping – Tow Away’ signs are installed around large events or on roadways when an event is taking place to ensure everyone’s safety.

“In the case of the Tulip Festival, temporary curbside regulation changes are implemented in the neighbouring community to protect emergency access for emergency services, such as Ottawa Fire Services and the Ottawa Paramedic Service,” Stuart Edison, manager of traffic operations, said in a statement.

“As a best practice, the City has reviewed event debriefs from each Tulip Festival over the past 10 years to help inform the traffic management plan. These have included comments and feedback from internal partners, as well as emails from impacted residents. This feedback has helped inform each new iteration of the plan and adjust parking regulations as needed.”

Bylaw Services says it will have additional officers in the area of the Tulip Festival to monitor traffic volumes.

“We remind all visitors attending the Tulip Festival to adhere to traffic rules, the temporary parking restrictions, and to pay close attention to signage, as restrictions for parking have been updated,” Jake Gravelle, Bylaw and Regulatory Services chief, said.

“We appreciate the cooperation and support of residents, businesses, and visitors as we work together to help ensure a safe and enjoyable festival for everyone.”

Travel options

Parking is available at Carleton University, the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, at a lot at 855 Champagne Avenue and the parking lot at 371 Beech Street.

If you are travelling to the Tulip Festival at Commissioners Park, O-Train Line 2 stops at Dow’s Lake Station, which is a short walk to the festival site.

Trains run every 12 minutes.

OC Transpo buses also stop near Commissioners Park.

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