Blossom Park

Over the next month, CBC Ottawa's RachelleElsiufiwill immerse herself in the south Ottawa community of Blossom Park, meeting its residents, visiting its business and telling their stories.

It's the first in our Communities in Focus series, where we amplify the stories we discover in anOttawa neighbourhood.

Blossom Park has experienced considerable growth over the past few yearsas a popular settling area for newer Canadians. But that's not really new.

Theneighbourhood had a mini boom in the 1970s when vacant lots were purchased by newly established Italian immigrants eager to leave cramped downtown living arrangements and buildtheir own dream homes.

The trend continued through the '80s and '90swith additional infill development.Today, census data shows the 14,000 or so people living there area mix of younger families and empty nesters of various cultural and religious backgrounds.

• Schools:
  • Blossom Park Public School, Sawmill Creek Public School, St. Bernard Catholic School, St. Bernadette French Catholic School
• Fun Facts:
  • Blossom Park is the childhood home of former World Champion ski jumper Horst Bulau, Olympic gold medalist Glenroy Gilbert,Grammy winner Alanis Morissetteand Canadian tennis star Gabriela Dabrowski

On the commercial side, Blossom Park is home to several major car dealerships,shawarma shops and airport hotels. It's also close to big employersRideau Carleton Casino andCanadian Forces Station Leitrim,as well as the EY Centre and the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport.

Its relatively central location is close to the O-Train Trillium Line'sstation at South Keysand a quick drive downtown via Bank Street or the Airport Parkway. You might not know theConroy Pit off leash dog-park (and toboggan hill) is located in Blossom Park.

What else do you want other residents of the city to know about Blossom Park?

We want you to share your Blossom Park experiences with us by filling out this questionnaire: