The tulips commemorate the Dutch Royal Family's safe haven in Ottawa during World War II.
Princess Juliana of the Netherlands originally sent 100,000 tulip bulbs to Ottawa in 1945 as a gesture of gratitude.
The park contains the largest collection of tulips in the capital region.
The park was named after the Ottawa Improvement Commission, the early predecessor to the National Capital Commission.
The tulip beds are replanted every autumn with new bulbs to ensure vibrant spring displays.
Commissioners Park serves as the primary hub for the Canadian Tulip Festival, which takes place every May. The park features over 300,000 tulips across 30 distinct beds, showcasing a historic gift from the Dutch royal family. It is situated along the shores of Dow's Lake, a section of the Rideau Canal waterway. The landscape design emphasizes formal garden aesthetics with a concentration on seasonal bulb displays. Beyond the festival, the park provides expansive grassy areas and mature trees along the water's edge. It functions as a managed green space under the stewardship of the National Capital Commission. The site is a key component of the Rideau Canal National Historic Site of Canada.
The shoreline path looking across the tulip beds toward the Dow's Lake pavilion.
Visit on a weekday morning to avoid the peak crowds of the mid-May festival.
Walk the full perimeter of Dow's Lake to see the gardens from multiple vantage points.
Bring a hat and sunscreen as the tulip beds offer little natural shade.
Attempting to visit during the height of the May festival on a weekend without anticipating heavy pedestrian traffic.
The tulip display is seasonal, peaking in May; the park itself is open year-round.
Stay on designated paths and do not step into tulip beds to protect the bulbs.
