Part of Ottawa’s eastern suburbs, Beacon Hill is located to the North East of Downtown, and is considered a suburb under the greater Orleans and Gloucester community designations. Amicably referred to as “the Beaks” or “ the Hill” it drew its name from a lighthouse in the Ottawa River. It was thought that the light could be seen from the top of the hill at Naskapi Dr. Although the lighthouse is no longer, the foundation remains visible from the bike paths meandering along the river.

Beacon Hill is primarily residential, but includes some notable professional and industrial establishments, mainly, the Robert O Pickard water treatment plant, and the National Research Council of Canada campus. A well established bilingual community, there is a high concentration of schools in Beacon Hill, including Le Phare Elementary, Robert Hopkins Elementary, Henry Munro Middle School, Colonel By Secondary School, Ecole elementaire publique La Verendrye, Ecole elementaire publique Seraphin –Marion, and finally, Thomas D’Archy McGee Catholic School.

Beacon Hill is bordered by the Ottawa greenbelt, providing a surfeit of green space. Ruisseau Green’s Creek ravine area, as well as residential parks and woodlands are spread through gently rolling hills and more dramatic escarpments. Three main toboggan Hills are present; Green’s Creek, Ski Hill Park, and Loyola Park all provide plenty of winter recreation space and lush play areas in summer months.

Beacon Hill extends to Hwy 417 for easy access to Ottawa’s core, as well, O-Train stations, park ‘n Ride, and well serviced bus routes service the Beacon Hill neighbourhood.