Ottawa parks gear up for spring – with return of free sports equipment lockers

As warmer weather returns, Ottawa’s parks are getting ready for another season of play, with a little extra help. This spring, free sports equipment lockers are set to reopen in select City of Ottawa parks, giving residents easy access to borrow balls and gear just steps from their favourite courts and fields.

After a winter shutdown, preparations are now underway to reopen the lockers for spring and summer. Crews are restocking equipment, reinstalling batteries and testing systems at all locations, with reopening expected on May 15, weather permitting.

The lockers are part of an ongoing pilot project launched last fall by the City of Ottawa in partnership with Equip Sport and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. This initiative aims to lower barriers to play and invites everyone to get back into the game. 

Across select City parks, 50 lockers offer free access to borrow basketballs, soccer balls, volleyballs and at some locations, fitness packs. Designed to be inclusive and easy to use, the self-serve lockers can be unlocked through the free Equip Sport mobile app, available on the Google Play or Apple App stores. Users borrow equipment for free, enjoy their game and return it to the locker when finished.

With this partnership, Ottawa became only the second city in Canada to pilot the innovative locker system. Since its founding, Equip Sport has enabled more than one million free play sessions worldwide. Funding for the initiative comes from Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, which helps millions of children and families access sport and recreation by removing financial and systemic barriers.

Ottawa residents can look forward to another season of easy, free access to play, one locker at a time. Get outside, be active and have fun.