Boundaries
Cumberland: The Ottawa River in the north, Innes Road in the south, Ted Kelly Lane and Cox Country Road in the west, Kinsella Drive to Sarsfield Road in the east
Navan: Navan Road and Inge Crescent in the north, Prescott-Russell Trail Link in the south, Tenth Line Road in the west, Frank Kenny Road in the east.
Vars: Forced Road in the North, Hwy. 417 in the south, Frank Kenny Road in the west, Dunning Road in the east
History
The three main villages were all established in the 19th century. Cumberland (founded 1800) was originally a separate township, named for the English Duke of Cumberland. A settlement began to form in what is now Vars in the 1830s; it was originally called Bearbrook Station but was renamed Vars in 1886. Navan (founded 1861) was named for an Irish town. The area remained largely rural until the late 20th century. Today, its villages are popular bedroom communities for people commuting into urban Ottawa.
Claim to fame
The Navan Fair dates back to 1946 and usually offers everything from stunt dog shows and a midway to concerts and a demolition derby. In addition, there are agricultural contests, a parade, tractor pulls and more. The event draws so many people from across the region that free shuttle buses transport fairgoers from park-and-ride lots in Orleans.
Cumberland–Navan–Vars neighbourhoods
The villages of Cumberland, Navan and Vars are the main population centres, with about 2,000 people in Cumberland, 1,000 in Navan and about 1,500 in Vars. Cumberland and Navan are primarily English-speaking. A number of smaller communities, such as Sarsfield, have a high francophone population.
Who’s building where
No major projects.
In the area
Popular attractions near Cumberland–Navan–Vars include the Calypso Theme Waterpark in Limoges, the Mer Bleue Bog (a popular hiking area in the NCC Greenbelt) and GreyHawk Golf Club in Carlsbad Springs.
Schools
All four major school boards serve Cumberland–Navan–Vars.
- English public: Ottawa Carleton District School Board school locator
- English Catholic: Ottawa Catholic School Board school locator
- French public: Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario school locator
- French Catholic: Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est school locator
Businesses
While small, the three communities are home to a range of businesses, including:
- Black Walnut Bakery
- J.T. Bradley’s General Store
- Bearbrook Game Meats
- Proulx Sugar Bush & Berry Farm
- Commando Paintball Action Centre
- Little Ray’s Nature Centre
- Da Artisti Studio & Gallery
- Vignoble Clos du Vully
- Domaine Perrault Winery
- Maplewood Equestrian Centre
Navan and Cumberland are not far from Orleans and Blackburn Hamlet, which offer a wider range of shopping options.
Amenities
Cumberland–Navan–Vars has a variety of recreational and cultural facilities, including:
- Cumberland Heritage Village Museum
- Cumberland Curling Club
- Navan Curling Club
- Cumberland Farmers’ Market
- Bearbrook Golf Club
- Navan Memorial Centre and Arena
- Prescott-Russell Trail
- Macskimming Outdoor Education Centre
- Humanics Sanctuary and Sculpture Park
- Camelot Golf & Country Club
- R.J. Kennedy Arena
- Bearbrook Community Centre
Services
Cumberland–Navan–Vars has a number of service providers, including churches, service stations, veterinarians and medical offices. There are also several community associations, including:
Cumberland Community Association
Navan Community Association
Vars Community Association
The communities are also home to service clubs, including the Cumberland Lions Club and the Navan Lions Club.
Transit options
OC Transpo operates several buses to and from Cumberland, Navan, Vars and Sarsfield, largely to serve commuters. The Stage 2 expansion of the light rapid transit (LRT) system’s Confederation Line East is due to reach Trim Road in nearby Orleans in 2024.
Highway 174 is the main route connecting the northern part of this region to Ottawa and Montreal. The multi-lane Highway 417 serves the same function for residents in the southern part of the region. Navan Road connects Navan to Orleans and Blackburn Hamlet.
Traversiers Bourbonnais operates a year-round ferry (weather permitting) across the Ottawa River between Cumberland and Masson, Quebec.