Parkdale Public Market — Attraction in Ottawa

The vendors are super friendly and have a great selection of products.

Weekends are super busy so consider that before going. I'm sure all the ottawa markets are right now. I live in the area and go there regularly. I went yesterday (sun may 16) and today (mon may 17) around late morning/ early afternoon. Sunday was pure chaos (as described in this review) but today wasn't as bad (a bit busy but with less issues as described below).

The main issue lies with the logistics. Due to the layout of the space the market is long and skinny including the parking lot.

Because the parking lot is open it is way too tight for people to social distance and I saw way too many close calls with vehicles nearly hitting people. This also included a can coming inches away from hitting a little 5 yo girl (it was scary).

Because of the limited space people had to walk into the driving path and squish together at the line ups. It's impossible to social distance and despite there being markers on the ground people dont listen.

I was cut in line several times while standing in the designated areas and waiting for staff to signal me over. I guess that's what I get for trying to be responsible and courteous for others.

Customers were rude and aggressive and absolutely careless with COVID wise behaviours, putting other patrons at risk. This also puts vendors at risk since no one is waiting patiently and just invading their space.

This review is in no way against the vendors, it's with the City of Ottawa and patrons who are irresponsible with the regulations. They need to close off the parking lot to allow for safer pedestrian traffic. That way an actual line up can take place by stretching it vertically though to the park (which people were also playing in--i thought they were closed due to the SAHO?).

There is street parking and unused lots on weekends so (CoO and bylaw) allow weekend parking in these areas without penalty to encourage safety and smoother traffic flow.

And pedestrians need to follow the regulations in order to keep everyone safe. I get it, its summer and everyone is frantic for wanting plants for gardening but this careless behaviour is contributing to the wider issue. Just stay distanced from others, double check before cutting in for others waiting in line, and use the designated spaces for lining up and wait for staff to instruct you.

Hopefully these issues will be assessed and fixed because I love supporting local and going to the markets. But unfortunately currently I dont feel safe going.

I hope the vendors stay safe and are being treated respectfully as they deserve it for all their hard work and putting themselves at risk (serving the public so everyone can have products...

Inspect your tomato purchase before you pay! I was looking forward to some tasty field tomatoes. Due to Covid 19 I had to rely on an employee to choose the tomatoes for me. The employee picked 8 tomatoes and put them in a plastic bag. I paid and walked away from the produce stand. I decided to check my bag of tomatoes before putting it in my back pack. I discovered about half of the tomatoes were mushy, some even had white mouldy spots on them. I returned to the produce stand. The employee who had bagged the tomatoes apologized and took back the mushy, mouldy tomatoes and directed me to take 4 tomatoes from a different pile of tomatoes. This pile of tomatoes was accessible to customers. As I was picking 4 good looking tomatoes another employee angrily told me I was not supposed to be taking tomatoes from this pile. This employee directed the other one to get me some more tomatoes from the group that I had been given before. Back at home, I chose a fairly firm tomato and upon slicing it found it to be mealy. This was not farm...

Hot. Very hot! 28°C by 10:30 in the morning and no breeze.

Seems smaller than years before, less produce tables and more art, crafts and food stands than before. I know there is inflation going on but prices there really seem to be "market" prices;. that is, the produce is being sold at a price that reflects the relatively affluent neighbourhood ability to pay. For example, fresh strawberries are nearly double the price you'd pay for at a grocery store. Corn seemed expensive too, $9/dozen or $5/half dozen. Better be good.

Difficult to say how much produce is local and how much is trucked in from other provinces or states nor is it easy to determine who is a producer versus a reseller.

Wish I could have had the time to go to the nearby Carleton pub and take advantage of their...