Parc Nature de la Visitation

Il s’agit d’un parc linéaire qui suit la rivière des Prairies. C’est également le paradis des coureurs qui y trouvent des sentiers bien aménagés pour courir. L’endroit est très grand et divisé en plusieurs sections; tout le monde peut y trouver son compte: observateur d’oiseaux, marcheurs, cyclistes, famille qui viennent piqué-​niquer, voler un cerf-​volant ou juste voir la chute du barrage hydro-​électrique. L’endroit est également un centre d’interprétation historique avec de vieux bâtiments (dont un moulin) et un petit musée.

Ile de la visitation is a great nature getaway when you want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.
There are many great spots for a picnic, whether it be with friends, family or that special someone. The park provides many picnic tables but feel free to bring a cozy blanket! There’s plenty of room to have a frisbee match or kick around a soccer ball. There’s a wonderful bike path that goes through the park, so if you catch a sunny day, ditch the car and take your bike to this wonderful park!
Depending the time of year, you will have the honour of seeing Canadian geese! They flock to the park around early spring. I visit every March to spend time with them. They are lovely creatures! You will of course see male and female mallard ducks, seagulls and other varieties of birds. If you’re a bird lover, bring those binoculars and keep your eyes peeled!
What makes this park spectacular, for me at least, is the fact that it’s close to the water. There are certain parts where you could go fishing, others you can’t. However, if fishing isn’t your thing, it’s nice to hangout near the water and watch the birds scout for fish.
You’ll enjoy squirrels and chipmunks scattering for nuts and seeds, especially during the autumn season. If you’re lucky, you might even see a fox!

We are so lucky to live walking distance from this park (in fact, it was part of the reason we chose to live in Ahuntsic).
In summer and fall, there are lovely walking/​running/​biking trails beside a beautiful river. Near sunset, look out for the great blue herons and the night herons (bihoreaux) near the old moulin. It’s also wonderful to head up near the dam and find a bench to watch the sun set over the river. There are lots of picnic tables and grassy spots to spread your picnic blanket.
In winter there are groomed trails for cross-​country skiing and snowshoeing trails. Check out the events that happen at the maison du parc — we recently attended a moonlight ski which ended with a campfire and hot chocolate. Magical!