Des Rapides Park

Des Rapides Park Parc des Rapides
Location of Des Rapides Park in Montreal
Location	LaSalle, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Coordinates	45°25′42″N 73°35′28″W / 45.428448°N 73.591082°W / 45.428448; -73.591082Coordinates: 45°25′42″N 73°35′28″W / 45.428448°N 73.591082°W / 45.428448; -73.591082
Area	30 hectares (74 acres)
Operated by	City of Montreal

Des Rapides Park (French: Parc des Rapides) is an urban park in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Located adjacent to the Lachine Rapids in the borough of LaSalle, Des Rapides Park is part of the City of Montreal's Network of Large Parks.

The park is 30 hectares (74 acres) large. It has been a migratory bird sanctuary since 1937, and is home to over 225 species of bird,^[1] among these is the great blue heron, a protected species.

History

The site was subject to an archaeological excavation in 1984. The excavation uncovered various artifacts which proved the presence of the First Nations on Heron Island, Goat Island and the Boquet presque isle dating back over 2,000 years. It is believed that the area was used as a staging area for Iroquois fishermen.

The park contains the foundations of the old Lachine hydroelectric generating station, built in 1897 and demolished in 1948 as well as the ruins of a few water mills built between 1712 and 1869.

Amenities

Des Rapides Park contains bicycle paths, hiking trails as well as cross-country skiing trails in winter.

References