How to Beat the Heat!

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1. SPLASH PADS

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We’ve personally visited over 100 splash pads, and they’re all on the website. Everything from a park with one small fountain, to million dollar splash pads. And the best thing? They’re free! While these are the ones we’ve been to, there are TONS on the island.
You can read about our favourites HERE
And find West Island and Vaudreuil-Soulanges splash pads HERE. 

As with all our posts there is a description, full size photo gallery, map and driving directions, and usually a video. I do NOT take photos or video of other children, so sometimes videos just aren’t possible, sorry!
You can search for splash pads in the main menu under “SPLASH PADS” where they’re listed randomly, under “PLAYGROUNDS” with its dropdown menu of all the cities, OR use our handy dandy interactive map which you can find HERE. Also, you can just do a search for “splash pad” right in the search box at the top.


2. MUNICIPAL POOLS

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This isn’t a super helpful entry, as it’s not like we’ve been to all the pools in the city, but seems like it should be here!
Some cities (like Verdun) have free access to their municipal pools for residents, some of the Montreal Boroughs charge a small daily fee if you’re not a resident, and there are the ones where you need to be a seasonal member. We’re members at our local pool so don’t really go to others, but if you don’t want to be tied down to one, you could plan a whole circuit. I suggest checking the individual cities’ website for opening hours and rates as they vary wildly. 


3. BEACHES

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We’ve seen beaches to the West and South of the island. So far none up north. Sorry!
Please check before going in 2019 as the high water levels are delaying the opening of some beaches. 
Here they are in no particular order:

Saint-Zotique Beach: We visited this popular beach in 2019 and I only wished we’d gone years earlier! There is the lovely long beach with soft sand, playgrounds, a wading pool, over a thousand picnic tables, and a new splash pad. Food and ice cream is available at the beach. 

Parc national d’Oka: Beach, watercraft to rent, walking & biking trails, ice cream, huge playground, Aquazilla…

Parc-nature du Cap-Saint-Jacques: Beach, watercraft to rent, farm, walking & biking trails, farmers’ market…

RécréoParc Beach (Sainte-Catherine): This man-made beach has the softest sand, not a single rock in the water, and a lovely shallow lake that’s great for toddlers. There’s also a deeper section with a slide. 

Beach of the Regional Park of the Saint-Timothée Islands (Valleyfield): Beach, watercraft to rent, walking & biking trails, accessible playground, beach volleyball…

Parc-nature du Bois-de-l’Île-Bizard: (tiny) beach, walking & biking trails. 
Check in 2019 as the beach may still be closed due to high water levels. 

Jack-Layton Park (Sandy Beach, Hudson)): Beach (ONLY for wading, there is no swimming allowed), walking trails. Dogs are allowed at certain times of the day. 

Centre de la nature (Cowansville): This park is home to the small beach, a splash pad, playground, skatepark, biking trails, tennis and tons more. You can also rent watercraft. Best of all entry is free! 

Verdun Beach This new-in-2019 beach is accessible by car, metro and bike trails. It’s not huge, but it’s close to downtown which makes it a nice treat for city dwellers or those without a car. 

Mille Roches Beach: Located a little ways past Cornwall Ontario, this beach was a load of fun. With a neat playground right near the sand, and a spot to rent kayaks and canoes, plan to spend the day relaxing and playing. 

Glengarry Beach: Located just east of Lancaster Ontario, this small beach has spots to picnic and bbq, a small playground and room to run around. 

Summerstown Beach: Located just west of Lancaster Ontario, this beach has lots of room to picnic and bbq, and a nice marsh walk.