Outremont Park

Outremont has some amazingly beautiful parks, full of meandering paths, mature towering trees, and ponds and fountains beautiful enough to inspire an impressionist painter. When we visited there were families picnicking, children chatting with the ducks swimming around, and couples lounging under the trees. It’s really an idyllic spot. 

The playground though, was completely empty. It could just have been the time of day we were there, or that it was super sunny, or because it’s not really the focal point of this park. I actually prefer the greenery of Outremont parks over the actual playgrounds. 

Within the fully fenced and gated playground are two play structures, baby and adult swings, three old-school metal spring riders (a pig, elephant, and motorcycle), and a sand box (within the sand.)
The little toddler climber is quite cute with steering wheel, stairs, ladder and slide. At the other side of the playground is the structure for older kids with ladders, monkey bars, and different slides. Someone must be worried that the ladder is going to be stolen because there’s a heavy duty chain attached that looks like it’s been there forever! The whole area could use some sprucing up, including the one gate which I couldn’t open, the graffiti covered signs, and the swings need some paint. In the nearby white stucco building is where you’ll find washrooms. 

We played for a few minutes, but the fountain called us back. 

Make sure to pause at the cenotaph dedicated to victims of the First and Second World Wars. It is impressive, beautiful, and sombre. You can read more about it HERE. 
haec olim meminisse ijvabit.
Perhaps someday we will look back upon these things with joy.

Things to note:
-There is lots of shade throughout the park, but not so much on the actual playground. 
-Street parking is available on the surrounding side streets. 
-Head one block north to Bernard Avenue and there are lots of little boutiques, restos and coffee shops. 
-Dogs MUST be on a leash and are NOT allowed in the pond.