I was online researching another park (Parc Marcel-Laurin in Saint-Laurent) and came upon this park on a Hydro Quebec website. Not where I was expecting to find park info!
Turns out this bog has been a protected nature park since 2002 and accessible to the public since 2008, and was funded with the assistance of the Fondation Hydro-Québec pour l’environnement.
There are 670 metres of boardwalk in the 10 hectare park, with educational panels explaining the vegetation and wildlife, as well as large map panels and descriptions on the formation of the bog over the last 8000 years.
8000 years!
We parked in the small lot at the intersection of Yearling and Bordelais (drive slowly, it’s easy to miss), and walked along the boardwalk. It was super relaxing, and after finally getting through to the boys that they weren’t allowed to run, we were able to listen to the rustling of the cattails, and they even stopped to read through the info panels. The bog part has a….bog smell, but when we walked further the aroma was so sweet. I don’t know which plant it was (the labrador tea? the blueberry bushes?), but it was sooooooo nice.
We took the trail straight to Rue des Sables, then turned around and took the longer route to the forest at the end.
It’s boardwalk the whole way so it’s very stroller-friendly, but narrow. Both boys wanted to hold my hand which meant one was always in danger of falling into the water. “The bog monster will eat you! Better walk in front!”
It took us about 30 minutes to walk to the end and back to the car. It’s quite small, but we took our time.
Dogs on leash are allowed, but bicycles are not.
No picnic tables, benches, or playgrounds here. Just good ol’ nature.
Read the visitor’s guide HERE
Note: If you want to spend more time in the area, you can visit the Ivor-McLeod Park just up the street.
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