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| - What an absolutely stunnnig place to spend a day walking around, experiencing the beauty of a created park and lake right next to an expansive walking trail system overlooking the beautiful city of Montréal. If you don't do anything else, and are on a tight schedule, this is a must do. You can rent bikes if you want to ride around the trails. People walking should be aware that cyclists are on the move. We were lapped a couple times on the trails by a big riding group, who rang a bell upon approach (per Park rules, and common sense). Unlike the solo rider cruising around Lac aux Castors; he didn't announce himself and nearly ended up in the lake for his carelessness when he practically rode into some ladies who didn't hear him.
Ample parking at main park (pay at the ticket dispenser) and a smaller lot offside of the road at the summit overlook. Get out at the latter and climb even higher to reach the Mont Royal Cross, which is illuminated at night. Ladies, dressy strappy heels are not recommended on those dirt pathways. Yup, saw it with our own eyes. And please don't feed the wildlife. Recreational smokers tried to look inconspicuous. Something was a giveaway. LOL
The main park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the Connecticut-born landscape architect and anti-slavery activist, who also designed New York's Central Park. Lac aux Castors was the creation of Frederick Gage Todd, originally from Concord, NH and did his apprenticeship in landscape architecture with Olmsted's firm.
There is currently an informative exposition, "Mont Royal: A Territory to Discover" in Maison Smith, a 19th century farmhouse. We didn't check out the Maison Smith café. Upper level can be rented out for meeting space. Year-round activities abound in the park for individuals, kids, families and groups (http://www.lemontroyal.qc.ca/en/activities-and-services/outdoor-activities.sn). Several small construction projects going on during our visit: new interpretive kiosks being built and a playground was under renovation. What a treasure for residents and visitors!
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