There’s a whole lot happening in the parks of Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension this winter, and all that’s needed is some snowy weather, and you! From December to March, the borough and its community partners will be animating activities, hosting events and festivals, and loaning out seasonal equipment.
Nature exploration
Even under the snow and ice, there’s a ton to discover. During this activity, nature-educators from GUEPE will explain what happens to nature during the winter season. No vaccination passport is required for this outdoor activity, but there is a maximum of 50 participants and there could be a wait time if the capacity is reached.
Find a list of participating parks and dates visit here: guepe.qc.ca/activites/la-nature-en-tournee
Winter wonder
Participants will be able to live a unique experience with a circus flavour and play a variety of traditional games from the four corners of the world. There will also be musicians and singers entertaining visitors with Quebecois music. No vaccination passport is required for this outdoor activity, but there is a maximum of 50 participants and there could be a wait time if the capacity is reached.
From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the following parks: Nicolas-Tillemont (January 29), Howard (February 6), Champdoré (January 23) and Ovila-Légaré (January 30).
More details here: lemoulinavent.org
Winter festival on January 30, 2022
A winter party awaits at Ovila-Légaré Park (corner of Pie-IX Blvd. and 47th Rd.). Enjoy winter activities, a heated tent to put on skates, snowshoe lending, kiosks, hot chocolate and soup.
More details here: 1pakt.com
Winter festival on February 5, 2022
Layer on the long johns and join other families at the winter party in George-Vernot Park (13th Avenue, between Robert Blvd. and Jean-Rivard Rd.). There will be snow sculptures, skates and snowshoes loaned out, an introduction to skating, kiosks, and hot chocolate and soup to warm you up.
More details here: 1pakt.com
Equipment loans and introduction to skating
For five weekends, Patro Villeray (7355 Christophe-Colomb) will have 80 pairs of skates to lend to the public at the reception of the Patro Villeray gymnasium.
This service will be available on weekends from January 29 through February 27, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Borrow gear
Loisirs du Parc and PEYO are loaning out skates, cross-country skis, and snowshoes for a period of six weeks. Visit the entrance hall of the William-Hingston complex (419 Saint-Roch) to fill out a form and pay a deposit of $5 per pair (cash only). Inventory is limited and is offered as first come, first served. Once you’ve picked up your new equipment, head into nearby Jarry Park to try it all out.
1st loan session:
Wednesday, December 22, 2021, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Loan return date:
Saturday, January 29, 2022, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
2nd loan session:
Saturday, February 12, 2022, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Loan return date:
Saturday, March 26, 2022, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Free initiation to skating activity
Visit Howard Park (8505 De L’Épée) on Sunday, February 6, 2022, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. for a free initiation to skating, and you can even borrow skates on site.
Skates loan
In collaboration with the René-Goupil Recreation Centre, the borough is offering short term or whole season skate loans. Skates can be borrowed from the René-Goupil Recreation Centre (4121, 42nd Street) during the centre’s opening hours. The loans are for a maximum period of two months, and skates must be returned no later than March 31, 2022. A deposit of $5 per family will be requested.
For information call 514-872-5602.
Frédéric-Back Park
TOHU will once again offer free loan of cross-country skis and snowshoes. A network of more than seven kilometres of cross-country ski trails will be accessible to all and there are beautiful walking paths at this huge park.
For more details visit tohu.ca
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More outdoor programming
The Loisirs communautaires Saint-Michel (LCSM) and the Centre de Loisirs René-Goupil (CLRG) will offer a series of outdoor activities in François-Perrault and Ovila-Légaré parks.
At the Bleu Blanc Bouge refrigerated skating rink in François-Perrault Park, kids 6-12 years old can participate in an initiation to hockey. The classes start on Saturday January 26 for six weeks. The cost is $80 and more details are available here: lcsm.qc.ca. Intro to skating for 6-12 year olds will be available at Ovila-Légaré Park on Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., starting January 26. Follow facebook.com/clrenegoupil to learn more.
Also, at the rink in François-Perrault Park, there will be free musical entertainment and skating evenings for people of all ages during four nights in February and March (dates to be confirmed). Visit lcsm.qc.ca for more information.
And in February and March, discover the exciting world of Yukigassen, which is essentially a competitive snowball fight. Cooooool. Dates will be confirmed later in the season and details on this free activity can be found at lcsm.qc.ca.
Related Read: Winter activities offered at Montreal large parks
