Following the success of a pilot project carried out in the summer of 2022, the Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough is once again inviting residents to play outdoors and borrow equipment — for free. The borough’s sports and outdoor equipment loan program aims to promote physical activity and sports while ensuring accessibility to equipment. With the slogan “Viens Jouer Dehors!” (Come Play Outside), free sports and outdoor equipment loan stations opened in seven parks throughout the borough on January 2, 2023.

The equipment offered varies depending on the park and its facilities. At Lalancette Park, visitors can rent skates, sticks, and pucks for an invigorating game of hockey. De la Promenade-Bellerive Park offers snowshoes or cross-country skis for adults and children to enjoy the paths that run along the St. Lawrence River. And at Rougemont Park, moulds for building snow forts are just some of the toys that can be borrowed.

Other equipment available includes baby sleds with covers, plastic toboggans, snow-painting kits, snow tools, hockey helmets, snowball-making moulds, hockey and figure skates, skating aids, and more.

Winter Program Details:

• It’s free and accessible to all.
• The loan of equipment is for a maximum of two hours. The equipment must be returned to the supervisor before the park chalet closes.
• The equipment must be used in the park.
• No reservations — first come, first served.
• To borrow equipment, the user must put a personal object (cell phone, etc.) as collateral in a locker provided for this purpose.
• Loan terms and conditions will be posted at equipment loan stations.

Schedule:

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Every Saturday and Sunday, from January 2 to March 5, 2023;
School break week (February 27 to March 5, 2023).

Upcoming activity

An initiation to cross-country skiing will be offered on Saturday, February 4, to promote the equipment loan service and allow the entire population to discover the pleasure of winter sports. Visit de la Promenade-Bellerive Park (8300 Bellerive St.) between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The activity will be divided into five, 60-minute sessions. Visit the reception table located in front of the park chalet to register and receive your equipment.

Schedule of the day:

9:45 a.m. – Opening of the reception table
10 a.m. – First session (25 people)
11:15 a.m. – Second session (25 people)
1 p.m. – Third session (25 people)
2:15 p.m. – Fourth session (25 people)
3:30 p.m. – Fifth session (25 people)
4 p.m. – End of the equipment loan period

Plan to arrive 15 minutes before the time of the session to get the necessary equipment. First come, first served.
Be sure to bring your snowsuits, warm gloves or mitts, a reusable cup (for your free hot drink!), a water bottle, and a personal item (keys, ID card, cell phone, etc.) to exchange for the equipment loan.

While waiting your turn, you can enjoy interactive games, hot drinks, music, and entertainment.

To learn more about the initiative and see the equipment available in each park, visit montreal.ca/articles/pret-dequipements-sportifs-et-de-plein-air-gratuit-dans-mhm-33583