Summer is the perfect time to relax outdoors, visit playgrounds, and explore the rivers around Montreal. And at the lovely new Parc des Anciens-Combattants in Pierrefonds-Roxboro, you can do all that and more.

Fun for all ages

Completed in the summer of 2020, the site, which was previously known as the Pierrefonds Marina, now has activities and facilities for all ages. Visitors can play a game of beach volleyball, bocce or shuffleboard; work out under the sky in one of two Trek-Fit exercise areas, or launch non-motorized watercraft for a jaunt along the shore.

In the central playground, toddlers to tweens have space to crawl, spin, and climb. Toddlers can enjoy the ground-level instrument panels, the itty-bitty slide, and the interactive play table. Just across the middle path is a climbing/swinging/sliding/spinning delight for older children with some challenging unique features like the wiggly balance rope.

Activities on the Water

This summer, you can rent single or double kayaks at the park’s nautical centre through the city’s partner organization GUEPE (Le Groupe uni des éducateurs-naturalistes et professionnels en environnement) and explore the rivière des Prairies.

New this season are additional activities and courses including an introduction to kayaking, moonlight or sunrise kayak outings, and rabaska outings.

Reservations are required and rates include all equipment (boat, paddles, PFD and a safety kit) as well as taxes and reservation fees. You can find pricing, ages, and opening hours details on the GUEPE website (only available in French).

Things to note:

• The playground is on wood chips and while there are some accessible play things, there is no cutout in the playground’s concrete border, which makes it difficult to get into the place space for those with mobility equipment.
• There is no shade over the play area.
• Two drinking fountains are located near the playground.
• Bring a picnic because there’s tons of shade under the mature trees and picnic tables scattered throughout the park.

Parc des Anciens-Combattants
Address: 155 Rose St., Pierrefonds-Roxboro, H8Y 2B8
Parking: Free parking in two small lots.
Bathroom facility: Check the hours of the Welcome Centre HERE.