Sitting on a 74-acre lot, Parc des Rapides is a verdant urban park in the heart of the LaSalle borough. One of the largest parks in the region, it is an important part of the town’s history and wildlife preservation.

The site underwent an archaeological excavation in 1984, where various artifacts from more than 2000 years ago were recovered. Those artifacts indicated that the area was occupied by Iroquois fishermen and proved the presence of the First Nations on the isle, making the park central to the town’s identity. The park is also home to the ruins of the old Lachine hydroelectric generating station from 1897 and some water mills from the 1700s and 1800s. The onsite bird sanctuary adds its ecological value.

The various recreational opportunities include cycling, hiking and skiing during the winter. Visitors can also view the mesmerizing Lachine rapids from here.

Photos: Google Maps, Krupal Patel; Google Street View, Anna Andrienko