The nature park of the Visitation Island in the heart of Sault-au-Recollet (established in 1984) is a large park located in Montreal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville and Montreal North. The island of Visitation, the old hydraulic installations, now abandoned, the island of Cheval-de-Terre, connected to Laval by the Central Prairie River and woodland left in its natural state along Des Prairies River, are part of the park it has 34 hectares. In 1736, the Sulpicians (lords of the places), connect the island to the shore by a causeway to be able to control the current strength. Simon Sicar, engineer, erect the dam and built a sawmill near the island. He then built a stone mill to grind grain and another to card wool. In 1806, a house was built for pressing apples to make cider but there remain only the basics of masonry. There is a dam at the hydroelectric plant of the Des Prairies River. There are several places and walkways from where you can observe nature and its inhabitants.
Tips
It is a perfect place to walk in summer or visit by bike, there’s a path along the river and you can visit the historical monuments mills sites, the house of the press and the miller’s house. There is also a small train with entertainment for children and other organized activities which you can view online on the park site.
There is a bar and terrace with tables next to the historic site of the mills on the edge of the water.
In winter you can practice cross-country skiing. There is a cottage that remains open to change clothes.
