Oct 12 – Approaching
Montréal and its islands, I am now in one of the outer (“off-island”) suburbs,
Mirabel.
Although the municipality was administratively
created by mergers of small communities in 1973, the name had been common in
the area for a century before that. A Scottish officer of the Canadian Pacific
Railway had bought some land and and created a name for his new farm. Since his two daughters were named Myriam and
Isabel, he chose the name Mirabel for his farm. The combination is a Spanish spelling for a personal
name, meaning “wondrous beauty”. Later,
in 1886, the federal government authorized the CPR to carry mail, and the man opened
a post office nearby using that name.
 |
| Montreal-Mirabel International Airport (abandoned) |
In 1975, the
Montréal-Mirabel International Airport was built to be a major aviation hub surrounded
by industrial parks, but it was too far from downtown Montréal to function
well. Mirabel Airport declined, and in
2004 the airport closed to all passenger traffic. After the passenger terminal closed, it was
used for filming on the Tom Hanks film The Terminal and for other TV shows and
movies. There were even ideas about turning
the airport into a theme park, but those plans fell through and the passenger
terminal was demolished in 2014.
Mirabel has found other sources of prosperity, and it has a beautiful park system. This park
named Bois de Belle-Rivière (Woods on the Beautiful Island”) belongs to the city, and residents of Mirabel may enjoy it for free. Each non-resident pays an entry fee –
including dogs.
PRICES
Adults: $ 6
Children: $
2 (6 to 16)
Dog: $ 1
The motto
for the park is: “Explore Nature in Four Seasons!” It is open year round, but after Labour Day* in September, specific summer activities are closed: a beach, paddling, and fishing
ponds. In all seasons the walking paths,
picnic shelters, rest areas are open, plus horseback riding, for a fee.
Special events are organized throughout the
year for bird watching and a treasure hunt rally using GPS.
Take a look
at this incredible entrance to a labyrinth!
 |
| winter ice path |
In the winter, the park offers: a forest ice path, ice rink, a cross-country ski beginner track, a snowslide for tubing (depending on temperature), and snowshoeing trails (depending on snowfall). Special events this winter include a skating night with torches and Snow Fest.
This seems like a very active park, and it’s great to have such a woodsy park so near the city.
info: Wikipeida.com
* Canadians celebrate Labour Day on the same day Americans celebrate Labor Day. But Québécois Canadiens celebrate Fête du travail. Ooh! I’m
writing franglais!
No comments:
Post a Comment