The best parks to check out in and around Montreal this summer

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It’s been a difficult end to the winter and an equally stressful springtime.

Luckily, Montreal has a bevy of beautiful parks to offer that can help to alleviate stress and gorgeous spots to soak up the summer sunshine.

Parks are great because you can do nothing or you can do something – and both feel equally productive. Regardless of which Montreal borough you’re in, there’s a gorgeous park to enjoy nearby.

Whether you’re warming up your arm for the softball season, feeding the squirrels, taking a run, reading a book, playing chess, or just catching some sweet rays, park season is officially in session.

Here are 7 parks you have to hit up this spring in Montreal.

Westmount Park

Westmount Park is a landmark within the Westmount Borough. That’s saying a lot because the park is competing with mansions, the oratory, and Eugenie Bouchard.

Westmount Park’s 26 acres is home to the newly renovated pool, a massive playground, a football/soccer field, tennis courts, gorgeous gardens, a charming dog park, climbable trees and a pond with a mini waterfall.

It may be Montreal’s second biggest park, but it’s arguably number one in popularity.

Location: Rue Sherbrooke and Melville

Jarry Park

Jarry Park is a beautiful urban park located in the east-end of Montreal. It’s a great spot for basketball and soccer and has plenty of coffee outlets and restaurants to keep you quenched and well fed during your stay.

It’s also oozing with history. From 1969-1976, Jarry Park was home to the Montreal Expos, Canada’s first baseball team. It also once hosted a mass conducted by Pope John Paul II in 1984.

If you want to hang in a park and buff up on some local history, Jarry Park is your go-to.

Location: Boulevard St-Laurent and Rue Jarry

Dorchester Square

Dorchester Square is a sizeable space right smack in the middle of downtown. It’s the perfect pit stop to take a break from the constant buzz of downtown.

The park’s main attraction is Montreal’s only equestrian statue, which pays homage to the Boer War. Feel free to check out any of the park’s four statues any time of day – it’s open 24/7.

Though it’s popular with Montrealers, the cute little squirrels will always own this park.

Location: Rue Peel and René Lévesque

Canal Lachine Park

If you want to be near the water, look no further than Canal Lachine Park. The park has several picnic tables that overlook both the canal and the downtown skyline.

That’s not all that will grab your attention. The park’s trademark view is the Atwater Market’s Clock Tower and the pedestrian bridge, the link between Saint-Henri and Montreal’s downtown route.

This is the ideal spot for rollerbladers, cyclists, photographers, and anyone who wants to shop at Atwater’s farmer market.

Location: Rue Saint-Patrick and Rue Charlevoix

La Fontaine Park

La Fontaine Park is a great place to run, train, play, or paddle-board. It’s located in the middle of the busy Plateau-Mont Royal area of Montreal but the park is always quiet and peaceful.

Bring some wine, a bbq, and hope that one of the park’s frequent puppet shows or theatre plays are happening this year.

Green grass, full trees, a bike path, some wine, and entertainment mixed in with a busy street – it’s urban living at its best.

Location: Avenue Papineau and Rue Rachel

Summit Woods Park

Summit Woods Park is a great place to go for a hike if you don’t want to get off the island. It’s an ideal spot for people who want to reward their dog with smells, greens, and a challenging trek.

The forest is absolutely mesmerizing, worthy enough to make you question whether or not you’re even still in Montreal.

After your hike, reward yourself, and your dog, with a breathtaking view of Montreal from the Westmount summit located at the base of Summit Park. You can’t go wrong.

Location: Summit Circle and Summit Road

Mont Royal Park

You can’t mention parks in Montreal without highlighting Mont Royal Park. Sure, it hosts two hockey rinks in the winter but nothing tops Mont Royal Park’s weekly Tam-Tams parties every Sunday which is currently on hiatus.

The park’s main attraction is the George-Etienne Cartier monument and the park’s liveliness stems from the sound of the drums from which Tam-Tams gets its name.

There’s music, gymnastics, LARPing, volleyball, hoola hooping, and juggling but the park is best known for being very 420 friendly. Take in the view, take a toke and enjoy an absolute gem of a park.

Location: Avenue du Parc and Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine