Leamy Lake Park occupies an area of 174 hectares. It is located on Fournier Boulevard in the Hull sector of Gatineau, and is accessible to pedestrians and cyclists via the Leamy Lake Pathway.
A true urban oasis, this park is an excellent spot for a day trip or for outdoor sports and recreational activities.
Facilities
- Washrooms: From May to Mid-October (weather permitting), 5 am to 10 pm
- Swimming: June 14 to September 4, 10 am to 7 pm
- Parking hours: Mid-April to mid-May, 7 am to 5 pm. Mid-May to mid-September, 5 am to 10 pm. Mid-September to winter closure, 7 am to 7 pm.
- Parking fees: There is a parking fee during the swimming season. Payment by credit or debit card (tap only) or exact change only (machine does not provide change).
Beach and recreational activities
Surrounded by Leamy Lake, and the Gatineau and Ottawa rivers, the park has:
- a supervised beach for swimming, while lifeguards are on duty
- two volleyball courts (you must bring your own net)
- a playground for children
- a picnic area
- barbecue (charcoal) pits
- a network of pathways for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and winter biking
The NCC is allowing open water swimming at Leamy Lake. The Leamy Lake Navigation Channel is closed and motorized boats are prohibited.
Equipment rentals
Paddlefit
You can rent paddleboards right by the beach! Book your equipment online or in person.
Hours of operation are weather dependent. Contact Paddlefit directly for details.
Centre de plein air du Lac-Leamy
The Centre de plein air du Lac-Leamy, operated by the Ville de Gatineau, also rents canoes, solo and tandem kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards. In winter, it rents snowshoes and cross-country skis.
Food and beverage services
Tavern on the Lake
Tavern on the Lake features an outdoor patio right in front of the beach. Menu includes hot-dogs, burgers, sandwiches, ice cream, beer, wine, and hot and cold beverages.
Open daily at 11 am; hours of operation are weather dependent. Contact Tavern on the Lake directly for details.
Saint-Éloi Café Bistro
The Saint-Éloi Café Bistro, on the north shore of the lake, also offers an outdoor patio and a varied menu.
Ecology and archaeology
To get to the Màwandòseg Bridge over Leamy Creek, follow the Voyageurs Pathway, which is part of the Trans Canada Trail and the Route verte. Along the way, interpretation panels tell the story of the bridge. The lookout, on the southeast side of the bridge, offers a spectacular view. Nesting areas of the northern map turtle, a species at risk, are also found here.
Leamy Lake Park is also an exceptional site for birding, where more than 180 species of birds have been observed. Among the many birds observed are the pileated woodpecker, Northern cardinal and cedar waxwing.
The park contains important archaeological sites, revealing that people occupied this area as early as 5,000 to 6,000 years ago. Public digs have uncovered objects that provide information about the history of First Nations peoples in the region: implements made of stone and native copper, as well as fragments of pottery made by the inhabitants of the campsites.
Discover the remarkable trees in this area.
