“Another park?” you might be thinking. But Parc Jacques-Laurin offers something special. This isn’t just any green space.
Parc Marcel-Laurin woodland offers city dwellers a unique chance to connect with nature. It sits at the edge of the park. This woodland covering 15.97 ha is a precious natural urban environment.
Since 2005, efforts have been underway to enhance the woodlot. This involves controlling harmful species. It also aims to restore the environment. Various infrastructures are maintained to support the park’s ecological health.
The wooded area of Parc Marcel-Laurin is the first Category A municipal natural site. It’s listed in the Directory of Protected Natural Environments of the Agglomeration of Montreal. The Arrondissement de Saint-Laurent requested its entry in December 2010.
The woodland has 2.1 km of walking trails including one to Bassin de la Brunante. The total area including Parc Marcel-Laurin is 37.4 ha.
The Bois-du-Parc Marcel-Laurin and the Brunante basin are sites of interest for bird watching. Ornithology enthusiasts are invited to register their observations in the eBird Quebec database. The database helps monitor bird populations and provides data visualization tools. More than 110 species of birds live in the woods.
The woods have various forest stands and wetlands that constitute important biodiversity. There are over 191 plant species including 38 tree species and 41 shrub species. 112 herbaceous species call this park home.
However common buckthorn and common reed are invasive alien plants. They must be eradicated. These plants supplant other species.
Several donors and collaborators have contributed to the protection of this environment.
Visiting Parc Marcel-Laurin has a few simple rules. No off-trail walking is allowed. No dogs or bicycles allowed. Do not feed or bring animals into the woodland. Do not pick plants or capture animals.
Parc Marcel-Laurin is more than just a park. It is a vital green space. It supports biodiversity. It offers a place for education.