Gatineau Park and Leamy Lake beaches open to swimmers as of Friday

Gatineau Park and Leamy Lake beaches will open for the summer season Friday, June 15, 2012.

Until September 3, 2012, residents and visitors will have daily access to O’Brien, Blanchet, Breton, Parent and La Pêche beaches, in Gatineau Park, from 10 am to 6 pm and to Leamy Lake Beach from 10:30 am to 6:30 pm. Lifeguards will be on site during these hours. Swimmers will have access to facilities such as washrooms, change rooms and picnic tables.

The NCC urges the public to be prudent and keep personal safety in mind. Swimmers must respect designated hours, when beaches are supervised, and the swimming areas defined by buoys.

Entry fees:

  • Meech, Philippe and La Pêche Lake beaches: $10 per automobile; $30 per mini-bus; $50 per bus; $70 for a season’s pass.
  • Leamy Lake Beach: $7 per automobile; $ 21 per bus.

The purchase of a daily pass for Gatineau Park beaches also includes access to Mackenzie King Estate and to Leamy Lake Beach.

Canoes, kayaks and other non-motorized vessel facilities are available for rent at both Philippe and La Pêche lakes. For those looking to discover some of Gatineau Park’s recreational pathways, bike rentals are available at Philippe Lake.

Water sample testing results:
The NCC would also like to inform the public of the results of water sample testing done at NCC public beaches in Gatineau Park and Leamy Lake on June 3, 2012. Water samples taken at all beaches meet bacteriological standards for swimming. Below are the results:

  • Meech Lake – Gatineau Park
    O’Brien and Blanchet beaches: Class A – excellent for swimming
  • Philippe Lake – Gatineau Park
    Breton, Parent and Smith beaches: Class A – excellent for swimming
  • La Pêche Lake – Gatineau Park
    La Pêche Lake Beach: Class A – excellent for swimming
  • Leamy Lake Beach
    Class C – fair for swimming

For more information on NCC beaches, the public may contact the NCC at 819-827-2020, 1-800-465-1867, 613-239-5090 (TTY) or 1-866-661-3530 (toll-free TTY), visit the NCC’s website at www.canadascapital.gc.ca/things-to-do/swimming, or visit the Gatineau Park Visitor Centre located at 33 Scott Road, in Chelsea, Quebec.

Media Information:
Jasmine Leduc                          Jean Wolff
NCC Media Relations               NCC Media Relations
613-239-5410 (office)              613-239-5703 (office)
613-608-3119 (cellular)           613-797-0279 (cellular)
jasmine.leduc@ncc-ccn.ca
        jean.wolff@ncc-ccn.ca