150th anniversary
of Mount Royal Park
A living heritage in the heart of Montreal, guardian of a fragile balance between city and nature
May 21, 2026
On May 24, 1876, exactly 150 years ago, Montreal inaugurated Mount Royal Park, laid out by Frederick Law Olmsted, the visionary landscape architect behind Central Park in New York and many other major public parks. His aim was to give the population access to nature, beauty and tranquillity in the heart of the city. To this day, the park remains one of the most emblematic and unifying places in Montreal.
Olmsted’s vision was founded on a profoundly humanistic and democratic conviction.
Olmsted’s vision was founded on a profoundly humanistic and democratic conviction. Large urban parks were meant to contribute to the health, well‑being and quality of life of everyone, regardless of their neighbourhood, origin or circumstances. “For 150 years, Mount Royal Park has been part of the lives of Montrealers. It is at once a landscape, a refuge, a place of memory, of encounters and of contemplation. Its presence at the heart of the city is an immense privilege, but also a collective responsibility,” says Christophe Derrien, Executive Director of Les Amis de la montagne.
Between now and the end of the year, Les Amis de la montagne will offer a series of public activities to mark the park’s 150th anniversary and the organization’s 40th anniversary. A special edition of the photo contest will be launched on June 1, 2026, inviting amateur and professional photographers to cast a sensitive, creative and personal eye on the park, its landscapes, natural environments, heritage, uses and future. The contest will run until September 13 inclusive, with prizes awarded in five categories.
Among the many activities on the program is At the Root of the Tree, a sound walk conceived and produced by Portrait Sonore, exploring the trees of Mount Royal Park, its creation, its fragile ecosystem and its distinctive character. There will also be a guided tour on the legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted, linking the Jardin des Hospitalières to the Camillien‑Houde belvedere, in collaboration with the Musée des Hospitalières. In addition, the community will be invited to celebrate the 150 years of Mount Royal Park during a flagship event by Les Amis de la montagne on Saturday and Sunday, October 17 and 18, 2026, bringing the public together around the mountain.
‘Between now and the end of the year, Les Amis de la montagne will offer a series of public activities to mark the park’s 150th anniversary and the organization’s 40th anniversary.’
“This anniversary must be more than a celebration; it must be a moment of awareness. In a city that is becoming denser, warmer, and constantly changing, Mount Royal Park is more necessary than ever. It contributes to Montreal’s biodiversity, health, social ties and resilience. Protecting it means preserving an essential part of who we are collectively,” concludes Christophe Derrien.
On the occasion of Mount Royal Park’s 150th anniversary, Les Amis de la montagne are therefore inviting Montrealers to rediscover this emblematic landscape in the heart of the city. A living legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted’s humanistic vision, the park remains a refuge of nature, memory and encounters in a metropolis undergoing rapid transformation, where its protection appears more necessary than ever.
About Les Amis de la montagne
Founded in 1986, Les Amis de la montagne is dedicated to protecting and enhancing Mount Royal by focusing on environmental education and collective engagement. Les Amis de la montagne
Featured image: © PixupMTL
