It's fun to walk in areas of the city where I have not walked before. Even though I have driven through this part of Montreal, it is not the same as viewing on foot. While I am not a huge fan of graffiti, I did like the images here.
We walked into a park with houses facing it on each side. This three story (though more elegant than some) is typical of houses in parts of Montreal. The second and third floor dwellings are reached by an outdoor staircase, which can be treacherous on icy mornings. The wrought iron balconies at the left are more typical than the stone and concrete of the building in the centre.
This neighbourhood is near the Lachine Canal, once an important waterway, through which boats could bypass the Lachine Rapids. Industries sprang up along the canal. Since the advent of the St. Lawrence Seaway, it lost its usefulness. Now a bicycle path runs along it (not open this time of year). The waterway is used by pleasure boats, not working boats. Where once factories stood, now housing is replacing them. This footbridge crosses over the canal.
You can learn more about the history of the canal here.
