Chelsea in Outaouais, Québec — Central Canada (French-Canadian)
The Birth of Gatineau Park
La Création du Parc de la Gatineau
Photographed by Robert Rusaw, October 17, 2025
1. The Birth of Gatineau Parc Marker
In the early 1900s, outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers advocated for the creation of a park in the Capital. In 1938, the Government of Canada authorized the purchase of land to protect part of the Gatineau Hills-and Gatineau Park was born.
Today, the Park is an important part of the identity of Canada’s Capital Region. Its 361 square kilometres of protected land make it a valuable conservation tool and a treasure for those who love the outdoors. It is also a vital component of our cultural heritage, which expresses the history of this region and of the country as a whole.
Au début des années 1900, amateurs de plein air et amants de la nature réclament la création d’un parc dans la capitale. En 1938, le gouvernement du Canada autorise l’achat de terrains pour protéger une partie des collines de la Gatineau. Le Parc était né.
De nos jours, le parc de la Gatineau est au cœur de l’identité de la région de la capitale du Canada. Ses 361 km d’espace protégé en font un précieux outil de conservation de la nature et un trésor pour les amateurs de plein air. Il fait aussi partie du patrimoine culturel qui raconte l’histoire de la région, mais aussi celle du pays.
Captions
1. Le dixième premier ministre du Canada, William Lyon Mackenzie King, aimait bien amener ses invites en randonnée pour le faire découvrir les vues spectaculaires depuis le mont King.
Canada's 10th prime minister William Lyon Mackenzie King enjoyed taking guests hiking to show them the spectacular views from King Mountain.
2. Mackenzie King à son domaine, avec son chien Pat. Le premier ministre William Lyon Mackenzie King possédait un domaine champêtre dans les collines de la Gatineau. A son décès, King ra légué au peuple canadien. Il fait maintenant partie du Parc. Vous pouvez le visiter.
Mackenzie King at his estate, with his dog Pat. Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King owned a country estate in the Gatineau Hills. When he died, King bequeathed his estate to the people of Canada. It is now part of Gatineau Park and is open to visitors.
3. Des membres du Club de ski d’Ottawa, Dès le début des années 1900, les collines de la Gatineau sont fine destination de choix pour les amateurs de plein air.
Members of the Ottawa Ski Club. Ever since the early 1900s, the Gatineau Hills have been popular with outdoor enthusiasts.
Erected by National
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1938.
Location. 45° 29.29′ N, 75° 51.854′ W. Marker is in Chelsea, Québec, in Outaouais. It can be reached from King Mountain Trail near Champlain Parkway. The marker is located on the King’s Mountain Trail on King’s Mountain in the Gatineau Parc. It can be reached from King Mountain Parking lot on Champlain Parkway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chelsea QC J9B 1A3, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Ottawa Metropolitan Area and in the Outaouais & Eastern Townships. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Great North Woods, the Western Hemisphere, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Rupert’s Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: First Geodetic Survey Station / La Première-Station-Geodésique (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); Geodetic Survey of Canada / La Division des Levés Géodésiques du Canada (about 150 meters away); Le sentier récréatif du boulevard Fournier (approx. 12.7 kilometers away); La Rue Hanson : témoin d'une famille d'industriels (approx. 12.8 kilometers away); La Maison Wright-Scott : Un environnement pittoresque au cœur de la ville (approx. 12.8 kilometers away); Le village d'Argentine, dernier témoin d'une époque (approx. 12.9 kilometers away); Le ruisseau de la Brasserie (approx. 12.9 kilometers away); Place de la Francophonie (approx. 13 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chelsea.
Regarding The Birth of Gatineau Park. From here, you can see Gatineau Park is very close to a very large urban centre, which is quite rare for a nature conservation area. This did not happen by accident.
In the early 1900s, outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers advocated for the creation of a park in the Capital. In 1938, the Government of Canada authorized the purchase of land to protect part of the Gatineau Hills—and Gatineau Park was born.
Today, the Park is an important part of the identity of Canada’s Capital Region. Its 361 square kilometres of protected land makes it a valuable conservation tool and a treasure for those who love the outdoors. It is also a vital component of our cultural heritage, which expresses the history of this region and the country as a whole.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2025, by Robert Rusaw of Massena, New York. This page has been viewed 42 times since then and 16 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on October 18, 2025, by Robert Rusaw of Massena, New York. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide view photo of the marker and the surrounding area together in context. • Can you help?
