OTJ Park

Close to the downtown, the OTJ’s park offers over 200 meters of green space by Mégantic Lake. In the entirely developed park, visitors of all ages can enjoy playground equipment, picnic areas, a beach and a modern water play park.

The Œuvre de Terrains de Jeux (OTJ) was launched by the Church in order to involve priesthood students of the region in organizing activities for youth in the form of a day camp.

Photo: OTJ children circa 1956.

The first OTJ in Lac-Mégantic was located at Baie-des-Sables. In 1938 or 1939, children regrouped in front of the presbytery and sang a hymn to thank priest Monseigneur Bonin for allowing them to go to the OTJ. After that, they would walk along rue Laval and turn left on a road, now rue Sévigny, to reach Baie-des-Sables.

In 1938, the OTJ’s concrete wall was built by Héon Construction. In 1940, the day camp was moved to its current spot, the OTJ’s park. After the first summer at the OTJ’s park, “Le P’tit blond” magazine was published.

Today the day camp still welcomes Lac-Mégantic’s children with a lot of fun activities by the lake during summer.

During summer, the park welcomes children registered to the day camp certified program. For 60 years now, the day camp offers stimulating activities as well as a safe and dynamic, fun, creative and imaginative-oriented environment for children.

The Pavillon de services Fernand-Grenier, in the middle of the park, houses the sanitary facility and rooms for rental. A softball field, a soccer or free-game field, a volleyball field and a bicycle and roller blades path complete the park.

On the theme Grandeur nature, 20 pieces of art from Club photo région de Mégantic’s members embellish the vicinity of the cycling path. Installed on large permanent structures, they brighten up the landscape all year round. Citizens and visitors are invited to admire the expertise of participants in this major photograph competition.

A must-see group of images along the cycling path between rue Milette and rue Victoria. A total of 49 members from various towns across the MRC du Granit form the Club photo région de Mégantic. The club is the opportunity to share, develop and promote their photograph skills. This exhibition is a way to present to the public the efforts behind the members’ artistic work.