The grounds of Richelieu Park were purchased by the White Fathers of Africa in 1938. The Vanier Public Library building is one of the few remainders of the centre today. It could house up to 200 young men, there for training as priests and missionaries. Also on the site is the Sugar Bush Shack, built in 1998-99 by the Vanier community, on the site of the original shack built by the White Fathers in 1938. The sap is collected the ‘old-fashioned’ way – buckets are hung on the tree taps and when full, carried up to the sugar shack.
Community members work with city foresters to conserve this unusual legacy in the middle of our city. Trees toppled during the ice-storm of 1998 were salvaged and used as the ceiling planks of the Sugar Shack. When the sap is running, usually from about the end of February to the end of March, the Sugar Shack is open for school tours with a free ‘taffy-on-snow’ or 'maple-sugar' treat at the end.
The newest building on the site, now a community centre, was the (final) location of Vanier's city hall before amalgamation.
Things you might want to know:
- This is a straight forward "Go & Get 'Em" cache.
- The trails are well traveled, so stealth and timing are important.
- The container is a 1L Lock 'N Lock box.
- Please take the time to re-hide the cache well.
- You can park at the following co-ordinates: N 45 26.642 W 075 39.612
- DO NOT approach the cache from the cemetery, it is not accessible from there.
- When placed, the cache contained:
- Plastic toy animals
- Mini compass with carabiner
- 256 MB Kingston Technology USB drive
- Fridge magnet clip
- Deck of junior size playing cards
- Log book etc...
- Have fun!
* UPDATE * Although still technically "findable", the hide has proven to be non-winter friendly. The area itself is very winter accessible however, so you are encouraged to enjoy it anyway.