Nichol Park

Photo of the waterfront area of Nichol Park and part of the area near 8th Avenue, photo: Municipality of Rawdon.

Point of Interest 8 of the Rawdon Lake Aquatic Tour

History, Landscape and Recreational Use

Nichol Park is located on the same side of the shore as the municipal beach. The park runs along the lake from a peninsula situated diagonally across from the golf course pier. Bordering Rawdon Lake, Nichol Park immediately charms visitors with its vast pine grove, which gives it a character that is both peaceful and distinctive. Irregular in shape on the lake side, it stretches along the lakeshore to 8th Avenue, near Des Bouleaux Street, and, depending on the season and hours of operation, remains easily accessible. You can get there on foot, by car or by bike via the bike path (1)

Excerpt from a map of the municipality of Rawdon showing the location of Nichol Park and the municipal beach.

 Origin of the name and heritage

The park is named after Frederick W. Nichol, a benefactor whose commitment played a key role in the development of the site.(2)

In the late 1930s, IBM executive Frederick W. Nichol stayed at the Rawdon Inn. In 1940, he purchased land near the beach to preserve public access to the waterfront and to promote recreational activities for the community (3).

In 1954, he donated this land to the Municipality to expand the beach, on the condition that it be developed as a place for rest, recreation and play for the benefit of Rawdon’s residents. This generous gesture paved the way for the creation of Nichol Park, named in honour of its donor.

Article published in August 1953 in the Rawdon News Bulletin, describing the achievements of Frederick W. Nichol.

In accordance with the donor’s wishes, this park has become an important recreational and tourist destination and a gathering place cherished by the Rawdon community. A member of the Société d’histoire de Rawdon recalls that his father was a regular at the tennis courts until the age of 75.

Overview of the areas of Nichol Park

Waterfront area and walking trail

On the lake side, the park’s many pine trees enhance the landscape and contribute to the serene atmosphere of the area. The waterfront area includes a volleyball court located near the boat wash station; there is also a second (smaller) beach, picnic tables, walking trails (4) and a large parking lot—all amenities that make it a prime spot for relaxation, contemplation and walking.

Lake access and water sports services

Located at the bottom of the access to the waterfront area of Nichol Park is the watercraft rental company À la dérive, whose mission is to provide hands-on experience as part of the student entrepreneurial program at Collège Champagneur (5).

Pine grove in the waterfront area of Nichol Park, photo: Société d’histoire de Rawdon.
Garage used to store watercraft for rent, photo: Société d’histoire de Rawdon.
Boat wash station at Nichol Park, photo: Société d’histoire de Rawdon

Behind the building used by À la dérive is the boat wash station, acquired by the Municipality in 2024 to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive alien aquatic species (6).

Playground area and dog park on 8th Avenue

Facilities and activities

This area along 8th Avenue was designated from the outset for the creation of a range of recreational facilities intended for people of all ages. In 2026, the area features children’s play structures, water play areas, bocce courts, tennis courts, a basketball court, a lighted baseball field and a dog park (7).

Annual tennis tournament, summer 1991, held at Nichol Park, photo: Denise Perreault-Breault family collection.
Baseball for all ages at Nichol Park, 2005, photo: Denise Perreault-Breault family collection.
New in 2023, a table for ping-pong enthusiasts, photo: Denise Perreault-Breault family collection.
Softball team reunion, September 2000, photo: Denise Perreault-Breault family collection.
Memories of softball games at Nichol Park, photo: Diane Mailhot family collection.

Sources:

  1. Municipality of Rawdon, bicycle network map prepared by Daniel Rémy, 21-04, 2026. Website accessed June 12, 2026. URL: https://rawdon.ca/storage/app/media/photos%20site%20web/pistes-cyclables-rawdon-04.pdf   
  2. Fournier, Marcel. Rawdon : 175 ans d’histoire (Rawdon: 175 years of history), Joliette, 1974, pp. 139–140. Website accessed May 23, 2026. URL:  https://www.histoirederawdon.ca/rawdon-175-ans-dhistoire/ 
  3. Brady, Gérard. Rawdon, Mon Village (Rawdon, my village). Ed. Village de Rawdon, 1995, pp. 150–151.
  1. AllTrails, Boucle du parc Nichol (Nichol Park loop). Website accessed June 1, 2026. URL: https://www.alltrails.com/fr/randonnee/canada/quebec/boucle-du-parc-nichol
  2. À la dérive, Location d’embarcations nautiques (watercraft rental). Website accessed June 1, 2026. URL: https://aladeriverawdon.wixsite.com/aladerive
  3. Municipality of Rawdon, “Une première station de lavage d’embarcations à Rawdon” (A first boat wash station in Rawdon). Website accessed June 1, 2026. URL: https://rawdon.ca/fr/actualites/actualites/une-premiere-station-de-lavage-dembarcations-rawdon
  4. Municipality of Rawdon, Installations récréo-sportives (Recreational and sports facilities). Website accessed June 1, 2026. URL: https://rawdon.ca/fr/loisirs-et-culture/parcs-et-infrastructures/installations-recreo-sportives
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