Angell Woods
Angell Woods is an old-growth forest of approximately 100 hectares, located in Beaconsfield, Quebec, Canada. It is bordered by Quebec Autoroute 20 to the south, Quebec Autoroute 40 to the north, an industrial park in Baie-D'Urfé to the west, and a residential subdivision to the east. The Angell Woods is one of the few remaining old-growth forests as well as one of the largest wetlands on the Island of Montreal.
The City of Beaconsfield describes Angell Woods as one of the most important wooded areas on the island of Montreal. The woods also have now been officially designated for permanent protection and conservation as a nature park by the City of Montreal. They are formally part of the Grand Parc de l’ouest, as recently declared by the City of Montreal.
Aerial view of Angell Woods
Angell Woods are home to at least fourteen species of rare plants which are designated as endangered or vulnerable,
including Black Maple, wild Leek (Ail des bois) and bloodroot.
Who owns Angell Woods?
Angell Woods is not yet officially a public park. While it was once owned by the Valois and Angell families in the early 1800’s as private farmland, it is now owned in part by private land developers, in part by the government of Quebec and the Cities of Montreal and Beaconsfield and in part by the conservation agencies Ducks Unlimited and the Association for the Protection of Angell Woods. The Association is owner of the Angell Woods Nature Reserve, which was designated by the Government of Quebec in 2005.
What is Angell Woods like?
Angell Woods is a beautiful hardwood forest, containing Maples, Hickories, Birch, Cedar, Oak and Ash, many of which are over a century old. The woods are home to much wildlife, including endangered species such as the red-shouldered hawk, Cooper’s hawk and the brown snake. Large portions of the woods are valuable wetlands, housing countless different types of flora and fauna. The City of Montreal’s “Atlas des Bois” notes in particular the mature nature of the forest, its links to wetlands, and the fact that it serves as a refuge for rare species of plants and animals. The Woods are also crisscrossed with a network of trails, maintained by volunteers, which are enjoyed by hikers, dogwalkers and cross-country skiers all year round.