Montreal

It's summer in Montreal: Jardins Gamelin kicks off 2nd year in a row

Place Émilie-Gamelin's summer garden is officially open and thriving again for a second summer.

Place Émilie-Gamelin hosts musical shows, art and agriculture installations until Oct. 2

Place Émilie-Gamelin's summer garden is officially open and thriving again for the second year in a row.

At the corner of Berri and Ste-Catherine streets, hundreds gathered Thursday night for a taste of arts, performances, drinks and food.

The terraces, musical acts, staged performances and urban agriculture installations kicked off this year's launch of the garden.

Last year, the park underwent a massive overhaul by the Quartier des spectacles and closed for a month while the space was transformed.

Montrealers gather for drinks and food at the outdoor terrace at Jardins Gamelin. (Kalina Laframboise/CBC)

The idea was to make a rough public spot more welcoming for all Montrealers and tourists — and it appears to have paid off.

The park now includes wooden vegetable garden boxes, a patio with a restaurant, performance stages, a free-speech platform and new lawn chairs for the grassy areas.

The garden is open from May 12 to Oct. 2, with different activities throughout the entire summer.