Wakefield, Quebec
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Wakefield is a village on the western shore of the Gatineau River, in the Outaouais region of Quebec. The village, which is part of the municipality of La Pêche, was founded in 1830 by Irish, Scottish and English immigrants. It is approximately thirty minutes from Ottawa, Ontario driving north on Autoroute 5 and highway 105. During the summer a tourist steam train operates between Wakefield and Gatineau, Quebec.
The primary industry in the village is tourism. The main attractions, in addition to a picturesque setting, are the covered bridge spanning the Gatineau River and the recently restored MacLaren Mill. The village also provides an access point to Gatineau Park. Recreational activities in and around the village include horseback riding, skiing, dogsledding, golf, canoeing and kayaking.
The village has developed a reputation for a somewhat bohemian lifestyle and boasts a number of small cafes, pubs and galleries. Public buildings include a hospital, elementary school, police station and library. A weekly regional newspaper, the Low Down to Hull and Back News, is also published in the village.
Former Canadian prime minister Lester Pearson is buried at MacLaren Cemetery in Wakefield.
External link
Municipality of La Pêche (http://villelapeche.qc.ca/en/info.shtml)