The park area on the island's southern tip has a small lake with a beach open throughout the summer for swimming, volleyball and watercraft rentals.

[4] In 1980, the greening and beautification of the island was accelerated when it was the host to the Floralies Internationales, a horticultural exhibition and competition gathering plant masterpieces from dozens of countries.

In addition, the micro-climate created in part by the lagoons crisscrossing the island promotes the uniqueness of these gardens by allowing plants usually intolerant of Montreal's cold climate to grow.

In fall and spring, visitors to Notre Dame Island primarily consist of gamblers at the casino and rowers and canoers at the Olympic Basin.

City workers clear the snow from its icy surface as part of the annual winter festival, "La Fête des Neiges de Montréal".