“It’s sad to see. This deterioration of the places noted by several citizens is a recurring subject in almost all our assemblies, ”reports the president of the Saint-Roch district council, Thomas Brady, in an interview with Soleil.
In citizen groups on social networks, the appearance of the Jean-Paul-lier garden also talks about it. By dozens, neighbors and other residents of the sector do not fail to underline the “degradation” or even the “abandonment” of the large urban park by the city of Quebec.
Some go so far as to say that the state of this green space in the heart of Basse-Ville has become “distressing” over the past few years.
The “oasis” of relaxation and greenery that they used to frequent was transformed into “ugly and infrequent place” and “impracticable campsite”, it is called, in reference to the strong presence of homeless people gathered under the roof of the scene of the Place de l’Université-du-Québec.
But not only.
Since spring, La Fontaine with Cascade, a must -have of the vast urban park, has been out of service.
All around, cracked and crumbled concrete slabs attract the eye, as well as the furniture sometimes broken and the graffiti which punctuate here and there the decor. Lighting problems, the “poorly maintained” lawn and the alleys of bald flowers are also among the elements cited as proof of a certain decline in the formerly baptized park baptized by Saint-Roch.
“We are aware of the concerns about the park. His condition does not provide a feeling of welcome. The occasional problems here and there, the challenges of cohabitation and consumption waste means that people want to go there, ”observes Thomas Brady.
While waiting for the tram
Aware of the appearance of the Jean-Paul-L’Allier park, the Quebec City denies itself, however, letting it be waved.
“We do not sacrifice any place. It remains a public place of importance at the heart of the district, but which remains accessible to all, “explains the spokesperson François Moisan.
For the waterfall, you should not expect to see it again this summer.
Certain equipment that composes it, in place since the park more than 30 years ago, have reached their useful end of life.
“The fall control system is broken and this will involve a large investment to replace it. The teams are on the planning and budgeting of the coming intervention, which is likely to be of age, “replied the municipal councilor in the sector, Pierre-Luc Lachance, to questions from citizens on Facebook in recent days.
To repair it and replace the necessary parts, the city figures that investments of at least two to three million dollars will be necessary.
But not immediately.
Due to the “cost still very high” to redo the waterfall, Quebec “assesses its options” in a more global framework.
With major work to come for the tram on rue de la Couronne, the city intends to analyze the whole quadrilateral.
“The park can be considered throughout the redevelopment of the sector. We are looking at the full repair, namely if there will be things to change, ”explains the municipal spokesperson.
Everything will be done in the “next years”, but the fountain could still be put into service before, plans François Moisan.
Safety and cleaning
In addition, work on plantations is “the same” that is done each year, he says. “There may have been damage, but regular follow-up is done.”
In terms of security, Quebec City says it is “always present” in the Jean-Paul-lierier garden. A security guard ensures monitoring of the premises.
Similarly, “since this year at least, there is a team with public works dedicated to cleaning the hot places of Saint-Roch seven days a week,” adds Pierre-Luc Lachance, municipal councilor of Saint-Roch-Saint-Sauveur.
“We have increased and public works spend once a day between 5 a.m. and 1 p.m. to increase cleanliness,” said Moisan.
“Effervescence” to find
The Saint-Roch district council intends to look at the garden file and formulate its recommendations to Quebec City as soon as the holidays return.
“There is a potential to make him find his color of yesteryear and his effervescence,” said President Thomas Brady.
Created in 1993 and appointed in honor of its founder, the garden also aimed, at the time, to “embellish” Saint-Roch and to “promote better quality of life”.
With the priority of the revitalization of the district, the former mayor Jean-Paul L’Allier had made this garden arrange during his first mandate, which gave the metamorphosis of an entire district.