Jardins d’Iberville: a project for biodiversity mobilizes elders from Rosemont

“It is our little garden of happiness,” exclaims Francine Giroux, delighted. By a hot morning in July, it is busy with a dozen other volunteers in the Gardens of Iberville, in the Rosemont-Little-Patrie district of Montreal.

A few dozen people living in the elder residence (RPA) Rosemont The districts had the idea four years ago to transform an unused land of land belonging to the city of Montreal, located behind the buildings.

It was wasteland, the low walls were not white, there were graffiti everywhere. There was absolutely nothing hereexplains one of the officials, Sylvie Renaud. The people here have mobilized and decided to make it a beautiful little haven of peaceshe adds, an undeniable pride in the voice.

Pride is the feeling that inevitably manifests itself when the volunteers evoke their Gardens, which they take care of as the apple of their eyes. They have planted dozens of plants and flowers on four small terrains, which are divided by colors. Two new terrains should be set up during the summer. The peaceful atmosphere which reigns there contrast with the noisy rue d’Iberville, located below.

What was initially a project led by a few motivated people quickly increased: initially founded thanks to a subsidy of $ 4,000 from the Rosemont district-the Petite-Patrie, the gardens were certified by the Espace pour la vie, last year. The dozens of volunteers, aged 70 to 90, organize events there and meet one morning per week to take care of plants.

Symbol of pride

For many residents, the Iberville gardens represent much more than gardening. You don’t feel alone. When you work the land, it’s pure happinessexplains Agathe Forest, one of the officials. My spouse died two years ago. This is also why I embarked. It did something else to do. It feels good to be surrounded by friends to take care of flowers, and especially to see the visitors so happy.

For Andrée Tremblay, the painter of three of the paintings that decorate the gardens, the project was an opportunity to reconnect with her passion for painting. It woke up the creative spirit. When I was asked, I nodded and I left with my spirit of creationshe explains, joyful but humble, designating her paintings representing large flowers.

The project is accompanied by an explanatory video in the history of the Rosemont district and the creation of gardens, in addition to an interactive tool which allows more information on the varieties of plants that can be found there. Those who launched these audiovisual productions, Pierrette Petit and Martin Tremblay, called on dozens of residents to participate in the project.

The majority of people who have been asked for are valued because they can use their talent, it gives them importance, explains Mr. Tremblay. It is not because we are retired that we are no longer good for anything, that we have nothing more to do.

People were touched, happy and proudadds Ms. Petit. The video was even presented in the projection room of the RPA A few weeks before: We had standing ovations, some residents were cryingshe recalls with emotion.

The Director General of RPAAngela Minicucci, also sees the project of a good eye. When families visit, the feeling of belonging enriched even more. The residents say: “I’m going to show you our gardens” and go to the courtyard at the back. It is unifying, since they can meet and chat in the garden.

Volunteers dream big for their gardens and hope to meet as many visitors as possible during the summer.