NDG residents say Montreal can't shut down access to park
A battle is brewing between the city and people who live around a popular wooded area in Montreal’s Notre-Dame-de-Grâce neighbourhood.
Montreal calls it a hazard, but community members say it’s a haven.
It’s a three-kilometre stretch of forest known as the Falaise St-Jacques – it’s beloved by the community and a dedicated team of volunteers. But they say the city wants them out.
“It’s very unfair. It’s pretty safe to go by there, you know,” says Jason Trudel.
This week, the city notified the neighbourhood the St-Jacques cliff would be closed due to safety concerns.
Back in August, heavy rains caused a landslide and after assessing the soil’s stability, the area was deemed dangerous.
However, one multi-use path remains unaffected, but a 1.5 kilometre trail was blocked off in several locations.
Sauvons la falaise coordinator Roger Jochym says the city has gone too far.
"People need that mental space that nature gives you to recharge their spirits," he says.
"It’s not dangerous, the city has overreacted."
Volunteers say the city is trying to prohibit access to the entire escarpment, putting up signs that community members have promptly taken down.
They say the city won’t keep them out.
Lisa Mintz, Urbanature’s education director, says the city can’t close access to the cliff.
"They just can’t. Too many people are using it now," she said.
When CTV News visited the area, some gates that were previously closed were opened by people enjoying the park.
Luiza Tino, a volunteer with Sauvons la falaise, said it makes no sense to close off the entire area because of the landslide.
"I don’t think that it’s justified, because there is one area at the end of those three kilometres affected. It’s about 100 meters," she said.
Advocates say they want the city to allow full access to the park with more warning signs in spots possibly prone to landslides during extreme weather events.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Donald Trump says he urged Wayne Gretzky to run for prime minister in Christmas visit
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump says he told Canadian hockey legend Wayne Gretzky he should run for prime minister during a Christmas visit but adds that the athlete declined interest in politics.
Ho! Ho! HOLY that's cold! Montreal boogie boarder in Santa suit hits St. Lawrence waters
Montreal body surfer Carlos Hebert-Plante boogie boards all year round, and donned a Santa Claus suit to hit the water on Christmas Day in -14 degree Celsius weather.
Historical mysteries solved by science in 2024
This year, scientists were able to pull back the curtain on mysteries surrounding figures across history, both known and unknown, to reveal more about their unique stories.
Montreal man dead after boat explodes in Fort Lauderdale
A Montreal man is dead and several others are injured after a boat exploded in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Mother-daughter duo pursuing university dreams at the same time
For one University of Windsor student, what is typically a chance to gain independence from her parents has become a chance to spend more time with her biggest cheerleader — her mom.
Azerbaijani airliner crashes in Kazakhstan, killing 38 with 29 survivors, officials say
An Azerbaijani airliner with 67 people onboard crashed Wednesday near the Kazakhstani city of Aktau, killing 38 people and leaving 29 survivors, a Kazakh official said.
King Charles III focuses Christmas message on healthcare workers in year marked by royal illnesses
King Charles III used his annual Christmas message Wednesday to hail the selflessness of those who have cared for him and the Princess of Wales this year, after both were diagnosed with cancer.
Alberta premier hopes for health reform payoff in 2025, regrets deferring tax cut
"It may have been better for Albertans if we'd implemented and then found a way to be able to pay for it."
NFL's Netflix debut on Christmas Day kicked off without a glitch
Mariah Carey opened Wednesday’s doubleheader with a taped performance of “All I Want for Christmas is You” before Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs faced off against Russell Wilson, T.J. Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers.