What is the 'Grand parc de l'Est?' Montreal unveils large east-end park project
A large swath of land in Montreal's east end will become a protected park space, the city announced Sunday.
The new park, officially called "le Grand parc de l'Est," will encompass just under 700 hectares, about three times the size of Mount Royal Park.
"By setting up this large park, we are giving ourselves the means to preserve and enhance natural environments for the benefit of east-end residents and the entire island," Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante said in a press release originally published in French.
She said the park will protect biodiversity, provide accessible green space, and create "buffer zones" between businesses and residences.
With the park's boundaries established, the city could move to acquire the land inside of it, which is made up of public, private, and institutional property.
(Source: City of Montreal)
A CAMPAIGN PROMISE
Plante campaigned on creating an ample east-end green space leading up to her reelection in 2021.
"Distribution of green spaces in Montreal has never been equitable on the east side," Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve Borough Mayor Pierre Lessard-Blais said at the time.
The east-end park is, in-part, a sister project to "le Grand parc de l'Ouest" -- another park plan in the West Island slated for 2030.
That project is significantly larger, encompassing 3,000 hectares, compared to the 700 reserved for the Grand parc de l'Est. If completed, it could be Canada's largest municipal park.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Helicopter carrying Iran's president found by rescue teams: Iran official
Rescuers on Monday found a helicopter that was carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, which had crashed in the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran the day before.
Court eases internet restrictions for Sask. man who matched with a 15-year-old girl on Tinder
A Saskatchewan man who had a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old girl he met on Tinder successfully appealed to shorten release conditions barring him from online dating.
Stittsville residents seeking answers as bylaw cracks down on street basketball nets
Stittsville residents on Kearnsley Way are seeking answers after an unusual bylaw crackdown on Friday. Every home with a basketball net received a ticket instructing homeowners to remove their nets from the road.
'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
What do we know so far about the mysterious crash of the helicopter carrying Iran's president?
The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday sent shock waves around the region.
Ex-partner charged with first-degree murder after 55-year-old woman killed in Montreal
Less than 24 hours after Montreal's 12th homicide investigation began, Montreal police confirmed that a 55-year-old woman's death in St. Michel is the island's 13th homicide. The woman's ex-spouse has been charged with first-degree murder.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
Toxic drugs circulating in northeastern Ont., police say
Canada’s largest First Nations police service, the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service issued a community safety alert as extremely toxic drugs are likely circulating in many of the communities it serves.