Whether it is the parks present in the boroughs or the characteristic green spaces of L’Île-Bizard – Sainte-Geneviève, the West Island offers many spaces where citizens can go and recharge their batteries.
An advantage particularly appreciated by the inhabitants: “I love it, we have the impression of having a lot of space and of breathing”, says the general director of the Center des Femmes de l’Ouest-de-l’Île and Pointe-Claire resident Sarah Ford. The environment is important in Pointe-Claire, “we have this great place called the Terra-Cotta Natural Park where there is a forest, we can exercise or go for a walk,” he continues. it. Many Pointe-Clairais say they feel lucky to live near Lac Saint-Louis.
Pointe-Claire is also a city steeped in history. There are seasonal cottages, built on the 19e century, to meet the massive influx of summer vacationers. They will subsequently become permanent residences. Loving to polish her general knowledge of history, Isabelle Dallaire recounts the origin of the Pointe-Claire appellation, named for its point of land in Lake Saint-Louis. She is also an observer of the architecture of old houses and streets, which give a unique charm to the village of Pointe-Claire.
Susan Weaver lives in the veterans sector. It was created by the federal government in order to allow WWII veterans to purchase lots of land with houses. It was Ms. Weaver who submitted the description of this place to the organization Héritage Montréal, also defending the need to preserve this place from demolitions.
New infrastructures
The construction of modern real estate is giving the West Island a new face, raising concerns and criticism. Diver Nathan Zsombor Murray mentions his father’s use of the term McMansions, to criticize the construction of large mass-produced housing. “Things are changing, you can see the houses change, people do work. The cottages are still there and I hope they will, ”explains Sarah Ford. The latter is convinced of this: “having access to green spaces and a clean space helps make the lives of citizens better.”
Pointe-Clairaise Nathalie Le Conte argues that in the West, residents have the impression that a “West Island downtown” is being created. She also mentions the role of the arrival of the Metropolitan Express Network (REM), a project that she finds important, but which is not without risk of distorting the West Island, according to her. “Many of us left downtown Montreal because we were looking for something else,” she says.
In Pierrefonds, student Félix Lavoie likes to take advantage of the parks in his borough, “among others the Bois-de-liesse park and the Cap Saint-Jacques nature park.” Over the years, he has seen his neighborhood change, as a lot of housing has developed due to the growing number of residents.
One borough still seems immune to these changes: L’Île-Bizard – Sainte-Geneviève. “The balance of being close enough to a city center, but keeping the serenity of forests and parks is great,” says Joshua Maheu. The territory obtained its humanized landscape status at the beginning of June 2021. Enough to protect the rural character of L’Île-Bizard, green spaces, biodiversity and agricultural land.
The places are also the theater of memories. The Stewart Hall art gallery occupies an important place in the life of Pointe-Clairaise Isabelle Dallaire. She learned pottery there, but she also celebrated her wedding here. Cooking enthusiast Randy Gibara remembers a sunset in a secret corner at Anse-à l’Orme nature park, which he watched with his late father.
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