By Tracey Arial
www.arialview.ca
Potential development in and near Angrignon Park were among several things discussed during a presentation in Douglas Hall last Saturday.
“Conversations about the speed skating centre and the Angrignon Farm reopening are going well,” said Anne-Marie Sigouin, who sits on Montreal’s executive committee. “I can’t say much more than that.”
Prior to her election, Sigouin was a member of the “Anneau 4 saisons dans le parc Angrignon” Community Organisation, which has been lobbying for a four-season venue at the park. She’s since resigned from that group, but remains convinced that its aims would be good for all Montrealers, particularly those who live in Verdun, LaSalle and the Southwest boroughs.
Sigouin was one of several people who made comments about what they hope to see happen in and near Angrignon Park over the next few years during a presentation by the Friends of Angrignon Park at the end of their third annual family skiing and snowshoeing day.
More than 40 people skied or snow-shoed through Angrignon Park and the Douglas Institute greenspace to the shores of the Saint Lawrence River in Verdun and LaSalle. Douglas Hall, CEGEP André Laurendeau and the Knights of Columbus Hall were all open from 11:30 on so that participants could take a break in warm locations with toilets.
Historian Gilles Laberge spoke the longest, and had photos and information about how the Douglas Research Institute evolved from its beginnings as mental-health hospital set up by donations from English-speaking parish members to become a satellite of McGill University.
The local Nordic ski and snowshoeing club Naturafond also spoke, outlining how their weekly activities take place. Buses leave LaSalle, Lachine and Chateauguay every Sunday morning, at 7:30, 7:50 and 7:00 a.m., to take cross-country skiing and snowshoeing enthusiasts to places throughout Quebec. Members have first dibs on the spots in the bus until Wednesday, but non-members can join in as of Thursday. Remaining trips this year will go to Mount Orford on March 1 and a mystery destination on March 8. For more information, check out their website at www.naturafond.ca.
The event also included presentations from Heritage Laurentian naturalists, who highlighted the many species living in the region.
Partners included the Douglas Research Institute, CEGEP André Laurendeau, the Club Aquatique du Sud-Ouest (CASO), Heritage Laurentian, the Knights of Columbus and the Committee for the Protection of the Natural and Built Heritage of the Desmarchais-Crawford District.
For more information, email the friends at lesamisparcangrignon@gmail.comor visit their Facebook page at Les amis du parc Angrignon.