Djeneba Dosso

LJI Reporter

Rain or shine and free of charge, once a week in July and August, children can enjoy inflatable structures, arts and crafts workshops, sports games and a mouth-watering BBQ. La Maison du Quartier de Notre-Dame has put together a loaded program this summer, offering Gatineau families entertainment every Thursday from 3:30 pm to 7 pm at John Luck Park. 

The MQND, whose mission is to “improve quality of life and recognize the full potential of residents,” believes this type of activity can help develop a sense of belonging and create solidarity among local families. 

This second year of programming was made possible through the support of the City of Gatineau and the Comité de Vie de Quartier du Vieux-Gatineau. This year, the Gatineau Library has hopped onboard and will be donating lightly used books to the children. Additionally, a storyteller will also be in attendance each week, reading children’s books from 4 pm to 5:30 pm. 

The activities available will vary each week, including but not limited to, gymnastics, soccer, scavenger hunts and musical chairs. Free activities are also available for older kids aged 11 to 17 each Monday from 10 am to 3:30 pm, where they’ll put their own spin on art projects found on the platform TikTok. 

On August 22, the last day of programming, activities will be extended until 8 pm and closed-off with an open-air cinema for all attendees to enjoy. 

A full list of the activities offered each week is available on MQND’s Facebook page.  

Photo caption

Photo #1: Each Thursday in July and August, La Maison du Quartier Notre-Dame will be putting on free activities for children and families to enjoy. The programming, put together in partnership with the City of Gatineau, the CVQ Vieux-Gatineau and the Gatineau Library, aims to create solidarity between local families. (DD) Photo: Djeneba Dosso