JOSHUA ALLAN
The 1510 West

Pierrefonds-Roxboro residents upset about the surprise planting of hundreds of trees in a local park used as a community gathering space say they still have not received any answers from Montreal city councillors.

Again this month, residents of Riviera St. in Pierrefonds sought answers to questions as to why in July more than 500 trees and 250 shrubs were planted in the Parc-des-Rapides-du-Cheval-Blanc – a green space bordering Rivière des Prairies that is popular among locals of all ages for outdoor activities.

The planting was done by infrastructure company NouvLR on behalf of the firm behind the REM transit train line, as part of an initiative to offset the environmental impacts of the construction of the rail network.

If left as it is, the once open green space will be transformed into a small forest in a few years, robbing locals of communal gathering space, as well as blocking the view of the river for the surrounding apartment buildings.

No consultations were held locals prior to the planting. Officials from the borough of Pierrefonds-Roxboro also say they were blindsided by the planting.

Cookie-cutter answers

Last month, resident D.J. El-Tayar had told The 1510 West that she looked forward to speaking to Montreal executive committee Laurence Lavigne Lalonde, who is responsible for major parks.

However, El-Tayar and other residents in attendance were disappointed to learn that Lavigne Lalonde was not at the meeting, and that their questions would be addressed instead by Ville Marie Councillor Sophie Mauzerolle, head of transport and mobility.

Both El-Tayar and fellow Riviera St. resident Lise Trudel asked why the city had not required the REM to consult with citizens prior to the planting. They also requested to have most of these trees removed and planted elsewhere in Pierrefonds.

In her response to each question, Mauzerolle pointed out the role that tree planting plays in combating climate change and boosting “resilience” to the territory in instances of flooding. She also blamed a lack of communication with the residents on the REM and NouvLR.

Her answers left the residents unsatisfied.

Disconnected from community

In an email to The 1510 West, resident Olga Mora described Mauzerolle’s responses as “well-rehearsed” and “scripted.”

She added Mauzerolle failed to adequately address concerns.

For Trudel, a resident of Riviera St. since 2008, it was clear that neither she, nor the REM were aware of what the park meant to the local community.

Trudel explained that the park was used by locals for everything from having barbecues, to outdoor games, to reading a book in a lawn chair.

“It’s been used for decades as a municipal park,” she said in an interview. “Why would you wipe it out?”

El-Tayar and Trudel were adamant that the concerned residents are not against the REM’s reforestation efforts, and do not wish to be painted as being “anti-tree.”

Indeed, each time the group has spoken to the media or to municipal officials, they have recommended that the majority of the trees in the park be replanted elsewhere in Pierrefonds, even offering possible replacement locations.

Pierrefonds-Roxboro Mayor Jim Beis has been vocal in his support for the residents. He made it clear during the August meeting – and again earlier this month – that the borough had not been informed of when the planting would take place, nor how many trees were to be planted.

“Although we believe strongly in biodiversity and planting of trees,” he told the council, “the borough was never informed of the gravity of this plantation, to the point where we received the plan a month and a half after the planting was put in place.”

The residents confirmed that Beis has kept in contact and has been “extremely supportive” of the group. El-Tayar said that Beis and other borough councillors have encouraged the group to continue to press Montreal on this issue.

The group launched a phone-in petition last month, denouncing the planting of the trees.

Though the residents said they are frustrated with the situation, they are not planning to give up their park so easily. While they discuss next steps, they will be “peppering” Lavigne Lalonde with emails, Trudel confirmed.