Not all Verdun parks close at 9:00 pm

First, it must be pointed out that not all green spaces and parks in Verdun are closed between 9:00 pm and 7 am the next day. In fact all of the shores along the river are accessible to the public at all times. These green spaces are not necessarily parks the way we know them, but they are immense areas nevertheless wherein everyone – old and young alike – can take a walk and relax 24 hours a day.

Also in L'Île-des-Sœurs, West Vancouver and Adrien-D.-Archambault parks remain open at all times. In the mainland, Arthur-Therrien Park East is also accessible at all times of the day.

Mayor Claude Trudel has confirmed several times that police officers are responsible for applying this regulation for closing hours with a lot of discretion. The desire is to prevent some groups of people from abusing the use of park facilities and who disturb the peace of neighbouring areas by playing loud music or engaging in some form of hell raising at the end of the evening or during very late hours at night. The regulation providing for officers to intervene in disruptive situations was adopted in 2004 and was implemented at the request of residents who complained to officials.

The provisions of the regulation are quite precise. They stipulate that people are not allowed to enter or remain in a park, green space or the St. Paul forest between 9 pm and 7 am, unless an organised sporting activity is planned and is authorised by the City. Excluded from this regulation are the parks and green spaces that are open 24/7: Arthur-Therrien Park, West Vancouver Park, Adrien-D.-Archambault Park, the shore lands of the St. Lawrence River and the shore lands of the Aqueduct Canal.

Cars, motorcycles, motorised cycles, ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) and snowmobiles are strictly prohibited in parks and green spaces at all times. Golf is not allowed, nor is skateboarding, except in places where these activities are specifically allowed. Note that riding bikes or roller skating are also not allowed unless these activities are done on designated bike paths.

Anyone who disobeys the regulation will be subject to a notice of violation and to a fine ranging from $100.00 to $1,000 for a first offense; $200.00 to $2,000 for a repeat offense committed within a two-year period from the date of the first notice of violation. It should also be borne in mind that these fines are two times higher for corporate entities that violate the regulation.

As of press time, Le Magazine could not obtain more details on the number of violation notices that have been issued as a result of disobeying closing hours of parks. To-date only one resident appeared in City Hall to call the attention of officials to this issue.