LETTER

LETTRE

   Eardley Elementary Footpath

 

I call on Aylmer residents to formally object to the imminent closure of a well-established footpath that allows the public to walk along the length of the east section of the Eardley Elementary School property. A public right of access has been established (implied easement) based on twenty plus years of actual, continuous, uninterrupted, open, and peaceful use of the land at any time without objection by the owner (doctrine of lost grant), the Western Quebec School Board.
    Noticeably, users treat the footpath and surroundings with respect including dog owners who keep their pets on a lead and pick up after them. There is plenty of evidence that contact with nature is good for our mental and physical health. The footpath is an immediate, short, quiet, tree-lined green space that obviates the need to use the car and truck traffic along boul. Wilfrid-Lavigne and thus avoid the loud engine noise and air polluting exhaust fumes.
    The footpath is distinguishable and extends from the east entrance to Eardley Elementary at 180 North Street (point A), south past the Gatineau Jardin collectif North to just south of the Caserne Roland-Guertin at 425 boul. Wilfrid-Lavigne (point B). Anyone wishing to stop the closure should petition the Western Quebec School Board and the city of Gatineau.
D. Solimka
Aylmer