Municipal park access restricted indefinitely

The city of Gatineau’s Executive Committee has effectively put a halt on municipal park usage for the foreseeable future.

On March 26, access to play structures (swing-sets included), sports fields and skate parks, across the city, was barred until further notice. Altogether, the city has 364 parks, 365 playgrounds and 1,017 swing-sets.

Other parts of parks are still open to the public for walking dogs, strolling about and running. But citizens must adhere to the provincial government’s recommended social distancing measures – no gatherings and maintaining a two-metre distance from others.

Citizens are advised not to make contact with park benches, picnic tables and other outdoor furniture.

The Jardins-Lavigne Dog Park, among other dog exercise spaces will also be closed indefinitely. The only dog parks in the city that will remain open will be the ones at Parc de la Technologie in Hull, as well as Parc Lamarch and Parc du Lac-Beauchamp in Gatineau. All dogs must be leashed.

The city will deploy staff to monitor parks to ensure that people follow the rules. In addition, signs will be displayed to notify people of the portions of parks that are off-limits. The city intends to continue to increase public awareness about the new guidelines.