LETTER

Open Gatineau Park -- for public health 

The closure and re-open strategy for walking trails in Gatineau Park actually places human health at risk. While I appreciate the need for social distancing and proactive measures by authorities to enforce these, I cannot fathom the reasoning behind closing the Park. 

Gatineau Park is an enormous forest! Nature is exactly what people experiencing stress need -- to stay sane. Relative risk of contagion is extremely low, and the ability for people to keep away from one another is very high.

Throughout the lockdown, I could, if I wanted, every day park inches from other cars and go into the small, enclosed space of a liquor store. Yet, somehow, they want me to believe that it’s extremely dangerous to park near a trail and go for a walk? 

Controls without merit eventually push people into widespread non-compliance, even where caution ought to continue to be exercised. Restrictions on our liberties and ability to care for ourselves physically and psychologically have to make sense. The pandemic-management practices concerning Gatineau Park do not.

Tape off picnic and other gathering areas if necessary, but (please!) make the Park accessible to us city dwellers who have been locked down in concrete.  Nature is essential to human health.

Louise Blais

Aylmer