A wonderful party for the inauguration of Jacques-Gagné Park!

A Taste of Summer

In tropical heat, nearly 300 people gathered at Jacques-Gagné Park. Starting at 4 p.m., young and old alike came to enjoy the new amenities as well as access to the river, which was greatly appreciated in this very hot weather. The park quickly filled up as children from the community-based daycare service and the Sutton School daycare arrived. There was plenty of joy and fun to be shared!

A Festive Picnic

A free meal was provided. This delicious, festive picnic consisted of sandwiches and salads served by Auberge Sutton Brouërie. The organization Village-Famille Sutton was also on site to serve refreshing lemonades, which were a big hit.

In addition to exploring the new play areas, participants were also able to enjoy some downtime by taking part in a craft activity led by CAB Sutton, in the shade of the gazebo.

An important addition to our local infrastructure

Mayor Robert Benoît, Town Director General Jonathan Fortin, and the Director of the Recreation, Community Life, and Culture Department Élizabeth Deit spoke briefly to express the Town’s pride, noting in particular:

• The immense contribution to the project by the Advisory Committee on Quality of Life, which conducted public consultations on the park’s development with 165 people. The committee members demonstrated the richness and power of citizen engagement;
• A concrete example of collaboration among Town departments: the Public Works and Fixed Assets Department and the Recreation, Community Life and Culture Department worked together, with support from the General Administration, to design, plan, and realize this project. Furthermore, having the work carried out in-house by municipal crews resulted in significant cost savings compared to the budget initially allocated for this project;
• The special attention to detail—including universal accessibility, intergenerational design, color choices, and material selections—makes this a welcoming and community-oriented space. The outdoor furniture, the path running through the park, the gazebo, and the wooden walkway leading to the river are all accessible to people with limited mobility. The addition of coloring designs on the concrete slabs in front of the benches creates intergenerational spaces that encourage interaction and conversation. The color yellow, which is visible right at the park’s entrance and is echoed in the rest of the furnishings, makes the space cheerful and welcoming. The use of wood gives the park a natural look that blends perfectly with its surroundings;
• The contribution oflocal expertise, which also strengthens the sense of belonging to this park. Ilana Cantin, a landscape architect, developed the design concept, perfectly addressing the key needs expressed during public consultations. Patrick Morency, a visual artist, designed the magnificent sign at the park’s entrance, which blends seamlessly with the rest of the design through its materials and color. Kuizin Studio, a graphic design firm, created the coloring tiles, which are a much-appreciated addition to the park, especially by children.

A Park for the Future

The opening of Jacques-Gagné Park marked not only the conclusion but also the success of a project that was carefully planned as a community effort from start to finish. The Town of Sutton is proud of this addition to its municipal infrastructure and encourages all Sutton residents to come explore their new park this summer!