Letícia Furtado started surfing in Brazil when she was 18, and some four decades later, she can be found every day from June to September near Montreal’s Dieppe Park, riding a standing wave behind Habitat 67.
“I think the park is lovely and as anything that is built for the citizens, it should be maintained very regularly,” said Furtado of the park, which she says has fallen into disrepair.
“I started surfing in the river in 2017 and I never saw anything done there.”
The park juts out into the St. Lawrence River, with a brown gazebo perched on its grassy, tree-lined point just in front of the Old Port. It offers picturesque views of the city and the Jacques Cartier Bridge, attracting crowds to watch the fireworks every summer.
It’s also a well-known fishing spot for anglers seeking everything from walleye to sturgeon. There are picnic tables under a thick canopy of trees along the narrow, man-made peninsula that acts as a breakwater.
But, as Furtado said, it’s been years since she’s seen any upkeep there. And even though the city claims there are bathrooms on site, she doesn’t remember them ever being open.
Dieppe Park can be clearly seen from the Old Port. More fencing has been added since this photo was taken three years ago, restricting access to the water’s edge. (Dave St-Amant/CBC)
Meanwhile, chain-link fencing surrounds much of the park, keeping people away from the deteriorating retaining wall that has long been in shambles, with sections falling into the strong currents.
The city has a plan to replace the retaining wall and give the park a makeover, but the three-year project won’t start any time soon.
Repairing aging infrastructure
The $35-million project, tentatively scheduled for 2029 and expected to run until roughly 2031, will also include environmental compensation measures and repairs to the park’s aging infrastructure, according to Montreal spokesperson Gonzalo Nuñez.
The city will cover the cost, though further assessments are needed before the final estimate and timeline are confirmed.
The gabion retaining wall, which runs along the park’s western shore and northern tip, has exceeded its useful life, he said. Rather than conventional riverbank erosion, the problem stems primarily from the deterioration of the wall itself.
Fencing and warning signs are in place to prevent people from accessing the water’s edge at Dieppe Park, but visitors and fishermen regularly ignore the barriers. (Isaac Olson/CBC)
Nuñez said the wall cannot be reinforced in a way that would provide a lasting solution. A cost-benefit study comparing replacement options is expected to begin in the coming weeks as part of a broader rehabilitation project for the park.
For now, while sections of a walkway have washed away, Nuñez said the rest of the park is not at risk in the medium term. Fencing and other safety measures are currently in place to prevent people from accessing the river’s edge while allowing the public to continue using the rest of the park.
Officials are reminding visitors to respect warning signs and safety barriers.
Fencing not stopping fishers
But Phil Lumbroso, who has been casting lines at the park for some 20 years, said fishermen are so determined to access the water that they keep hopping the barriers.
“It’s a very popular spot,” Lumbroso said, noting he rides his bike to the area, fishing from Dieppe Park and then dropping a line in the channels along Saint Helen’s and Notre Dame islands.
“I can hit a bunch of spots all around on my bike and not have to worry about parking.”
Patrice Beaulé still has memories of fishing there as a kid. The South Shore resident said he works in an office and his trips to the park are a breath of fresh air and a chance to partake in his favourite pastime close to home. He also says the fencing hasn’t been stopping people from fishing, he said.
“It’s my little corner of paradise, my little therapy corner, if I can say that — a place to disconnect from the city,” he said.
“What brings us there isn’t the broken toilets. It’s the scenery, the water and being able to share the same passion with other people … If Park Dieppe hadn’t existed, I might not have developed my passion or my friendships for this sport as much.”
Timeline hinges on authorizations
But Beaulé says he’s disappointed by the condition of the park.
“It’s a shame. We want safety and we want to share what we love. This place can provide both of those things, but right now, the safety just isn’t there,” he said.
Dieppe Park has walking and cycling paths woven through grassy, tree-lined green space. (Isaac Olson/CBC)
Nuñez, the city’s spokesperson, said the project’s timeline will depend heavily on obtaining the necessary environmental authorizations.
The city says the project is not subject to a formal environmental impact assessment because of its scope. However, it will still be responsible for minimizing the environmental effects of the work, obtaining all required ministerial authorizations and complying with Quebec’s Environment Quality Act.
“The redevelopment of the park will restore access to the waterfront area, replace the park’s aging infrastructure and showcase the site’s considerable potential, which offers incomparable views of the city, the river and the islands,” said Nuñez.
Aurélie de Blois, a spokesperson for Tourisme Montréal, said the park “is one of the places that allows visitors to experience Montreal from a different perspective.”
She said public spaces and access to the waterfront are an important part of the city’s tourism scene, but safety comes first when it comes to accessing the water’s edge.
