Verdun’s plan for a pump track in Nuns’ Island faces pushback

Nuns' Island residents are divided about a proposed pumptrack that is proposed to replace a green space.

A plan to build a pump track park in Nuns’ Island, where children can ride bikes, scooters and skateboards, is drawing backlash from some residents, while others say it would encourage outdoor activity.

“It’s growing in terms of popularity. There are many cities that have installed that type of equipment as well,” said Sonya Bacon, a Nuns’ Island resident who supports the project.

“I mean, it’s one of the most [pieces of] successful sports equipment in recent years in Quebec and everywhere around the world.”

However, the current plan would see the park built over a green space in the neighborhood.

“People move to Nuns’ Island because they like to be close to the city, but they like being out here in nature, and by asphalting this area where it’s going to be the equivalent of basically a parking lot of 35 cars,” said resident Christopher Briere, who is against the project.

The debate over the project led to months of arguments at the Verdun borough council. But proponents of the project say it is the only city-owned vacant land available.

Some homeowners say they fear their quality of life will be affected.

“They battle closer to the forest, closer to the residents here that have their homes, and when these people bought their homes, they had a reasonable expectation to be living close to nature with a certain amount of quiet. The pump track is literally going to end 30 metres from their backyard,” Briere added.

In a statement to CTV News, the Verdun borough says construction will begin in late summer but it’s currently waiting for an authorization from the Quebec Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks.