Cartier Park in Ste. Agathe is gearing up for a major expansion and rejuvenation in the coming years. Christie de Rocquigny, a member of the Ste. Agathe Community Development Inc., says that a committee has been formed to spearhead the exciting new initiative.
The park is already a well-used and well-loved feature in Ste. Agathe. According to de Rocquigny, the biggest draw right now is the picnic shelter, which is regularly rented out for family reunions, corporate events, and even weddings. The campsites and ball diamonds are also quite popular, as are the cross-country skiing trails which are kept groomed by the municipality.
None of those features are going anywhere, but the community can look forward to a host of new ones.
Along with its new look, the park will get a name change. Soon it will be called Cheyenne Park, a name that de Rocquigny says has special relevance to the community.
“Cheyenne Summer Fest is the name of our annual community event, which is held in the park,” she says. “The name also refers to the SS Cheyenne, which was a nineteenth-century Red River steamboat, and the boiler from that boat is displayed in town. We also felt that this would help tie in with the boat launch and dock project that is currently underway in town as well.”
De Rocquigny says that her committee has been working on the park’s master plan for nearly two years. The plan has three goals: to increase usage of the park by the community and visitors, to meet the recreational wants and needs of the community, and to be fiscally sustainable.
There is no set timeline for the project right now, but it will be a multi-phased plan that plays out over several years. At this time, the committee is establishing what their priorities will be. New bathrooms and showers are already scheduled for 2021, as are some upgrades to the baseball diamonds.
One of the more unique features planned for the park are “glamping” spots. Glamping, or glamourous camping, is a fun trend that may appeal to those who don’t have campers or tents. The six glamping spots will be permanent structures, similar to the yurts that can be found in some provincial parks.
According to de Rocquigny, a new water feature may also be in the works.
“Since we moved to Ste. Agathe in 2006, it seemed as though the idea of a water feature was always floating around,” she says. “I feel like this might be what everyone is the most excited about.”
A beach, a dock, and a fountain are all part of the master plan, which would provide a venue for naturalized swimming.
Other features which can seen on the proposed master plan include seasonal RV sites, pull-through sites, a group camping area, a playground, laundry facilities and washrooms, outdoor showers, a three-season event centre, expanded parking, and a BBQ shelter with fire lounge.
The nautically themed playground will include a boat play structure, a rubberized walking path, steppers, a learning wall, swings, and locally sourced boulders and logs.
The next step will be to form a fundraising committee to see what kind of grants and fundraisers are possible to help pave the way forward.
“We have a very supportive community with some of the best volunteers around,” adds de Rocquigny. “So anything is possible!”
