Bees that travel

Détails

ENVIRONMENT

Publication : 15 juin 2021

Par Julie Turgeon

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Six or seven years ago, a municipal council, made up of grade 6 students from various elementary schools in Town of Mount Royal, gave itself the mandate to change the town's regulations in order to allow the arrival of beehives on the territory.

To our knowledge, there is only one beehive in the community at this time, and it is located on the roof of Mont-Royal High School. PHOTO STATION MONT-ROYAL ARCHIVES

It was mission accomplished! A first beehive was then installed on the roof of the Town Hall at the time. Unfortunately, electric air conditioning machines disturbed the bees and they had to be moved to the roof of the Recreation Center. As the building was due to be demolished this year to make way for the new sports center, they were moved again last fall. Bees are now foraging at Montreal beekeeper Apiguru, awaiting their next destination. To our knowledge, there is only one beehive in the community at this time, and it is located on the roof of Mont-Royal High School. Beehives are permitted under certain conditions on City property, but remain prohibited on private land.

Urban agriculture, a meeting with Philippe Roy

Détails

ENVIRONMENT

Publication : 15 juin 2021

Par Julie Turgeon

Pour lire cet article en français, cliquez ici!

Until the early 1950s, there was still farmland, farmers and market gardeners in Town of Mount Royal. The famous Montreal melon has been cultivated here for a long time. Almost 70 years later, the idea of producing local produce in the garden city is coming back again. Decryption of the beginnings of the first urban agriculture policy, adopted last April, with Mayor Philippe Roy.

The famous Montreal melon has long been cultivated here in Town of Mount Royal. PHOTO COURTESY TOWN OF MOUNT ROYAL ARCHIVES

(MONT-ROYAL STATION) What changes can we observe with the start of this first urban agriculture policy in the community?

(PHILIPPE ROY) Firstly, our goal is to promote and encourage the cultivation of fruits and vegetables as much as possible. Before this policy was adopted, for example, it was not allowed to grow vegetables in the front yard of a house. It is now allowed! The City is also making its effort by introducing edible landscaping.

(SMR) Exactly, the City has different crops this year, such as herb plantations, edible flowers and vegetables in Wicksteed Park and Jubien Park, and other vegetables like sweet potatoes and kale all over the place. in the city. Are these gourmet flower beds self-service?

(PR) No, we are not (yet) inviting people to come and harvest. Our horticultural service will do the harvest. Depending on what will be harvested, either it will be distributed to residents or it will be donated to a food bank.

(SMR) There is a beautiful urban fauna in Town of Mount-Royal, including a lot of squirrels and rabbits. Could a citizen enclose his vegetable garden in front of his house to prevent rabbits from grazing on his plants, for example?

(PR) The question is interesting. I myself have placed chicken wire around my vegetable patch in my backyard and the animals seem less interested in it. But on the front of a house, there is a challenge. What could we replace the fences with, so that it looks good? This is a question we will ask ourselves. The goal of a policy is to adapt as you go along.

(SMR) What about having fruit trees in Ville Mont-Royal?

(PR) It would be a good idea to have them in the parks. We would have to see how we could do that with the people from our horticultural department, but we did not start this project this year.

(SMR) Do you think that Town of Mount-Royal could become a nourishing city in the long term?

(PR) Yes, anything is possible. There would be larger investments to be made and that would involve having closed greenhouses on flat roofs. In fact, we have several flat roofs in Town of Mount Royal that would lend themselves to this. However, this is not something that is envisaged in the short term, but it is a nice goal to set.

Note: The interview has been edited for brevity.

Community gardens, at full capacity

Détails

ENVIRONMENT

Publication : 15 juin 2021

Par Julie Turgeon

Pour lire cet article en français, cliquez ici!

The Town of Mount Royal community gardens, located on Brittany Avenue, near Rockland Road, reopened their doors last May. Once again this year, the excitement continues. There may even be more space available to fill the needs, to the fervor of registrations.

The concept of community gardens in the garden city, created over 40 years ago, is the initiative of a few members of the Town of Mount Royal Horticultural Society. . PHOTO JOURNAL STATION MONT-ROYAL ARCHIVES

The 49 spaces available in the collective vegetable garden are, once again, all occupied in 2021. This was also the case last year. Even they have been at full capacity for several years. “I can't remember a year when they weren't full,” said City manager of community gardens Mike Iurascu.

Those who manage to get hold of a bundle are former members first, who get priority. But then it's first come, first served.

According to information provided by the City, about ten people have failed to obtain a space this year. This is the same scenario as last year. For a person who would like to reserve his place for 2022: impossible. "There is no waiting list for the following year," Iurascu said.

An uncertain future
Town of Mount Royal community gardens have made headlines in recent years. The City wanted to move them, at one point, to leave the field open for the construction of a retirement home for Groupe Maurice. But the project was aborted.

The particular town planning program for the Rockland sector, which outlines the main lines of the redevelopment of this district, has, however, put the dossier on the current location of the collective gardens back on the table. However, no one yet really knows what future we have in store for said gardens.