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Because History repeats itself...
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Sites emblématiques menacés - 2006
The Lakeshore and its landscapes
West Island of Montreal
Architectural and Landscape Value
Montreal’s Urban Plan recognized the importance of the waterfront landscapes and panoramas of Lake St-Louis, Lake of Two Mountains and Rivière des Prairies. Their significance is due to the presence of large properties and of canopies of mature trees, as well as the architectural quality of the homes and public buildings lining the waterfront and along Lakeshore Drive and Gouin Boulevard. In addition, early use of the waterways by First Nations peoples, and subsequently by French fur traders explains the strong archeological potential of the waterfront. A great many buildings, village settlements and institutional properties line the waterfront. They are reminders of the area’s different uses, from the initial agricultural, commercial and academic uses to the Post-War era of the health sector.
Historic Value
The use of the Saint-Lawrence River, its lakes and tributary streams for transportation is very old, as is the enjoyment of the waterfront for pleasure. Specific sites are associated with, First Nation settlements, the fur trade, the summer stays of great Montreal families, and recreational activities such as golf, water sports and shooting the rapids. In addition, place names such as Senneville, Baie D’Urfé, Beaconsfield and Pointe Picard commemorate people, families and events of different eras.
The Threat
Construction of monster houses — grandiose if architecturally banal mansions — along Lake Saint Louis has caused the loss of an exceptional landscape. Indifference on the part of several municipalities and a lack of effective regulation has meant the demolition of houses and other structures, as well as heritage stone walls and landscaping. The subdivision of waterfront properties has meant the loss of stands of trees and major gardens. This has resulted in a perceptible reduction in the river landscape and public visual access to Lake Saint Louis, one of the distinctive elements of the island of Montreal.
Initiatives of Héritage Montréal
Since the 1980s, Héritage Montréal has been collaborating with local authorities and heritage groups to underline the significance of this element of the heritage and character of the West Island. For example, we sought protection for the Domaine Forget in Senneville and helped in the architectural inventory of Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue. In 2003, Héritage Montréal participated in the public hearings on the Urban Plan to support measures to recognize and protect riverfront landscapes. More recently, the organisation made known our concerns on certain subdivision projects by contacting directly Dorval and Pointe-Claire municipal decision-makers, and remains in close contact with West Island heritage groups.
To help safeguard this site, write to us.
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