Redevelopment of Gagné Park

Last Thursday, June 11, Sutton residents of all ages came out to celebrate the completion of the renovations at Jacques-Gagné Park and explore the revitalized space in a truly festive atmosphere. Here is a look back at this community event.

A Taste of Summer

In tropical heat, nearly 300 people gathered at Jacques-Gagné Park. Starting at 4 p.m., young and old alike came to enjoy the new amenities as well as access to the river, which was greatly appreciated in this very hot weather. The park quickly filled up as children from the community-based daycare service and the Sutton School daycare arrived. There was plenty of joy and fun to be shared!

A Festive Picnic

A free meal was provided. This delicious, festive picnic consisted of sandwiches and salads served by Auberge Sutton Brouërie. The organization Village-Famille Sutton was also on site to serve refreshing lemonades, which were a big hit.

In addition to exploring the new play areas, participants were also able to enjoy some downtime by taking part in a craft activity led by CAB Sutton, in the shade of the gazebo.

An important addition to our local infrastructure

Mayor Robert Benoît, Town Director General Jonathan Fortin, and the Director of the Recreation, Community Life, and Culture Department Élizabeth Deit spoke briefly to express the Town’s pride, noting in particular:

• The immense contribution to the project by the Advisory Committee on Quality of Life, which conducted public consultations on the park’s development with 165 people. The committee members demonstrated the richness and power of citizen engagement;
• A concrete example of collaboration among Town departments: the Public Works and Fixed Assets Department and the Recreation, Community Life and Culture Department worked together, with support from the General Administration, to design, plan, and realize this project. Furthermore, having the work carried out in-house by municipal crews resulted in significant cost savings compared to the budget initially allocated for this project;
• The special attention to detail—including universal accessibility, intergenerational design, color choices, and material selections—makes this a welcoming and community-oriented space. The outdoor furniture, the path running through the park, the gazebo, and the wooden walkway leading to the river are all accessible to people with limited mobility. The addition of coloring designs on the concrete slabs in front of the benches creates intergenerational spaces that encourage interaction and conversation. The color yellow, which is visible right at the park’s entrance and is echoed in the rest of the furnishings, makes the space cheerful and welcoming. The use of wood gives the park a natural look that blends perfectly with its surroundings;
• The contribution oflocal expertise, which also strengthens the sense of belonging to this park. Ilana Cantin, a landscape architect, developed the design concept, perfectly addressing the key needs expressed during public consultations. Patrick Morency, a visual artist, designed the magnificent sign at the park’s entrance, which blends seamlessly with the rest of the design through its materials and color. Kuizin Studio, a graphic design firm, created the coloring tiles, which are a much-appreciated addition to the park, especially by children.

A Park for the Future

The opening of Jacques-Gagné Park marked not only the conclusion but also the success of a project that was carefully planned as a community effort from start to finish. The Town of Sutton is proud of this addition to its municipal infrastructure and encourages all Sutton residents to come explore their new park this summer!

After careful consideration and public consultation, three key elements were targeted for revitalization: access to water, the addition of play modules for all ages, and a reconfiguration of the park entrance to make it more visible and welcoming. A cultural project has also been integrated into the site and will be launched in the spring.

Here is what we have been up to over the past summer and fall:

• creation of a mound to encourage free play and sliding in winter;
• creation of a log and rock course;
• installation of a swing for ages 2 to 12;
• addition of benches;
• creation of a stone sieve path through the park;
• installation of a gazebo;
• fabrication and installation of a platform providing access to the Sutton River;
• addition of rocks for sitting by the river;
• tree planting;
• installation of coloring slabs and benches for the cultural project.

For you, we have captured the evolution of the park over the past year:

Here is what is on the agenda this spring:

• completion of the play area for children aged 2 to 5, including :
  • a sandbox;
  • a small house;
  • two cedar barrels;
  • a backhoe for kids;
  • a river of rocks;
• development of the park entrance with :
  • a bicycle rack;
  • a chemical toilet;
  • a new panel;
• installation of several picnic tables;
• addition of Adirondack chairs on the dock;
• installation of solar lighting at the park entrance and on the quay;
• landscaping.

Official Opening Scheduled for Early June!

As announced last May, the entire project is the fruit of a remarkable collaboration between the Quality of Life Advisory Committee, the Recreation, Community Life and Culture Department, which steered the concept and citizen consultation, and the Public Works and Fixed Assets Department, which is responsible for the implementation of the project.

When fully completed, Gagné Park will be a pleasant new gathering place for families to play, and for all generations to enjoy the rest areas and picnic areas.

The Town of Sutton will be proud to inaugurate with you the new layout of Gagné Park in early June: follow the news for the announcement of the date!

The work has begun! Between Tuesday, May 13 and Friday, May 16, 2025, the Public Works and Fixed Assets Department carried out excavation work at Gagné Park as part of its redevelopment. The park was closed to the public for the duration of the work and reopened after the excavation.

IMPORTANT: This project is being carried out in-house by the Public Works and Fixed Assets Department. The entire park redevelopment work will be spread over several weeks until September, to allow the team to complete all its other tasks at the same time. We will keep you posted on the progress of the work and any resulting closures. Thank you for your cooperation!