A splash of water. That’s the sound you might hear at Parc Cité-Jardin. It has a splash pad. The park is a place for relaxing. People enjoy the natural scenery. Outdoor activities are common here.
Parc Cité-Jardin offers a variety of amenities. There is a children’s playground. A toddler playground is also available.
But there’s more to Parc Cité-Jardin than just play. The Cité-Jardin area began in 1941. It was to be a co-op for middle-class families. They wanted to own a small property. At that time, buyers earned about $2,000 per year. That equals about $29,000 today. Construction was slow during the war. Only 165 homes were built. The co-op went bankrupt in 1947.
The planners used a common suburban model. Houses were detached and single-family. They clustered around dead-end streets. But Cité-Jardin had an internal network of public spaces. Each cul-de-sac opened into a pedestrian alleyway. These led to a central park. That park is Parc Cité-Jardin.
The development included a central building. It served as office space and a food co-op. It also had a chapel. In 1957, the building became a primary school. Many baby boomers lived in the neighborhood. The neighborhood is framed by urban boulevards. These are Viau, Assomption, and Rosemont. Public transit serves these streets.
Kids can roam freely here. They go between school, the park and friends’ houses. They do not have to cross a street. Teenagers can easily hop on a bus. Parents can leave their cars. They can take the metro to work. Some work at the hospital across the street.
As you explore, notice the street names. Bouleaux, Sapins and Épinettes are examples. The area has a focus on greenery. Tree branches tangle high above the rooftops.
Parc Cité-Jardin also has a toddler play structure. It has a great staircase. Many parents appreciate this. There are also slides and a tunnel. In the surrounding sand, you can find a pony spring rider. A small seesaw is also nearby. There is also a bright orange climber. The big kid section has a similar play structure. It includes more challenging ladders and steps. The slides are taller. Big and baby swings are available too. There’s also a green space for running around.
The splash pad at Parc Cité-Jardin is impressive. It includes small Alto mountain. It seems inviting for little hands. There is also a tall cascading Watermark. It is the first in Montreal. The landscaping around the play area is lovely. There is seating, shade structures, stones and picnic tables.
Once-modest homes are now being renovated. Some are doubling or tripling in size. This has led to regulations. The borough now regulates the surface areas of homes. It enforces a minimal distance between houses. The aim is to protect the 60-year-old trees.
Parc Cité-Jardin remains a unique experiment. It shows how suburbs could be planned differently. Take a moment to appreciate this blend of city and suburban life.