On June 12, I celebrated the 33rd anniversary of taking possession of my home, located on the last street developed in what was then the Plateau. My first house! The trip of a lifetime, as I proudly told my friends and family. I was filled with pride to become a landowner and to possess my own little piece of the planet to care for. That same pride would later inspire me to help create, with fellow residents of the surrounding streets, a neighbourhood association (which became the ARP) to promote a strong sense of belonging--so important to building a vibrant community life from the ground up.
Last year, as the founding president of the ARP, I wrote a series of articles marking the association's 30th anniversary, recounting some of its key activities. One of them was the Quartier fleuri contest, created to encourage landscaping of newly built homes. All homeowners were eligible; no registration needed--it was enough to have made even a modest attempt to beautify the front of the house. The contest organizers would tour the neighbourhood many times over the three-month contest period to evaluate the progress of landscaping efforts, and with each visit, they had more and more homes to consider.
These days, when I go on my daily walks, I find myself slipping back into the role of judge for that landscaping contest. And although environmental standards have changed, I often feel a real sense of sadness--even deep disappointment--at the growing neglect I see.
And yet, maintaining a yard is within everyone's reach and offers many benefits. First, the physical ones: at a time when we're all trying to be less sedentary despite our tech-filled lives, doing a bit of weeding or gardening is great for muscles and joints--not to mention the benefits of breathing fresh air and simply spending time outside.
Then there are the mental health benefits: gardening is good for the mind. It requires focus, and that makes it easier to let go of other thoughts--especially if you've left your phone inside or at least switched it to silent, using it only as a step counter.
There's also the aesthetic dimension: while tastes may vary, a well-kept yard is a visual pleasure--for yourself, your neighbours, and passersby. It creates a pleasing environment filled with plants, flowers, and landscaping choices that reflect your personal style.
And finally, as homeowners, no one wants to see their property lose value. In these times when housing is scarce and expensive, having a roof over one's head--let alone owning it--is a privilege. Why not add value to that property by simply maintaining your front yard? It enhances not only your own home, but the entire street, since property values are influenced by those around them.
That said, I regret that the City does not include private property maintenance in its Neighbourhood Beautification Program. Nor does it offer incentives for landscaping or upkeep. In this regard, the City's well-founded environmental policies--such as watering restrictions and the ban on harmful pesticides and herbicides--adopted in response to climate change, have inadvertently led to a kind of general complacency. We now see more and more front yards left completely untended.
This neighbourhood used to be beautiful, but it is losing its shine. It is each individual's responsibility not to let a major personal investment deteriorate and to help ensure that our community continues to live up to both its reputation and our expectations. This message is both a personal and collective call to pride. The Plateau remains one of the most beautiful neighbourhoods in the City of Gatineau. I want to remain proud to live here--let's help one another make that happen.
In solidarity,
