SOCCER TRICKS KILL BOREDOM
Father and son start fun challenge
A day after Montrealers flocked to parks and green spaces in the sunshine on Saturday, the city closed Île Notre-dame and the parking lots in Mount Royal Park because of the COVID -19 pandemic.
Most citizens have been following the instructions on social distancing, but police had to intervene Saturday beside the Lachine Canal, where groups of people had gathered, it said in a statement.
And on Île Notre-dame, “the guidelines for social distancing were not sufficiently respected,” it said.
“As a result, the Atwater pedestrian bridge is closed for an indefinite period,” it said.
Many visitors from outside of the city centre visited Mount Royal Park on Saturday, which should not be happening, it said. As a result, the parking lots have been closed. People should avoid unnecessary trips and use parks near their homes rather than travelling to ones outside their neighbourhood, the city reminded residents.
On Saturday, it was a new reality at Beaver Lake as joggers, walkers and other outdoor enthusiasts were doing their usual activities, but under the watchful eye of dozens of Montreal police officers.
Officers questioned anyone driving up to the parking lots around the park, asking if their trip was essential, saying people are being discouraged from flocking out to the park.
“The police officer told us the parking lot wasn’t closed, but we were strongly discouraged to use it because there are a lot of people in the parking lot,” said Christian Bergeron, who was sitting on a bench with his dog, Zephyr, near the melted artificial rink located near the chalet.
He met his friend Marie-josée Fontaine and they were sitting on separate benches. They had intended to walk through one of the nearby cemeteries, but it was closed.
About 10 police cars lined the entrance to the park on Saturday, while other officers were patrolling in the park on bicycle and on horseback.
Montreal police officers and the Sûreté du Québec have been given permission to immediately issue $1,000 tickets to people who break rules banning indoor and outdoor public gatherings.
Mayor Valérie Plante issued warnings earlier this week against gathering in parks.
“It is a problem,” Bergeron said. “It is in a way threatening to see people not taking it seriously and keeping the proper distance. But I noticed since the police presence was stepped up in the last few days, it’s been better. A $1,000 fine will be a good deterrent.”
Saturday was the first time Steve and Cathy Lewis and their two children Sidney, 10, and Elijah, 6, got a chance to run around outdoors. The Côte-des-neiges family walked to the park with their dog Emu, a German Shephard and Labrador mix.
Cathy said the isolation measures in place have been difficult for her children, who are cooped up during the week and doing home-schooling from Stanislas school. On Saturday morning, Sidney and Elijah were chasing each other around the park on the grass.
“We just wanted to get them to go out and burn energy,” Steve said.
“There’s a lot of arguing that goes on indoors,” Cathy added.
Cathy said she doesn’t feel authorities will have to close parks, as she also believes most people are respecting the orders.
“I think people respect each other, and there doesn’t seem to be any gatherings,” she said.
She added although the isolation is difficult she believes it is crucial to stop the spread of the virus.
“I was really relieved when they closed school because we have to use the métro twice a day to get the kids to school; I’m relieved I don’t have to do that.”