Park Pilote
Since the inauguration of the park Pilote on September 20, 2007, the dogs have been playing with balls. Most of the time, there is no problem. Dogs talk to each other and, in general, puppies learn very quickly to take their place among the older ones. And when a handler arrives at the park with a dog with protective ball behavior that could possibly be agressive, the people present are also talking to each other. Either they agree to collect the balls and put them in the storage box at the entrance while the dog is present, or it is the master and his dog who decide by mutual agreement with the people present to try to acclimatize his dog to the presence of balls or to go elsewhere. Regardless, most of the users at park Pilote end up getting along.
Balls in dog parks, City regulations
and our petition
Unfortunately, following a few serious incidents in recent years involving aggressive dogs, the City of Montréal has decided to crack down and punish all dog owners by standardizing the minimum fine for any offense involving dogs at $446 ($300+$146 administrative fees), including the ban on balls in dog parks and the use of retractable leashes.
For our dogs, happiness is simple and the park Pilote is their little paradise of freedom, a place of games and meetings dedicated to them to thank them for the love they give us.
The park Pilote is small, it is visited by a lot of dogs and the large section is in the shade. et la grande section est à l'ombre. From the start it has been difficult to hold onto the turf for a full season. Result: after each rain, spring and fall, we were in the mud for several days. In 2019, we therefore agreed with the City to replace the grass (earth) with gravel for about two-thirds of the section and to put grass on the other third.
The park had to be closed for a few weeks while the grass took up. When it reopened, a fence was then installed to protect the grassy area while allowing dogs to play in the gravel portion of the park. But this has not always been respected.
Despite the constant efforts of watering of Britney and Alain Farag, Per Dahl and other hardworking volunteers, and the addition of clover seeds, the grass did not survive in the large section of the park.
Finally, together with France Beaudin from the Public Works department, and so as not to have to relive the park's closure every season, we opted for gravel throughout the large section of the park, the same as used in the dog park Sault-au-Récollet in Ahuntsic (photo). And since then, we can go to the park even in the rain without having to deal with the mud.
The lawn was also completely redone in 2019 in the small, sunnier section of the park, and despite this, it had to be redone again in the spring of 2021.
Regulars at park Pilote know the friendly Per Dahl and his handsoe golden Leo. We thank him for his tireless sweeping, shovel or watering at the entrance to the park, for filling the holes, donating balls, etc. It has become insidpensable to us.
A Big Thank You Per !
Thank you also to Simon Plourde (Waska) who shoveled the entrance to the park again last winter as well as to all the other people who took part including Valentina (Turi) and the others whose names I do not know. Thanks to you, it is more pleasant to come to the park.
An accomplished businesswoman and in love with Montréal, Catherine Sévigny had launched into politics to change things, activate projects and we were lucky that she was in post during our park proposal.
Alain Dufort was a proactive Director of Public Works and among the many projects he managed, he told us that the realization of the dog park at the corner of Duke & Brennan which has become the park Pilote is the one that has earned him the most citizen recognition.
Catherine Sévigny then asked us to find a name for the park and the dog educator Jean Lessard, who had been part of the Canine Club Vieux-Montréal since the beginning, directed us to the monument at Place d'Armes where is located a character with a dog. We discovered that it is Pilote, the famous dog of Raphaël Lambert-Closse who in 1644 saved Ville-Marie from a nocturnal attack by Iroquois.
In addition to this petition, in June 2006 we proposed a beautiful project for a dog park in the Old Port, opposite the Marché Bonsecours, and despite the fact that we had obtained the support of the City of Montréal and the SDC iof Old Montréal, the Old Port refused it, claiming the imminent arrival of a nearby tram. We are in 2021 and thre is still no tram.
Interested in more info? To pursue this project?
After this refusal of our project by from Old Port, Julie-Emmanuelle Carle who was a member of the Board of CCVM (Canine Club Vieux-Montréal) told us about the green space at the corner of Duke & Brennan
… and the rest is history.
Marlène Savard, Maurice Cusson and the poster prepared for the occasion
June 2011
Thanks to Alessandro, Amanda, Chris, Joëlle, Per Dahl and Wayne for their photos
The dog park project that we presented to the City in 2006 included, among other things, an agility course and a shelter. Since the reopening of the park Pilote following work on the Bonaventure Expressway, we have asked the City to use our funds to carry out these projects but the City has decided to grant them to us and carried them out in 2020-21, to our great pleasure.
Among others, thank you to Juan Carlos Restrepo, France Beaudin and Pierre Dubois from the City's Public Works department for making these two particular projects a reality.
With the drawing of the City in hand, Alba plans with Dagobert where the elements of agility will be located
We have purchased a bulletin board which we have affixed inside the bus shelter that is used by all local people and businesses that provide dog services and/or products, or to display any relevant dog related message.
On the back, facing Duke Street, we put up a Parc Pilote poster.
In addition to printing the posters, including the one at the entrance on the history of Pilote and the hosting of the website, we also purchased the storage box that we placed near the entrance of the park and in which we put away equipment that we renew regularly: bags, poop colllectors, shovels brooms, guns for the garden hose, potting soil, grass seed, rake, first aid kit, balls treats, swimming pools, etc.
Everything is carefully accounted for. As of June 28 2021, we had an amount of $1,620 remaining including the recent purchase of two PVC dog pools, a large 63" and a small 32" as well as the last one in blue plastic.
The last few summers have been hot and humid, which is difficult for the dogs. A small dip should help regulate the body temperature of our doggies during the summer.
On September 2020, the City was installing the agility course at park Pilote
On October 10, 2020, the City poured the concrete slab for the future bus shelter
In our initial project, the agility course proposed by dog trainer Jean Lessard was made up of already existing urban elements such as concrete blocks, bike path markers, tires, etc. but the elements that make up the agility course chosen by the City are mainly made of wood and they are very popular with users.
Alba and Dak
There are strong winds at the corner of Duke and Brennan and a shelter was important for park users, especially during winter. After many requests to the City to give us permission to buy a shelter, we found a used bus shelter that we were planning to buy but, to our surprise, the City decided to grant us with a brand new one, which we really appreciate.
September 2020
Who are we?
Maurice Cusson and myself, Marlène Savard, founded the Club Canin Vieux-Montréal (CCVM) Canine Club Vieux-Montréal and registered it as an association dedicated to defending the interests of dog owners and achieving a dog park project.
On November 21, 2006 we presented to Catherine Sévigny, then a Councilor for Arrondissement Ville-Marie, a project for a dog exercise area in this small green space at the corner of Duke and Brennan, in the shadow of the Bonaventure highway. Ms. Sévigny welcomed our project with great enthusiasm and we had the pleasure of working with her as well as with Alain Dufort, then Director of Public Works, on the realization of this project which was inaugurated on September 20, 2007 and which will later be called the park Pilote.
To this end, we sollicited members who trusted us by contributing. And in addition to supporting us in the realization of this park project, our city councilors, Catherine Sévigny first, and François Robillard then, trusted us by giving us a donation of $500 each year.
I made a website where only the $100/year hosting cost was, and still is, paid for with the funds raised. The website published a list of contributions and donations received as well as all Club expenses, which is still available now.
On March 17, 2012 Maurice and I left the CCVM board of directors. But after our departure, when we realized the lack of organization and time of the rest of the board members, as of May 31, 2013 we transferred the funds of $3,717.22 from the bank account to a term deposit in the name of the CCVM (Canine Club Vieux-Montréal).
Agility Course
Shelter
Grass, gravel?
Parc Pilote poster overlooking Duke Street
In the event of an incident, a dog first aid kit was placed in the box at the entrance to the dog park.
If possible, replace the items you take
In 2019, the City installed new grass in about a third of the large section of the park, protecting it with a fence
Plentiful clover seeds unfortunately failed to save the grass in the large section of the park where new grass was installed
Many people do not like the gravel which is dusty but looking at the opposite photo taken in the fall of 2020 with both feet in the muddy grass in the small dogs section with a view of the large section where the gravel is dry, we have to appreciate the difference. In addition, it would have been difficult to obtain these elements of agility with grass to be cut all around and the dog pool would also be in the mud…
Dogs communicate with each other, they take their place or are put in their place firmly but most of the time without aggression. Handlers should still keep an eye on their dog at all times and if there is an incident, handlers should also talk to each other, control their dog and, if applicable, should bear the costs of an incident injury.
With the end of the pandemic, we may be able to think about organizing events at park Pilote, doggie parties, bbqs?
A webcam with a view of the park Pilote could be a useful addition, among other things to check in advance if there are dogs, or too many dogs, if the door is blocked with snow, if the ground seems too icy, before arriving very close to the park and Fido refuses to turn back.
In addition to Wifi, we need a source of energy, electric or perhaps solar… there is a city traffic camera (photo) which captures the traffic on Robert-Bourassa Blvd; why not another camera, behind this one which would give a direct view on the park Pilote? To be continued…
Future projects?
Per Dahl and Leo
Photo MS
As the park Pilote was to be closed during the work to lower the Bonaventure Expressway, this amount was intended – and remains – dedicated to making improvements after its reopening in 2017 even if the Canine Club Vieux-Montréal no longer exists.
The Arrondissement Ville-Marie City Counsellor, Robert Beaudry, told us he has no intention to review the amount of $300 fine to dog owners. Its an election year, that's why dog owners need to act now because the next time there is an incident with an aggressive dog somewhere in Montréal, the City will send its canine patrollers all over the city, as it was the case last time, with the order to crack down on all dogs.
If you do not have your dog's tag, if you use a retractable leash longer than 1.85m, if you play with a ball with your dog at the dog park when you are not alone with him, you could then be fined $446 for each of these offenses.
May 20, 2021, inauguration of the swimming pool ,
Per Dahl fills it to the pleasure of Leo, Dagobert and co…
Updated July 18, 2021
In 2004, Télé-Québec presented the series L'Amérique française, a superb document produced by EdiZoom productions, hence this excerpt on Pilote with Luck Merville
Photo Valentina
Dog Exercise Area • Montréal
By way of comparison, a driver who travels at 75km/h in a 40km/h zone will be fined $155, "not to immobilize his vehicle to allow a pedestrian in a crosswalk to cross": $100, "overtaking a bus assiged to transporting schoolchildren whose mandatory stop signal is not retracted": $200, but playing with a ball in the dog park: $300 (plus $146 in administrative fees).
Why be so harsh on dogs knowing that for the majority of us, they are part of the family, and that for many it is even the only companion on the go. And the majority of us respect our obligations towards the City of Montréal (vaccinated, sterilized, microchipped, in addition to the dog permit) but the City for its part, has no valid reason to punish us all with these exorbitant fines following a few unfortunate past events involving aggressive dogs.
So, as absurd as it may sound, if you live in Montréal, unless you have your own private yard, you are prohibited from playing ball with your dog, even in a dog park, as it could cost you a lot.
The Arrondissement Ville-Marie has nevertheless granted us this magnificent dog exercise area that is the park Pilote, can we now hope that, like the big cities of the world which have understood the importance of dogs for their citizens, can we make Montréal a little more "dog friendly" city?
The cyclist who ignores a stop or burns a red light will only pay a $37 fine and the driver who travels at 75km/h in a 40km/h zone $155, actions involving more risk than using a retractable leash or to play ball at the dog park… Why then this discrimination?
If you disagree with the amount of the minimum fine of $446 fro any dog-related offense, let Mr. Robert Beaudry, Arrondissement Ville-Marie Counsellor know: robert.beaudry@montreal.ca and/or sign our petition.
Coco, Dagobert, Leo le Golden, Leo le Frenchie, Futé, Luna, Maggie, Murphy, Madame PetPet, Turi, Waska...
And if it turns out that a dog is likely to repeat an aggression, the muzzle is essential or, as I did with my first dog, no longer go to the dog park.
At park Pilote, to remedy potential incidents, a first aid kit for animals produced by the St. John Ambulance is available in the storage box at the entrance to the park.
Marlène Savard
If possible, think about the next one and replace the items you have used.
Alba and Dak are agility enthusiasts and Alba helped us choose the appropriate agility items from those offered by the City and then locate them in the park. Thanks Alba!
May 2008
June 2, 2008
The City installs the fountain for dogs and humans
Marlène and Maurice
Alain Dufort supervises the operation to improve soil drainage
Being located near the access door to the small dog section, the shelter is also usefull to its users
The bulletin board placed inside the bus shelter is being used to publish products and services for dogs
June 2008
The park Pilote was born out of a project that dog owners from Old Montréal presented to the City on November 21, 2006 and which was subsequently jointly carried out to be inaugurated on September 20, 2007.
This partnership between the City and citizens continues today. As it is a city park, the Ville-Marie Borough sees to major work, repairs, general maintenance, but it is the users who are involved in watering the lawn, snow removal, the purchase of shovels, brooms, rakes, spray guns, water bowls, bags and bag dispensers, first aid kit, swimming pools, etc. purchased with funds raised in the past by the initiators of the project and used, still today, by benevolent volunteers.
If you come to this park, please respect and take care not only of humans and dogs, but also objects useful for its maintenance, for our safety and for our leisure activities, starting of course with:
To empty the pool, no need to force, just open the valve that you have placed right above the drain.
David Guay (Yumi) volunteered to go get a plastic pool to replace it.
But on June 9, 2021 the bottom of the pool was punctured in four places.
watch and control your dog outside and inside the park;
immediately pick up your dog’s droppings and throw them in the trash;
make sure your dog has received the appropriate vaccines and parasite treatments;
refrain from bringing a female in heat, a dog that has symptoms of illness or if you suspect a possible aggressive behavior.
Together we are a small community of people who have a love for dogs in common. Your contribution to the well-being of the park Pilote, whatever it may be, is welcome.
Inauguration of the dog park on September 20, 2007
For many years, dogs, whether on a leash or not, were strictly prohibited in the Old Port, federal territory south of de la Commune St. which runs along the river the entire length of Old Montréal.
In 2006, we put an online petition and made an ironic label "Welcome to the Old Port of Montréal" followed by the "prohibited dogs" pictogram and printed it on our t-shirts.
History
Did you know?
And it is only since the departure of Madame Claude Benoit from the Old Port on Ferruary 28, 2013 that dogs on a leash are now allowed and, fortunately, the majority of dog owners collect their pet's droppings. Let's not forget not to take anything for granted.
Land facing the Marché Bonsecours in the Old Port where there is even a water point used by horse-drawn carriages
Corner Duke & Brennan - 2006
The park Pilote
from yesterday…
Info
Projects
… to today
Corner Duke & Brennan - 2018
Corner Duke & Brennan - 2011
2019
2021
May 2008
2019
As Mrs. Madame Beaudin told us, on May 12, 2021, the City rebuilt the grassed section for small dogs, which had to be closed for a few weeks. We also agreed with her that the users would take care of the watering.
And thanks to Britney and Alain Farag who have offered to take care of the watering of the grass and did so assiduously that we have a beautiful lawn in the section for small dogs. Thanks to both of you!
Thank you!
Finally, thank you to the people who collect their dog's droppings as well as the omissions of others…
Dispensers are hung on the fence in each section and bags are also available in the box at the entrance, where there are also sometimes treats that can be shared with friends, when the masters agree, of course ;-)
Thank you and bravo to Pascale (Astra) who patiently and skillfully managed to get this injured bird that was on the grass in the small dog section up on a broken branch and to transfer it to the fence
When the drain was clogged after heavy rains, Valentina (photo) and Per Dahl put their hands in the dough, and the shovel, to evacuate the excess water
Every year, we buy multiple brooms and several water guns that break. If you have a hard time handling them, there is certainly someone nice at the park who can help you.
Signature of petition. Maurice Cusson is with Charlemagne, under the table and Julie Carle is with Starlette, on the table, all dressed for the cause.
Pilote
2006
2018
Duke & Brennan 2006
September 24, 2007
May 2008
Distributor of bags homade by Maurice with recycled wood
Thanks to Catherine Sévigny and Alain Dufort, we have a dog park with a beautiful black metal fence, and not a Frost fence, a fountain for humans and dogs, a section for small dogs and Mr. Dufort had even used a new technique called "drain-o-soil" in order to obtain faster drainage of the land. For all this, we are very grateful to them.
Gifts for doggies, courtesy of dog educator, Jean Lessard
In 2007 the Resto des Éclusiers graciously provided us with the BBQ
And this gracious brewmaster provided the beer
Three in the pool…
Dog park Sault-au-Récollet
Dog parks
The following text is taken from the website of AnimOsource
(freely translated from french)
The advantages of dog parks
Lots of exercise! A dog of any size needs about four hours of exercise per day, every day. So going to the dog park, where he can run, get excited and play with his friends, it does him a lot of good. Get some fresh air, be free, roll around and rub against the grass.
The benefits of the park
Exercise, relaxation and socialization
Do you have a small dog? Go to the small enclosure if he's uncomfortable or scared. On the other hand, even if there are large dogs in the large park, and your dog feels comfortable with the large dogs, the little ones don't have to go into the small section. It is also important to understand that the small enclosure is not there to punish your dog.
The truth about parks
Yes, occasionally dogs get hurt, or there are little bickering, which means there is a lot of noise (growls, yelping, barking and whining), a lot of movement, a lot of pirouettes, teeth which are visible, gripping (dog which holds another of them by the skin, but which does not bite or pull), without there being wounds or bites.
If the owners are up to their task and no one panics (screaming in fear, pulling the dogs, hitting the dogs, etc.), everything will go very well. This does not mean, however, not to stop or control them, but rather to do it well.
Sure, there are dogs that you won't trust, fear, or love, but you need to embrace them and keep in mind that this experience is good for your dog… and for you.
Per Dahl
Valentina
www.petitionenligne.net/revisionamendechiensmontreal
Spring is here!
Our park needs a bit of love. Notice is given to all park users who would like to help wth our spring chores.
We do it together?