Press release - For immediate release

Laval begins steps to transform Ste-Rose Golf into a large natural park: a citizen victory

For immediate release, Laval, september 5, 2025

Subject: Laval begins steps to transform Ste-Rose Golf into a large natural park: a citizen victory

The Coalition de Mobilisations Citoyennes Environnementales de Laval (CMCEL) welcomes the announcement by the City of Laval regarding the initiation of negotiations to acquire the Ste-Rose Golf course and transform it into a major public natural park. This initiative marks a major turning point and a victory for citizen mobilization, which has been advocating for several years for the protection of Laval’s former golf courses and its last remaining large green spaces.

Citizen engagement that drove change
Before the 2021 municipal elections, members of the CMCEL met with all political parties to raise awareness about the importance of preserving the former golf courses. At that time, none of the parties had presented a clear and sustainable vision for these lands. Thanks to citizen pressure, and with the support of other groups such as the Coalition Les terrains de golf en transition, the Mayor of Laval and his team subsequently announced the protection of approximately 70% of the city’s golf courses, including some already protected by permanent agricultural zoning or municipal regulations. This decision represented a significant advancement, including a partial protection of 50% for the western golf courses, namely Islesmere, Cardinal (excluding the driving range), and Laval-sur-le-Lac.

Why protect Laval’s former golf courses?
The CMCEL emphasizes that these lands hold unique potential:

• Laval suffers from a severe lack of accessible large urban parks.

• Citizens do not have the possibility of traveling long continuous distances along the rivers, unlike other cities such as Montreal (from Lachine to the Old Port).

• These parks enable inclusive and universal use, accessible to children, seniors, and people with reduced mobility.

• The few large urban parks that exist remain difficult to access quickly by public transit for much of Laval’s population, and their parking lots are often filled to capacity during the summer season.

• They play a vital ecological role as buffer zones against flooding and as refuges for biodiversity.

• They complement existing woodlands, reducing human pressure on wildlife species.

• Their protection must be part of a long-term vision, for the benefit of future generations.

Ste-Rose Golf: a strategic site
Already fully protected under municipal regulations, recognized as a ZAEP (Special Ecological Planning Zone), located near the Mille Îles River in proximity to a floodplain, and not designated as agricultural land, Ste-Rose Golf logically represents the site with the greatest potential to be transformed into a vast natural park if its owners choose to sell.

Prudence and citizen vigilance
The CMCEL stresses that this is, for the moment, only a letter of intent between the City and the golf course owners. Nothing has yet been confirmed, and discussions must continue until a formal agreement is reached. It is therefore essential to remain vigilant and mobilized to ensure that this project becomes a reality.

Continuing on this path
The CMCEL welcomes this initiative and encourages the City of Laval to continue in this direction by also acquiring vulnerable woodlands, such as the Bois de Naples, the woodlands adjacent to the Bois de l’Équerre (west of Rang de l’Équerre), the Boisé Saint-Saëns Ouest, and the Boisé Saint-Antoine.

Quote
“This announcement clearly demonstrates that citizen mobilization delivers results. The people of Laval deserve large urban parks that promote access to nature, protect our natural environments, and improve the quality of life of the entire community. Ste-Rose Golf must become a model of sustainable and inclusive development for current and future generations,” said Jonathan Tremblay, co-spokesperson of the CMCEL.