Boucher Forest Foundation adds new signage and pedestrian shelter to the beloved forest

Sophie Demers

Residents that frequent the Boucher Forest trails can now make use of the new installations which include signage indicating the various paths as well as a pedestrian shelter. The construction of the shelter was sponsored by the Choquette-Legault Foundation and was designed by Sophie Lamothe, associate architect at A4 Architecture + Design.

"The result of the work is beyond our expectations. The choice concept and materials, the look

it gives to the park, as well as the creative process with Conception Plein Air, are strong indicators of success," said Director of the Foundation Mageland Yepmézoué.

The shelter is a wooden structure of approximately 77 m². It has a roof but no walls, which allows the Boucher Forest Foundation to offer activities and classes when the programming is complete.

In terms of the new signage, there are now over 330 signs indicating trails, access points and interesting sites in the park. There are also ten new information panels about the forest's natural resources, including fauna and flora. The information panels were illustrated by artist Élise Gravel.

Sylvain Potvin, an artist and member of the board of directors for the Foundation painted a large wooden post that has been installed at the entrance of 500 rue Samuel Edey which serves as a welcome sign. The artist also attached one of his wooden sculptures to the post, the piece is entitled L'Assise. Finally, Potvin also created twelve trees of gratitude, which are wooden posts that pay tribute to the Foundation’s major donors.

The donors include Brigil, Caisse Desjardins de Hull-Aylmer, the Quebec Government, the Choquette Legault foundation, and the Fondation de la faune du Québec, which manages the

Hydro-Québec “pour la mise en valeur des milieux naturels environnementaux” program.

"It's one more incentive to come and enjoy one of the largest urban forests in western Quebec, and the only one in Gatineau, with a 1.6 km universal trail. We're very proud of what we're all building together," said Adrien Corbo, President of the Boucher Forest Foundation. “We've reached a milestone in our journey. I believe that the enthusiasm shown over the past 15 years has encouraged the Foundation's work and leads us to believe that this is far from the end.”

The Foundation recently announced they will soon launch a new website. The Boucher Forest Foundation manages and protects 360 acres of the Boucher forest. Their mission is to protect biodiversity, promote universal access, and education. The Boucher forest is over 700 acres and is home to approximately 1,145 plant and animal species, including 25 species of trees, some of which are over 120 years old.

Photo caption 1: Pedestrian Shelter that was recently constructed in the Boucher Forest. The structure was designed by Sophie Lamothe and sponsored by Choquette-Legault Foundation.

Photo caption 2: One of the new installations in the Boucher Forest, wooden posts designed by Sylvain Potvin.

Photo credit: The Boucher Forest Foundation