Residents discuss future of Robert-Stewart pathway

Greg Newing

Aylmer residents discussed priorities for redeveloping the Robert-Stewart pathway on December 3. Organized by Councillor for the Mitigomijokan district Anik des Marais and the Conseil régional de l'environnement et du développement durable de l'Outaouais (CREEDO), the consultation was an initial exploration of concerns and ideas before a final plan is presented to council in 2024.

The Robert-Stewart pathway runs from the corner of Chemin Robert Stewart up to the des Cavaliers Elementary school on rue Nancy-Elliot.  The pathway has been closed to motor traffic since 2021 after residents mobilized against a new road linking rue du Jockey and rue Denise-Pelletier. According to Councillor des Marais, the pathway is an opportunity to promote a more pedestrian-centered approach to urban planning, “We need to give citizens a voice in both planning and implementation, even opening up the possibility of participating in financing,” said Councillor des Marais.

“People use this path all the time for biking and walking.  It’s really a multi-use path and really important for us,” said local resident Jeanette Gervais. Residents Emma and Kevin Morgan noted that while they find the pathway to be very safe, the section of road on chemin Robert-Stewart between the entrance of the path and the end of the NCC bike trail is in urgent need of a sidewalk and lighting. Residents also suggested environmental initiatives such as zones for wildlife protection and outdoor activity areas integrated with the natural surroundings.

Parents concerned about school zones

Families living in the neighborhood adjacent to the Robert Stewart pathway on rue Félix-Leclerc and rue Jean-Gascon have been voicing concerns to the city after a decision was made in October to change the neighborhood’s school zone from des Cavaliers Elementary school to École des Rapides-Deschênes. While the Robert Stewart pathway is regularly used by students for walking to and from school, it has not been officially recognized as a school corridor by the city – something that played a significant factor in the decision to change school zones. 

“I think it’ one of the safest pathways in Quebec.  We’ve never had a problem with safety and it’s easy for my son to go to school and come back home for lunch. The school is about 600 meters from our house, but since it’s not recognized as a school corridor, the city considers us to be 4 kilometers from des Cavaliers,” said Laurent Boisvert who participated in the consultation with his 4th grade son Noé Boisvert. Parents also highlighted that the proposed school corridor on the section of chemin Robert-Stewart between the entrance of the trail and rue du Fauborg is on a road that is open to traffic, lacks a sidewalk and is adjacent to a ditch. 

The Centre de services scolaire des Portages-de-l'Outaouais (CSSPO) decided to postpone the school-zone until January 2024 after parents’ groups mobilized. Ms. Des Marais said that a safety-assessment for the pathway was recently conducted by the SPVG at the end of November with results likely available in January 2024.

A second community consultation about the Robert-Stewart trail will be held in spring 2024 before a final plan is adopted.

Photo caption: Residents discussing the future of the Robert-Stewart pathway near the Cavaliers Elementary school.

Photo credit: Greg Newing