Gritty Parc milie-Gamelin gets glamorous makeover

The Quartier des spectacles is betting on public art and gardens to change the culture and clientele of downtown Montreal'sParc milie-Gamelin.

The renovated park at the corner ofBerriandSte-Catherinestreetsreopened Thursday evening.

The parkis known as a hangout for the homeless and the starting point for many of the city's protests and demonstrations.

It wasclosed for a month for renovations with the intention of completely transforming the space so that all Montrealers feel safe and welcome on the site.

Alexandra Mayer speaks for the Quartier des spectacles.

"What we're really trying to do here is encourage peaceful co-existence. Often times we're asked, 'Are you trying to force homeless people out of here?' It's not about excluding anybodyquite on the contrary. Actually, several homeless people have told us they appreciate when there's programming.It brings a different crowd, it brings more activity and it's even safer for them," Mayer said.

The new installations include wooden vegetable garden boxes, a patio with a restaurant, performance stages, a free-speech platform and new lawn chairs for the grass.

Organizers have plans for a range of activities from soul music at lunchto Saturday concerts and Sunday brunches.

The Quartier des spectacles is working with the Ville-Marie borough to ensure safety by hiringstreet intervention workers and makingthe park more welcoming for all.

Daybreak Montreal7:30New look for gritty Parc Emilie-Gamelin

The story of how the Quartier des spectacles is betting on art, a public garden and activities to make the park safer and more hospitable for all, including the homeless who gather there.

Former homeless man helps out

Quartier des spectacles employee,49-year-old Gilles Ct, said heused to be one of the homeless people hanging out at the park.

He said heturned his life around nine years ago and now works in the park watching for friction and helping build bridges with the broader community.

He thinks he and a second street worker who is also a former homeless person are good examples for the young people who hang out on the grass at the park.

"You know the message we give at the people in the grass. We say, 'Hey look, if you want to take your life in your hand and do a better life, it's possible because look, Simon and me, we come from the grass.'"

Old Brewery Mission presidentMatthew Pearce applauds the initiative.He said everyone benefits from more beautiful public spaces But Pierce wonders if the renovations will really turn the reputation of the park around.

"I don't know if that will decrease tensions or whether it might by increasing the number of people who go in. But I support the initiative of making our public spaces as beautiful as we can," Pearce said.

• Natalie Fontaine-McConnellplays violin in Parcmilie-Gamelin