Six perspectives on Les Jardins Gamelin

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There’s still time to enjoy Les Jardins Gamelin, this downtown oasis, summer is held over until October 2. Experience the gardens every day – and each day is completely different from the last. Yoga, music, family activities, karaoke, ping-pong, dance, board games afternoon, urban agriculture… the list is generous and varied.

Six people behind the activities and events presented in Les Jardins Gamelin explain to us about why this green space is so special.

Chloé Dessain, community manager

Chloé is in charge of social media for Les Jardins Gamelin, and collects feedback from the public during events.

What does les Jardins Gamelin mean to you?

A gathering place, with really exceptional cultural programming. Artists and visitors really make the space their own, while still including the people who were already here.

What’s your highlight of the summer so far?

SoCalled, who mingled with the audience during his concert. I also like seeing up-and-coming artists, who are always so happy to perform here.

What do you recommend for the rest of the season?

The musical program is really great. I particularly recommend the Concert découverte series, every Friday evening. Family Sundays are also a lot of fun.

Alix Grinsell, programming intern

Alix is the on-site eyes and ears of the programming team, collecting feedback from audiences and artists.

What does les Jardins Gamelin mean to you?

A perfect terrace for happy hour. A place where diversity comes naturally, where you can unwind and enjoy the real Montreal. I also like the challenge behind the project: transforming the reputation of Place Émilie-Gamelin and make it a place of social coexistence.

What’s your highlight of the summer so far?

I really enjoyed the Montreal Gospel Choir. On the Monday evening when the 80-voice ensemble sang, they made a deep connection with the audience. There was a large crowd at Les Jardins Gamelin at this moment.

What do you recommend for the rest of the season?

Wednesdays are great and always-festive with the Turntable Night and the Midi de l’Escalier series who present a very diverse musical program.

Gilles Côté, park manager

Gilles supervises events, oversees the daily program and welcomes visitors to the Jardins.

What does les Jardins Gamelin mean to you?

It’s a place where you meet all kinds of people. It wasn’t the same just a few years ago. Now there are even day camps that come here! I like the life here. I was living on the street and now I’m working with people like me, the people I lived with for 28 years. I see myself in them. With Les Jardins Gamelin, we’re changing those people’s everyday lives. I feel like part of a family.

What’s your highlight of the summer so far?

Haïti en folie, because of the beauty of all the people who participated. But my favourite thing is what we’ve done with Place Émilie-Gamelin as a whole.

What do you recommend for the rest of the season?

That people take advantage of the calm ambiance here. The music is always good, and it’s worth a trip just to see the park after 9 p.m., when the floating sculpture by Janet Echelman is lit up.

Markus Fretas, DJ

Markus is one half of the Tupi Collective, which explores Brazilian music and appears monthly as part of Turntable Night in Les Jardins Gamelin.

What does les Jardins Gamelin mean to you?

A varied public, with Montrealers, tourists, homeless people. The space is very welcoming, and it’s a perfect place to reach a wider audience. I’m thrilled to be part of Les Jardins Gamelin family.

What’s your highlight of the summer so far?

I remember seeing a fairly old woman dancing and smiling at one of our shows. And there was a man, one of the space’s regulars, who remembered us and came to listen. It’s amazing to see so much joy in people’s faces.

What do you recommend for the rest of the season?

That people come out and listen to our Brazilian music, which is a perfect fit for the atmosphere in Les Jardins Gamelin. We will be there on September 21.

Agathe Moreau, Sentier urbain

Agathe is in charge of urban agriculture activities in Les Jardins Gamelin. She and her team tend the gardens and lead public workshops.

What does les Jardins Gamelin mean to you?

An oasis of diversity. The urban agriculture component lets visitors reconnect with the earth and the environment – right downtown.

What’s your highlight of the summer so far?

The work we’re doing with an organization called Présence compassion. People in difficult situations, from different backgrounds, do various farming tasks with us, and it’s fantastic to see them take so much delight in seeing the literal fruits of their labour.

What do you recommend for the rest of the season?

The plants are at their peak, the giant sunflowers are in bloom, the squashes are ripening, it’s harvest time. With the autumn in mind, we planted hardy vegetables like turnips, beets and Chinese cabbage. Family Sunday series is continuing, and more experts will be coming to share their wisdom.

Dominic St-Laurent, restaurateur

Dominic, of Ballpark restaurant, runs the Jardins’ snack bar with a dozen employees, serving burgers, rolls, fries and cocktails.

What does les Jardins Gamelin mean to you?

An intelligent configuration that makes possible a perfect symbiosis between people and place. We’re in the heart of Montreal’s action, and we meet all kinds of people. It’s a very interesting place, with great programming that the snack-bar employees appreciate very much.

What’s your highlight of the summer so far?

Every time there are DJs, the ambiance is simply magical. I’ve particularly loved the Lundi chorale series and the SoCalled concert.

What do you recommend for the rest of the season?

There’s going to be a great harvest from the containers. You can join the local workers and long-term park users who come to enjoy the space, and sample our famous vegetarian chili balls.

Les Jardins Gamelin

Until October 2