Newsletter - Cartier-Brébeuf National Historic Site - Award of Excellence
from the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects

QUEBEC CITY, April 29 /CNW Telbec/ - The Lairet River revitalization project at Cartier-Brébeuf National Historic Site has just won an Award of Excellence from the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects. The Awards of Excellence program recognizes and celebrates exceptional accomplishments in the landscape architect profession throughout Canada.

The Parks Canada team, and the landscape architects from Public Works and Government Services Canada, in cooperation with IBI Group / DAA (Daniel Arbour & Associates), succeeded magnificently in bringing the Lairet River into the light of day while evoking Jacques Cartier's wintering site in a contemporary manner. This award adds an air of celebration to the year 2010, highlighting the 475th anniversary of Jacques Cartier's overwintering in Quebec.

Meticulous historical research was carried out to determine the evolution of the morphology of the Lairet River, which has now been returned to its original riverbed over a distance of more than 300 metres. The river has also been naturalized to encourage the establishment of a viable ecosystem. For the most part, the flora that has been planted along the banks resemble the descriptions by Jacques Cartier in his travel writings. Urban furniture, lighting and a paved cycling path round out the site's refurbishment.

Parks Canada carried out the revitalization project of this historic site at a cost of $4 million. This major project is the result of a vision merging several components, such as sustainable development, enhancement of the visitor's experience, integration into the milieu, and the reconstitution of the historical landscape from Jacques Cartier's era.

Cartier-Brébeuf National Historic Site of Canada commemorates the site where Jacques Cartier and his companions overwintered in 1535-1536, near the Iroquois village of Stadacona. It also pays homage to the establishment of Quebec's first Jesuit mission in 1625-1626.

Parks Canada is responsible for a network of national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas that is recognized as one of the largest, mostbeautiful networks of protected areas in the world. Parks Canada works to ensure that Canada's historic and natural heritage is presented and protected for the enjoyment, education, appreciation and inspired discovery of all Canadians, today and in the future.

For further information: Mélissa Larose, Communications advisor, Parcs Canada, [phone]