Linear park “Le P’tit Train du Nord” : usage and activities
19 April 2016The abandoned rail bed, now replaced by the linear park “Le petit-Train-du-Nord”, has a turbulent past, which has given rise to numerous efforts on our part in order to preserve the safety and tranquility of the homeowners adjacent to the trail.
Historical usage of the linear park
This page is available on the website petitehistoiredulacmercier.ca
Usage :
L’Association du lac Mercier is much in favour of non-polluting activities on the linear park.
The linear park has allowed all those who participate in « green” activities, to enjoy the beautiful landscape bordering the lake, which is a unique attraction requiring preservation.
The objectives of our interventions are:
-maintain the stability of the surface of the linear park because of the numerous contaminants trapped therein, and minimize actions that could alter the surface,
-preserve the vegetal cover along the edge of the track surface in order to return it to it’s original state,
-limit erosion within the few meters that separate the linear park from the lake.
These objectives lead us to oppose any usage that could interfere with the natural state of the linear park by modifying or enlarging the surface of the track.
Activities:
-Biking and Strolling:
The trail around lac Mercier is a regional tourist attraction. There are not many similar places so conducive to pedestrian strolling, jogging or family cycling with such a spectacular view of the lake.
People come to lac Mercier because of it’s rural atmosphere.
The surface of the trail in stone dust as well as the numerous rest stops, contribute to the natural appearance of this portion of the Linear Park.
Linear park Le P’tit Train du Nord
-Cross country ski:
Agreement was reached between the city and Mont-Tremblant Cross country ski during January 2011, to ensure grooming of the cross-country ski trails on lac Mercier portion of the Linear Park.
Recommendations have been made such that trail grooming be done at a reasonable time, and that barriers impeding motorized vehicles, be left in place permanently.
Lake access along the linear park and MRC rules:
The beach at Lac Mercier
Lac Mercier offers free access for Mont-Tremblant residents, upon presentation of the « Vivre Mont-Tremblant » card, and at very affordable rates for other visitors and vacationers. It is a privileged place for gathering, recreation and relaxation.
The lake is thus accessible to all for swimming, via its sandy beach located on the outskirts of the old village of Mont-Tremblant.
The linear park
The “Le P’tit Train du Nord” linear park is the longest linear park in Canada. This 232 km linear trail connects the cities of Bois-des-Filion (within Thérèse-De Blainville MRC) and Mont-Laurier (within Antoine-Labelle MRC). This highly popular byking segment runs along Lake Mercier over 50% of its perimeter and cyclists, runners, walkers and passers-by can discover all the richness and beauty of Lake Mercier.
A stop at the station in the old village of Mont-Tremblant, and a visit to the merchants and restaurateurs, near the public beach, are worth a look.
Occupancy of the linear park: contiguous properties (Access rights)
Many property owners living near the linear park have to cross the bike path to access the lake shore. It is the responsibility of the MRC des Laurentides (the “MRC”) and the Ministry of Transport to define, and grant, according to their respective areas of responsibility, access rights to the lake and occupation permits to the right of way of the Linear Park.
At the beginning of unauthorized access and occupation of the shoreline, abuses with regard to deforestation along the linear park, illegal installations of docks, stairs, platforms, sheds and permanent structures, as well as the mooring of boats in unauthorized places, the MRC had to take action in order to counter these abuses, and ensure protection against a significant loss of plant cover along the shoreline.
A policy authorizing and managing access rights to the lake was adopted by the MRC council of mayors in April 2014.
The implementation of its occupation policy for the area bordering the linear park provides for:
- the granting of new occupation permits to current lease holders and owners of land abutting the linear park; granting and renewing the permits meets the requirements clearly specified in the policy;
- the granting of a maximum period to non-compliant non permit-holding occupants to standardize their occupation;
- the obligation for new holders of occupancy permits to submit to the rules of use;
- the obligation to comply with municipal regulations with regard to the protection of the shoreline.
The policy provides that at the end of the prescribed period, no occupancy new permits will be granted or renewed if the occupant does not comply with the provisions of the policy and municipal by-laws.
