Le Jardin des Pionniers has big plans for 2012

Although it won't know the future of any of its ambitious plans for 2012 until after the town approves its 2012 budget, the creators of Le Jardin des Pionniers have high hopes for 2012.

Dominique Carriere and David Huard, the creators of the garden, made a presentation to Hawkesbury council on Monday, January 30 to highlight some of the successes from last year and present their plans for a variety of festivals and attractions for this year.

Launched in July of 2011, the garden is located in Place des Pionniers in Hawkesbury's downtown core. Carriere said the main goal of the garden is to provide a place for local artists and artisans to rent space and sell their handmade works of art.

"I must stress that our goal is not to compete with other merchants in the downtown," he told council. "The artisans vending in the garden are selling their own handmade works of art. We are to bring vibrancy, creativity and diversity to the downtown core."

Since its official opening last summer, Carriere said the garden and the activities that take place within it have piqued interest and curiosity among residents.

In 2011, the garden played host to numerous events including painters creating works of art for all to see, musical performances and the popular Citrouille et Ratataouille fall festival.

By far the biggest success, Carriere pointed out, were the Christmas celebrations held in the garden, which attracted well over 300 children and adults. Those who stopped by were treated to a visit from Santa Claus, as well as thousands of sparkling lights lighting up the magical space.

"In our first six month we experienced success and received a lot of positive and constructive feedback," Carriere noted. "When we started our plan was take place over the course of four years but it appears we will be able to bring our dream to life in two years. The garden has attracted attention and we are certain it will continue to gain popularity."

In 2012, Carriere and Huard are hopeful they can host events almost every month, thus realizing the dream of keeping the space open year-round.

In February, the creators are hoping to host Le Jardin de Glace and would eventually like to see an ice sculpting and snowman building contest held on site.

"We obviously won't have those contests this year, but that's the plan for next year," Carriere said. "This year, we would like to see skating, music and lights."

In March and April, the garden would be transformed into a farm featuring easter favourites such as chicks, rabbits, pigs and sheep for children and adults to feed and visit with. There would also be face painting and the White Rabbit would be on hand for Easter-themed activities.

In honour of Mother's Day in May, the garden would host an event that would invite young people in the community to help paint flower boxes that would be placed in the downtown core and filled to the grim with beautiful flowers.

Father's Day in June would welcome the Hawkesbury Barbecue, which would encourage barbecue enthusiasts to bring their favourite barbecue dish to the garden for all to sample. Of course, there would be prizes for first, second and third place.

"Barbecue has become very popular and we think this event could become quite huge for the town," Carriere commented.

The garden would play host to a Canada Day celebration that would "compliment" the town's celebration at Confederation Park, Carriere said. Musicians and artists would perform and create their works of art in the garden.

A country festival is being proposed for August, while September would welcome a Harvest Festival.

"This year, I harvested all of the fruits and vegetables growing in the garden and placed them on a cart," Carriere explained. "I placed a donation box on the cart and people were welcome to take what they wanted for a donation."

Additionally, Carriere said he collected all the money thrown into the fountain and placed that in a box. He said that money will be used to purchase something for the garden.

"People throw money in the fountain to make wishes," he said. "It's not right to take that money and just put it in your pocket. So I collected it and something will be purchased with that money and place in the garden for everyone to enjoy. This way, the community is contributing to something that will be placed in the garden for everyone to enjoy."

The Citrouille and Ratataouille festival will be held in October and will feature pumpkin decorating and other activities. Finally, the year will wrap up with the ever-popular Christmas celebration in the garden.

Carriere said the budget for this year's planned events is around $35,000, in addition to the $25,000 grant the town provided for the project over four years.

"There are a few options," Carriere said. "The town could provide the $35,000 or it could decide on the amount it would like to provide and we could split that money up among all the different events. We would attempt to raise the rest of the funds necessary to carry out these events. This is just an estimate and it could vary depending on the popularity of each event. We realize some events may be more popular than others."

Council offered nothing but praise to Carriere and Huard for their efforts and success.

"I think you've done a fabulous job and people are talking about the garden," councilor Michel Thibodeau said. "You've done a fantastic job."

Councillor Alain Fraser praised the duo for their "creativity and originality" in bringing the project to life.

"People are interested in the garden and they are talking about it," he stated. "It's a real asset to the town and it's downtown core."

Thibodeau noted that because the town is not having its winter carnival again this year, that the $5,000 set aside in the budget for the event be allocated to Carriere and Huard for the ice festival they would like to host in February.

"I would have absolutely no problem advancing them the money so they can move forward with their plans for the ice festival," Thibodeau commented. "That $5,000 is sitting there for the winter carnival, which isn't happening again this year. I propose that we put that money toward their festival."

Council agreed to forward the $5,000 to Carriere and Huard for their event, but mayor Rene Berthiaume said the $35,000 would have to be examine as the town proceeds with its 2012 budget deliberations.

He also noted the town is working on creating a policy for recreation and cultural development and encouraged the two men to seek financial assistance from the Hawkesbury Business Improvement Association, which is a partner in the project.