The green space next to Moncton City Hall is being revamped to honour a local cultural and literary figure.
Spokesperson for the city, Catherine Dallaire says work on the Gerald LeBlanc park began this week.
Dallaire says much of the greenery will remain but some hard surfaces, benches and artwork will be added to allow visitors to fully enjoy the space.
“The art will be inspired by the writings of Gerald LeBlanc. He wrote both in French and in English and there will be, incorporated in the public art piece, passages of his writing and a few other little surprises that will be included in the design,” says Dallaire.
She says the project is meant to honour and recognize a cultural and literary figure, who featured Moncton in most of his work.
Residents were able to provide feedback on the park’s design through an online survey, which was then shared with landscapers.
“Some looked at it as a physical space and others, from a cultural point of view, wanting to make sure Gerald LeBlanc was well recognized and others just wanted it to be a space where they could sit down and have a coffee or stop while they were in the downtown,” says Dallaire.
The plan was unveiled last summer, during the Congres Mondial Acadien and is expected to open by this fall.
Acadian poet Gerald LeBlanc.
