February 14, 2025
During the Fête des neiges in Pointe-des-Cascades the Ariel Arch, now marking the entrance to the nature park trails, was inaugurated. Dignitaries, municipal officials, Marilyne Picard, députée for Soulanges and partners were on hand for the occasion. Our team would like to congratulate Daniel Martin, artist sculptor, for his magnificent work. Congratulations also to the Municipalité of Pointe-des-Cascades for initiating this project, and special thanks to the Conseil des arts et de la culture de Vaudreuil-Soulanges (CACVS) for its major financial contribution to this project.
The Ariel Arch, guardian of the park’s biodiversity
The arch marks the beginning of a natural, cultural and artistic journey in a unique environment. Designed by sculptor Daniel Martin, it represents the first public artwork of this scale for this craftsman, who has been working with wood on an amateur basis for many years. The work features a welcome message and representations of animals typical of local and Quebec wildlife, raising public awareness of the importance of cohabiting with them. The project was funded by the Conseil des arts et de la culture de Vaudreuil-Soulanges (CACVS) as part of the Programme d’innovation culturelle et numérique (PICN) 2023. “The CACVS complements other players in cultural development, enriching the municipal cultural offering and diversifying the sources of funding available to the community. In this way, our cultural and digital innovation program serves as a financial lever. In so doing, we are pleased to contribute to the vitality of the community by supporting projects like this one.” Julie Lemieux, President of the Conseil des arts et de la culture de Vaudreuil-Soulanges.
You can admire the work and access the Parc Nature de Pointe-des-Cascades in the heart of the village, behind the Pergola in Parc Saint-Pierre. This is where the Canal Promenade begins, linking Locks 2 and 3 of the Soulanges Canal and leading to the belvedere, the Village des Écluses and the part of the park bordered by the St. Lawrence River and Lake Saint-Louis. Opposite 60 chemin du Fleuve, a free park-and-ride lot lets you leave your car while you discover the nature park’s trails, accessible in summer and winter alike.
“The Soulanges Canal Park is proud to have acted as a financial and technical partner on this project. Mr. Martin’s arch marks the entrance to the
nature park in an efficient and harmonious manner with the immediate environment. The use of wood and metal is reminiscent of the heritage landscape of the Soulanges Canal, and this constitutes a beautiful addition to the village core of Pointe-des-Cascades” underlines Marianne Sigouin-Lebel, director of the Soulanges Canal Park.
Another great cultural and collaborative project in Canal Park!
