Residents of the Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension borough voiced a collective request on Monday for the City of Montreal and Tennis Canada to revisit the development plans for Jarry Park. The appeal, issued early in the day, emphasizes that the current proposals do not align with the needs of the neighbourhood and its active youth sports groups.
The municipal and national tennis bodies have put forward a revamp of Jarry Park that features new tennis facilities intended to modernise the site. The plan envisions expanded courts and associated infrastructure, aiming to enhance the park’s role as a tennis venue within the city.
Local families and youth baseball players, who regularly use the park’s fields, have expressed concern that the proposed changes could limit existing recreational space. They argue that the redesign prioritises tennis at the expense of other community activities, reducing the accessibility of the grounds for baseball and other outdoor pursuits that have long been part of the borough’s daily life.
In response, the residents are calling on municipal officials and Tennis Canada to adjust the redevelopment scheme so that it better reflects the diverse uses of the park. They seek a plan that preserves space for youth baseball while still accommodating new tennis amenities, thereby ensuring that the park continues to serve a broad cross‑section of local users.