Since last May, The National Battlefields Commission has been overseeing selective tree and shrub cutting to honour the vision of Frederick G. Todd, the landscape architect who designed The Battlefields Park in 1909. He wanted to surprise visitors and direct their gaze with the impression of vastness. To preserve the creator's original concept, the Commission will undertake landscape restoration work, including a second round of thinning, in the coming weeks. The targeted areas will be reforested with less-invasive and slower-growing species. Part of the park's intangible heritage, these vistas offer unique perspectives and breathtaking views of the river.

• The Green Environment Service of the Commission is responsible for the general upkeep of trees in the park, including species and specimen selection. As the vegetation was left to grow over many years, some parts of the park no longer showcase its heritage, and some views have been obstructed. The Commission is overseeing the process to ensure that cutting and reforestation work meets all applicable standards.

• The zones that have been identified and marked for clear lines of sight are mainly along the cliff, around Grey Terrace, Martello Tower 1, the western loop of Cap-aux-Diamants avenue, and in Des Braves Park. Initial work also affected Pierre-Dugua-de-Mons Terrace and the Governors' Stand. The Commission has committed to replant the same number of trees felled on its territory to ensure that the natural character of the park is preserved.

• The park has more than 30 000 trees, representing over 116 species. It is a natural landscape, artfully designed and managed according to the nature and history of each sector. The landscape architect sought to work in harmony with nature to illustrate the location's original features and highlight the splendour of the site and its points of interest.

• The Commission is overseeing the preservation and enhancement of The Battlefields Park, an impressive urban park among the most prestigious in the world. A major green space in the heart of the city, this premier gathering site welcomes over four million people every year.

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Nathalie Allaire
Outreach and Media Relations Officer, Communications Division
The National Battlefields Commission
418-648-4801, nathalie.allaire@ccbn-nbc.gc.ca