By Lawrence Belanger
Local Journalism Initiative
Sherbrooke is acquiring land in an area known to many as the Ascot-Lennox Forest in order to build a new primary school, as well as to conserve the surrounding woods. According to a press release from the city, an agreement has been reached to acquire 37 plots of land located near Claire-Guillemette-Lamirande Park, which is on Rue Frédéric-Garand in the Ascot district.
The forest is a popular hiking locale for residents of Lennoxville and Ascot, although none of the paths through the woods are official, and much of the land is private property. It is also one of the sole remaining natural areas within Sherbrooke’s urban perimeter. For these reasons, citizens have been organizing to protect its ecological and recreational value.
The Association for the Protection and Enhancement of the Boisé Ascot-Lennox, which has been working to purchase land in the forest, was supportive of the announcement as a whole, but has some concerns regarding the environmental impact of building a school and is waiting to hear more from the city at upcoming municipal council meetings to understand more about the conservation aspects of the plan.
