Annual update of the Management Plan—2022 Season

Coteau-du-Lac National Historic Site

 
A guide costumes in military uniform shows a cannon to teenagers.
Coteau-du-Lac National Historic Site
 
 

Parks Canada manages one of the finest and most extensive networks of protected natural and historic sites in the world. The Agency’s mandate is to commemorate, protect and present these places for the benefit and enjoyment of current and future generations.

The Coteau-du-Lac National Historic Site Management Plan, which came into effect in 2018, defines the long-term vision and guides the site's management. This Implementation Report presents Canadians with the actions and accomplishments Parks Canada has put in place in 2022 to achieve the vision, strategies and objectives of the 2018 Management Plan.

KEY STRATEGY #1: TURN THE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE INTO A VITAL AREA OF CONVERGENCE FOR THE COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL PARTNERS

Objective: Renew and expand our collaboration with stakeholders, Indigenouscommunities, and partners to organize activities and events that align with the site’s vocation.

The organization of Canada Day and an introduction to camping were carried out in partnership with the town of Coteau-du-Lac in July. Archaeology Month was celebrated with the Soulanges Canal Regional Park, with which Parks Canada also collaborated to implement a guided bike tour and a new "Xplorers" thematic activity booklet. The site also took part in the region's nautical festival. 2022 also marked the return of the introduction to camping activity in July, a national program that had around 40 participants.

Objective: Integrate the national historic site into regional tourism development.

The site is present at the Media Exchange and participated in the 2022 Bike Show in collaboration with Parks Canada's Quebec Waterways Unit and the Regional Tourism Association. An advertising campaign shared on Facebook with Tourisme Montérégie promoted visiting the site. The site is also featured on Tourisme Montérégie's Vélo map. Finally, a joint promotion was carried out with the regional county municipality of Vaudreuil-Soulanges, most notably on the new Xplorer project. The site took part in the major survey on sustainable tourism in Vaudreuil Soulanges with the firm Périscope.

The website had 10,418 visitors and 21,611 page views. Social media coverage of the 11 bilingual publications totalled 16,877 copies.

KEY STRATEGY # 2: PROMOTE THE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE’S SIGNIFICANCE AS A HERITAGE CENTRE.

Objective: Improve the public’s understanding of the site’s heritage value and present the diversity of historical perspectives through interpretation services.

The new Xplorers program in partnership with the Soulanges Canal Regional Park on the theme of canalization diversifies the historical perspectives presented to visitors.

Objective: Continue to ensure the protection of cultural resources.

The site is continuously maintained, with inspection visits by various experts, and a preventive conservation plan is currently being updated.

CONCLUSION—NEXT STEPS

The Parks Canada Agency is proud of its 2022 achievements at the Coteau-du-Lac National Historic Site. Efforts to enrich the service offer, active collaboration with partners and integration of the site into the region all contribute to promoting the heritage of Coteau-du-Lac and Parks Canada's mandate.

In the coming year, the site will continue to implement the objectives identified in the 2018 Management Plan. These initiatives will support site promotion, attract more visitors and reaffirm the commitment of Parks Canada to preserving and showcasing this important part of the country’s history for the enjoyment of present and future generations.

 
Panorama of the Coteau-du-Lac national historic site, with archaeological digs in the foreground and the blockhouse in the background.

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