Review of the Forges du Saint-Maurice National Historic Site Management Plan — Public Consultation Report — July 2020

• Participants felt the national historic site had insufficient funding for cultural resource conservation, installation maintenance and presentation. They believed more funding should be made available, on the one hand, to upgrade the site, and on the other, to make it more interesting by developing new activities to attract more visitors and ensure sustainable conservation of cultural resources and installations.
• Parks Canada representatives explained that the site has a recurring activity and maintenance budget dependent on special and temporary funding for priority projects. In recent years, nearly $1.7 million has been secured to fund rehabilitation of the Grande Maison, restoration of the lower forge as well as repairs for some trails and the “Devil’s Fountain” following the floods in 2017. Just over $225,000 was also used to improve the visitor experience, including the addition of interpretive media. Planning is underway to use the additional funds in the coming years, and the management team will continue working proactively to secure new funding.

• Several participants felt the site was not entertaining enough. They found the current activity offer insufficient and not promoted adequately. They believe visitors should have more engaging activity opportunities, such as costumed activities. This would help make the site more interesting and welcoming, attracting more visitors.
• Parks Canada representatives explained that several guided activities are already included in the programming, but that they could be better promoted. They also mentioned the possibility of enhancing this programming in coming years. Involvement and collaboration from the cultural tourism industry to bolster site programming would help increase available visitor opportunities. In coming years, Parks Canada wishes to proactively encourage the implementation of activities or events in collaboration with the cultural and tourism industry.

• The consultation participants emphasized the importance for reception infrastructure repair, in particular paving the parking lots and access roads with asphalt. They believe it is obsolete and its condition reflects poorly on the site.
• Parks Canada explained the necessity of prioritizing investments to fund rehabilitation of the most important cultural assets and resources (the Grande Maison, post-flood restoration and protection of the Saint-Maurice river banks, trail and culvert repair, lower forge chimney restorations). For this reason, other assets in a poor or fair state, but still safe, have not benefitted from rehabilitation projects thus far. Over the medium term, public reception infrastructure will benefit from rehabilitation work. However, its scope must still be determined based on the funding earmarked in future budgets.

• Participants asked if it would be possible to review fees for the national historic site to facilitate access for Trois-Rivières residents and partnership activity opportunities.
• Parks Canada representatives explained that fees follow Parks Canada pricing, but there is flexibility in renting space or holding special events. Furthermore, as with other historic sites, a municipality may enter into a lump-sum payment agreement to provide passes to all residents. It is to be noted that since 2018, admission is free for youths aged 17 and under.

• One participant believed the site’s lack of ownership could be remedied through a comprehensive approach promoting and marketing Parks Canada's historic sites. Parks Canada representatives confirmed a willingness to work on the positioning of Parks Canada’s national historic sites in Quebec. The first phase was completed by producing a tourism brochure listing Parks Canada’s national historic sites in Quebec.
• Participants also confirmed that focusing on the site’s “natural” side, on top of its “historic” side, should increase the site’s visibility by reaching people interested more in nature than culture.
• One participant proposed creating activity packages with other regional tourist attractions.

• Several participants believed an event framework should be established by associating the site with existing events or by organizing joint events. Events generate traffic and animate the site, while also infusing it with a sense of life and novelty. They would not be directly related to historical interpretation of the site, which would instead serve as a venue. However, some participants mentioned that they believed Parks Canada’s administrative structure is too cumbersome and could hinder organizing activities or events with third parties.
• Parks Canada is open to organizing collaborative activities or events. In fact, this approach is being implemented in other national historic sites. However, activities or events must respect the Agency’s mandate. Community involvement is critical to the success of this type of initiative. Organizing one or more joint events would be an interesting way to attract more visitors to the site. In coming years, Parks Canada will work proactively to host events in collaboration with the community and create an administrative context more conducive to this type of collaboration.

• Some participants expressed disapproval towards the management team not being locally based and thought this negatively impacted the site’s operation, maintenance and regional positioning.
• Parks Canada representatives explained that the site’s management is decentralized. Field unit management is based in Shawinigan; the site manager, who oversees numerous historic sites, is based in Montréal; and a team of employees, including the interpretation coordinator, is based in Forges du Saint-Maurice. The site also benefits from expertise provided by other Parks Canada services, such as archaeology, collections management and visitor experience. These services are primarily located in Montréal, Quebec and Gatineau.
• During discussions, participants suggested establishing an advisory committee comprised of public and community representatives. This committee could support Parks Canada in site management and would be a way to give the community a voice. Parks Canada welcomed this idea and is considering implementing a mechanism for collaboration with the community.

• Several participants asked why the site could not stay open in winter.
• The Field Unit Superintendent explained that current site attendance did not justify staying open in winter. To stay open would require demonstrating that the site generates significant winter traffic.
• Participants at the June 17 consultation also suggested opening the site over a longer period to host more school groups. They believe that this would strengthen public attachment to the national historic site.

• Participants agreed with the need to foster public ownership of the site. In addition to presenting the history of the Forges, the site should be a source of pride and a gathering place to spend time. Many appreciate the opportunity to have picnics and go for strolls, without necessarily seeing the exhibitions. Some participants mentioned how they already organized family outings on the site in the past few years and greatly appreciated this possibility.

• Several participants mentioned having difficulties experiencing what the site was like in operation. They believe the vestiges do not provide enough immersion into the site’s industrial past. The site resembles a large grassy area with a few vestiges, not an industrial site. Some asked if it would be possible to rebuild buildings, somewhat similar to the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site or the Quebec pioneer village of Drummondville. However, other participants mentioned that several other Quebec locations already reproduce historic villages and a re-enactment at the Forges du Saint-Maurice would not make the site stand out.
• Parks Canada representatives indicated preserving existing cultural resources is the priority. Nevertheless, it may be possible to better publicly communicate the function and appearance of the different vestiges visible on the site in a manner that makes the site’s industrial past more believable. A project is being developed to incorporate new technologies to improve aspects of the visit relating to feeling and experience.

• Several individuals supported the site’s willingness to focus more on its natural setting. This strengthens the sense of ownership over the site since many people regularly visit it, outside the hours of operation, just to enjoy nature. However, one participant mentioned difficulties might arise in making the historic site stand out by only focusing on its natural side. In fact, there are plenty of natural spaces nearby, in particular La Mauricie national park.
• Parks Canada representatives explained this is not about creating a new natural park, but rather about turning the national historic site into a local urban park.
• Several participants asked if it would be possible to reopen trails closed in recent years.
• Parks Canada was required to close walkways for safety reasons and is exploring several options to restore public access to certain natural spaces.

Several activity ideas were proposed by participants:
Perseid meteor shower viewings, a sports event, antique cars, opening of the site for winter activities, citizenship ceremonies, a volunteer association, a sculpture contest, alternative accommodations, a historic restaurant, evening or night hours, costumed tours, a festival, classical music concerts, an annual open house, a Saturday morning interpretation for children, school partnerships. Panels explaining the names of plant species found on the site, birding lectures, BioBlitz and annual cleanups. Releasing a television series and allowing cycling on the site were also suggested.