Saturday Photo: More than 6000 Signaturs, and the Garden Backs Down

Montreal's Jardin botanique, as I've been saying here recently, is one of the loveliest places around.  Evenn this morning, with a steady rain falling, Jeanne would have spent the whole day there.  We passed by only for a short time, however, just long enough show our support for the petition started two weeks ago, which now has more than 6,000 signatures.

It was started to protest a major increase in entrance fees this summer. Previously Montreal residents with the $8 Accès Montréal card could visit the outside gardens at any time for free.  But during a big exhibition of horiticultural sculptures from June 22 to September 29, the garden was planning charging $18.75 for two entries, with even higher fees for non-cardholders.

The reaction appears to have surprised city and garden officials into action: a "compromise" was proposed this week which will allow cardholders to buy a $25 pass that will allow unlimited acces. 

Not enough, I say.  Nothing better is in the cards, I'd guess, too.  But at least the citizen action got a little change.  Here's the link to the Facebook page Elin and I started and to the petition (which will close on Monday.)