October 28, 2022 | News

Inauguration of Sara’s Enchanted Forest – Reading Garden

On Friday, October 21, the City of Pointe-Claire inaugurated Sara’s Enchanted Forest – Reading Garden.

The ceremony took place in the presence of Mayor Tim Thomas, councillors Cynthia Homan, Kelly Thorsdad-Cullen and Bruno Tremblay, Friends of the Library, and the family of Sara Hmouz, the young woman after whom the garden is named.

Located behind the Central Library, this reading garden inspired by magic and fantasy will become a place where young and old alike will enjoy a moment of reading in nature.

The idea of a reading garden was dear to the hearts of the Friends of the Library. Sara’s Enchanted Forest was born following the sad passing of an avid reader, Sara Hmouz, at the age of 22. The young resident of Pointe-Claire wanted her savings to contribute to a project at the library, a place she visited regularly. Sara was particularly fond of the Harry Potter stories, so the City teams created a garden where reading and fantasy come together. Her family and the Friends of the Library contributed financially to create this small, peaceful and secluded corner, perfect for reading.

The garden’s entrance is through a solemn passage under an arch proudly displaying the garden’s name. Next spring, fascinating new plants will complete the mysterious decor of this warm space, where funny mushrooms and logs serve as seats.

Immediately after the inauguration ceremony, Sara’s family looked on fondly as a group of happy children made themselves comfortable in the reading garden and tested the facilities during a royalty and fantasy-themed story time accompanied by the fairy Jacynthe and Princess Catherine.

The general public, young and old, is invited to adopt the reading garden as a place of reflection, relaxation and daydreaming.

Inauguration ceremony

Ribbon cutting by the mayor, councillors and the Hmouz family
From left to right: Kelly Thorstad-Cullen (district 3), Cynthia Homan (district 5), Mayor Tim Thomas, Imad and Ahmed Hmouz, Haifa El-Sadi, Bruno Tremblay (district 6)