Author: Cult MTL
Published April 26, 2024

by Lorraine Carpenter, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

The City of Montreal revealed plans this week for an eighth sponge park in the city — the largest one yet, covering 4,300 m² of space, the size of approximately 10 basketball courts.

The absorption capacity of this green space at the corner of Joseph and Dupuis streets in Verdun — which also feature play and leisure areas, a dog park and “a countryside area with planted vegetation” — will be over one million litres.

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante explained the need for sponge parks to reduce the risk of flooding in homes during heavy downpours.

“When there are torrential rains, a sponge park can relieve pressure on the sewers and allow water, which would perhaps go into residents’ basements, to be absorbed by these basins that we create,” Plante said.

“At a time when the whole world is confronted with the consequences of climate change, we have a responsibility to implement concrete measures to adapt to this new reality. We are stepping up our efforts to adapt the territory and protect the quality of life in all of the city’s neighbourhoods, to meet the needs of today and future generations.”

Work on the sponge park in Verdun is due to begin in the next few weeks and be completed in the fall of 2025.

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