Parc D’Argenson in the city’s South-Ouest Borough is slated to undergo decontamination and redevelopment to create an active space for residents. Highlights of the rejuvenated park will include the installation of the island’s first permanent asphalt pumptrack, a dog park, and offer biodiverse green space.

The City of Montreal received financial assistance of $930,964 from the Quebec Government’s ClimatSol-Plus – Volet 1 program, which will allow the cleanup of 8,350 square meters of contaminated land in the park. The grant represents nearly 51 per cent of the total cost of the park’s redevelopment, estimated at $1,834,871.

Bringing citizens together

Located at the corner of Atwater Ave. and du Centre St., the park will retain its baseball diamond and include a dog park with furniture and plantings, a relaxation area with hammocks, the development of trails and signage, as well as lighting for greater safety. At the centre of the park will be a section with outdoor gym equipment for those wishing to train outside.

Montreal’s first asphalt pumptrack

The borough will also build the first asphalt pumptrack in Montreal. The closed-loop course will keep riders active during warm months and have space for various levels and ages. Using the course’s back-to-back bumps and banked turns, users of a pumptrack “pump” using their body to gain speed and propel themselves around the track — without having to pedal or skate.

The project will integrate three separate tracks connected to each other, allowing users of all levels to have fun in a safe environment. The tracks will be suitable for bikes, inline skates, skateboards, sport wheelchairs, and scooters. The course has been created to allow users to develop their skills, creativity, and social development with the community.

Credit: Tessier Récréo-Parc

Ecological transition

A rain garden will also be set up to manage runoff water and act as a retention basin so that it does not end up in the city’s sewer system. To add to the park’s canopy, more than 70 trees and hundreds of perennials will be planted to increase biodiversity and shade on the site.

“With the greening of the property and the proposed development, which will follow the decontamination, Parc D’Argenson will get a new lease on life,” said Benoit Dorais, borough mayor and chair of Montreal’s executive committee. “The importance of Montreal’s parks was highlighted like never before in the past year, and our administration continues its efforts to offer residents more and more green spaces.”

Work will begin this summer and is scheduled to be completed in 2022.