[ECO]The Benefits of Sponge Parks

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The benefits of sponge parks are that they manage stormwater and reduce flooding by mimicking natural water absorption processes.

As the effects of climate change amplify, Montreal and its surrounding areas are experiencing fluctuating weather patterns. In addition to heat waves, the city is seeing more flash flooding due to intense rain.

To address these issues, the City of Montreal is building sponge parks around the city to absorb the rainfall and runoff water.

Sponge parks are innovative urban green spaces. The benefits of sponge parks are that they manage stormwater and reduce flooding by mimicking natural water absorption processes. These parks are engineered to capture, filter, and slowly release rainwater into the ground rather than allowing it to run off into sewers or waterways. Doing so helps mitigate the effects of heavy rainfall, improve water quality, and enhance urban environments.

Sponge parks are built with absorbent materials, such as porous pavements, gravel, or specially designed soils, that allow water to seep through and be absorbed into the ground. These

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with various vegetation, including grasses, shrubs, and trees, which help absorb water and slow its movement. The plants also filter pollutants from the water, improving the quality of any runoff that does occur.

By absorbing and retaining rainwater, sponge parks help reduce the risk of

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in urban areas, particularly during heavy storms. They act as a buffer, preventing excess water from overwhelming storm drains and damaging infrastructure.

In addition to managing stormwater, additional benefits of sponge parks providing green space for recreation and contributing to urban biodiversity. They improve air quality, reduce urban heat island effects, and enhance the aesthetic appeal of city environments.

In the fall of 2023, Montreal announced plans to build 30 sponge parks and 400 more sponge sidewalks over two years.

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will cover an area of about 4300 square metres, which is equivalent to more than ten basketball courts.

The future site of Montreal’s newest sponge park is already a

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dense urban landscape. This open lawn, situated next to one of the city’s drinking water treatment facilities between two of Verdun’s busiest avenues, is a popular spot for picnics and recreation.

However, as a flat, low-lying area, it does little to prevent flash flooding during heavy rains. The transformation into a sponge park aims to preserve and enhance its recreational value and improve stormwater infiltration through functional landscaping.

Local officials announced that drainage tree pits will be installed throughout the park to facilitate water infiltration into the soil. These pits are designed to temporarily hold over one million litres of rainwater—exceeding 40% of an Olympic swimming pool’s capacity—marking Montreal’s first project of this scale. Additionally, the street will incorporate more than 305 m² of sponge-like infrastructure in vegetated draining pits. The project is expected to be completed during the fall of 2025.

Other benefits of sponge parks around the city are that some have retention capacities of between 160,000 – 627,000 liters of stormwater and runoff. The City of Montreal hopes that every park or sidewalk that needs to be renovated or fixed will be turned into a sponge sidewalk or sponge park.

With climate change’s effects worsening, the City of Montreal is taking important steps to mitigate against flash flooding and intense storms. The benefits of sponge parksand sidewalks not only reduce the risks of flooding but also help add greenery to the urban environment in a very simple way.

While Montreal is not the only city experiencing the impact of extreme weather events, there is hope that the idea of sponge parks and sidewalks will expand to other cities in Canada and across the world and that we will see more sustainable and resilient cities in the future.

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