SAINT-LAURENT 1946
Aerial photos from 1946 to 2000 show that, until recently, Ville Saint-Laurent was a territory defined by agricultural land parcels, perpendicular to the Rivière des Prairies.
Aerial photos from 1946 are particularly revealing, showing these parcels criss-crossed by several streams and divided by numerous drainage canals.
These creeks and canals are bordered by arboricultural, shrub and herbaceous wasteland. Already, these wastelands offered wildlife places of passage and habitats on this territory whose living environments are fragmented.
SAINT-LAURENT 2017 - BLUE PARCELS
Transformed by this project, the Cavendish and Thimens boulevard axes, traces of Ville Saint-Laurent's agricultural past, become the Parcelles Bleues. Inspired by the water present in various forms on these former agricultural plots, we propose that these axes become both green infrastructure and a place where wildlife and the population can live together. By implementing a network of optimal rainwater management practices, the water present on these two green infrastructures reduces the heat island effect and compensates for the low canopy of the adjacent neighborhoods. These two plots structure and define the identity of a green corridor whose other, singular meshes fit into the urban fabric. The presence of water on the site enables the creation of wetlands favorable to several representative wildlife species (Jérôme Dupras et al., 2016), such as the brown snake and the marsh bunting.
BLUE PARCELS: MAIN PROPOSALS
PLACE FOR WILDLIFE
The network of BMP (Best Management Practices) proposed for the Thimens and Cavendish blue parcels will be made up of ditches, bio-retention, filtering marshes and basins where the water level is maintained to create wetland habitats. Vegetation will be of the herbaceous meadow and shrubland type. These environments are favorable to the following three representative species: red fox, brown snake and marsh bunting. The installation of small and medium-sized wildlife tunnels will enable these three species to move north-south. In terms of detail, the proposal incorporates riprap for snake thermoregulation and nesting boxes for marsh buntings.
Linking the Parcelles, the east-west forest corridor proposes the creation of a forest edge. Created in Parc Philippe-Laheurte, on the outskirts of Cavendish and along Rue Poirier, this forest edge will increase the area of habitat for two representative species: the ashy salamander and the crowned warbler.
PLACE FOR VEGETABLE DIVERSITY
Native grassland vegetation covers the Thimens and Cavendish parcels. Clumps of shrubs intersperse this vast expanse of herbaceous prairie, enriching the diversity of habitats and punctuating the walker's stroll.
Trees of typical forest species are planted along the southern and eastern edges of Parc Philippe-Laheurte, as well as to the east of the Boisé Marcel Laurin, to create an east-west forest corridor.
PLACE FOR THE PUBLIC
CAVENDISH PARCEL - URBAN WILDLIFE PARK
A safe, stimulating and inviting pathway links the Côte-Virtue threshold to the Poirier threshold. This path allows citizens to walk through the grassy meadow to access the main public transport destinations, shops and municipal services. The route is punctuated by safe intersections and stopping places. At the heart of the civic space within the plots, a large community garden is proposed in the block opposite Parc Bourbonnière. This park acts as a connection between the residential area east of Cavendish Boulevard and the community garden on the blue parcel. This intersection is currently heavily used by residents to access the Place Vertu shops.
THIMENS PARCEL - NATURE PARK
The Thimens parcel offers a linear transit route with very few wildlife habitats. In this vast herbaceous meadow, interspersed with tall shrubs, walkers will have the opportunity to observe wildlife and enjoy the shimmering colors and luminous contrasts offered by the site's plant diversity. For these reasons, small lookouts and stopping points are provided for walkers. Strolling through the blocks of plots, you'll skirt the valleys, cross the marshes, bio-retention canals and ponds.
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