Planter pot or parking spot? Trees in the street divide Plateau residents | Montreal Gazette

Conversations with 20 nearby residents conducted by The Gazette reveal divided opinions on the initiative.

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Team planter box or Team parking spot?

A debate has emerged among residents of Montreal’s Plateau—Mont-Royal about turning parking spaces into green areas.

Last week, residents noticed four new planter boxes — each measuring six feet by 30 feet — housing single trees and occupying former parking spots along their streets. This move is part of an initiative to plant 1,000 trees in the Plateau, says Councillor Maeva Vilain, who is leading the project. Because of the narrowness of the streets, adding greenery sometimes requires sacrificing parking access.

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Conversations with 20 nearby residents conducted by The Gazette reveal divided opinions on the initiative.

“I think it’s a waste of resources,” said Peter Mika, a resident of Coloniale Ave. for more than three decades. “There used to be more accessible and partially free parking here, but it’s just been gobbled up.

“I understand the spirit of beautifying the city, but at the sacrifice of six parking spots? That’s a little ridiculous,” he said.

Many in the pro-parking camp criticize the planter boxes as “ugly” and point to their hefty price tag: $32,000 each. Supporters, however, argue that the added greenery enlivens the neighbourhood.

McGill students, Shai Rotbard-Seelig and Daniel Harris, are on Team planter box.

“Pro-planter box, absolutely,” Rotbard-Seelig said. “We love the plants; they bring life to the neighbourhood. We don’t drive, so parking isn’t a concern for us.”

Vilain, a member of Valérie Plante’s Projet Montréal, says the project is crucial in the area’s efforts to tackle climate change, stressing the importance of trees for providing shade, enhancing biodiversity and managing water naturally.

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The introduction of the street garden is not the first green initiative in the Plateau, with bike lanes on St-Denis St. and pedestrian-friendly areas on Mont-Royal Ave. and Duluth St. coming under Plante’s tenure.

Vilain said the new project follows a successful pilot in 2020 in the Plateau and reflects a broader philosophy to encourage public transit use where possible.

“Everyone who is physically able to use alternatives to cars should have that option. We want to create a safe neighbourhood where people can walk, use public transportation or cycle,” she said. “This will reduce car usage among those who can choose alternatives, allowing those with no choice due to physical limitations to still use their cars.”

But some residents remain skeptical.

“Well-intentioned, but poorly executed,” Patrick Bermundez said.

He acknowledged the importance of environmental initiatives, but questioned the tangible benefits of the newly planted trees amid increasing street inaccessibility. He said he believes the community needs more support during this adjustment period.

More trees are planned for Plateau streets in 2025. In the meantime, Vilain urges residents to be patient. While the initial view of the planter boxes may be dominated by concrete borders, thriving trees and lush vegetation will develop over time, she said.

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