Rooted in the vision in the master plan for Jean Drapeau Park, the redesign of the Plaine des jeux (playing field) and the Grande Poudrière ponds reaffirms the iconic character of Montreal’s oldest public park. The design team succeeded in the delicate task of combining restoration and rehabilitation using techniques that respect the park’s heritage elements while also meeting contemporary requirements. These key sectors of St. Helen’s Island provide high-quality landscapes with restored and accessible buildings and structures, as well as densely and diversely vegetated areas that help maintain connections among ecosystems. The coherence of the materials used and the selection of native plants reinforce the site’s identity while providing high-quality visitor spaces and wildlife habitat. The bridges and walkways of the restored ponds provide vistas for enjoying the revived charm of the landscapes conceived by Frederick G. Todd.
