Floodway recreational project – Duff Roblin Park

Following the flood of the century in 1997, the province announced its intention to expand the floodway capacity. With the floodway gates, and the mouth of the floodway itself being in St-Norbert, we held many conversations in the community about how this project could have a positive impact on the community beyond flood protection. We suggested that we should celebrate the engineering marvel that it is and if we were to move millions of tons of earth, why not look at ways this could be done to include recreational opportunities when the floodway is not being used during flood events. In 2004, the community was mobilized and with our partners, we lobbied government and the Floodway Expansion Authority to consider options. There was much pushback but eventually after doing public consultations, undertaking studies, and submitting reports to government, in 2007, with Mr. Roblin present, it was announced that an investment would be made. Everything takes time and, in this case, 16 years, but eventually an active transportation trail from St-Norbert to Birds Hill Park was installed and in 2020, the new Duff Roblin Park was unveiled.