Depave Paradise creates vibrant, healthy communities by transforming unwanted asphalt into green space. 

Removing asphalt and concrete at neighbourhood workbees is an exciting new trend that renews neglected urban spaces. The hands-on depaving process captures the hearts and energies of community members who work together to make their surroundings more liveable. Depave Paradise demonstration projects make permanent positive changes to neighbourhoods and encourage others to consider depaving on their own.

Why Depave?

Hard surfaces, such as driveways, parking lots and buildings interrupt the natural water cycle by preventing rain water from soaking into the ground and creating heat sinks, warming up our cities. By removing pavement and replacing it with native plants, trees and shrubs we increase the infiltration rate, recharge our groundwater supply, and cool our neighbourhoods. 

What is Stormwater?
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Stormwater is the rain or snow that falls on cities and towns and eventually washes into our storm drains and sewers. Along the way it picks up a host of toxic chemicals, bacteria, and contaminants. Think about everything you find on the pavement: oil and grease, pet waste, litter, salt in winter. These things all mix with the water that then proceeds to flow through our drains, untreated, back into our rivers and lakes. Visit www.slowrain.ca to learn a lot more about stormwater.

Depave Paradise In Kingston!

Red Squirrel has helped depave almost 400 m2 in Kingston! This year, we're continuing this trend with more depaving projects like the one we did at the Boys & Girls Club of Kingston in 2015. If you'd like to volunteer at our upcoming depave events, contact us today!