There are dirt piles, and then there are dirt piles! This one—on the Common, near the skatepark—falls into the latter category. It’s huge! And it’s growing foliage! Daaamn, son!

Remarks: This jolly grey giant was excavated during skatepark construction. The soil was found to contain high levels of arsenic and the province wouldn’t allow the city to haul it away. The clean up is expensive—about $100 per cubic metre—but the money has been requested in next year’s budget (not yet approved). “Our intention always was to deal with it,” says Conley. “We just don’t have the money right now.”

Who’s Responsible?: Kevin Conley, supervisor with the HRM parks department. 490-6193.

This article appears in Dec 6-12, 2007.