First, it’s important to note that the City has numerous markets offering secondhand items:

•       Three biweekly markets organized by the City (2xRiponne / Chauderon)

•       One monthly market organized by the Calabash Association (Riponne)

•       Five garage sales organized throughout the year by the Association des Amis du Chibre (4 in Flon / 1 in SAN)

•       About fifteen garage sales organized throughout the year by individuals or associations (various neighborhoods)

•       About twenty markets dedicated to used books and records organized throughout the year by the UBR (Europe and Ouchy)

•       Several clothing sales organized throughout the year by individuals (various locations)

•       The annual large garage sale organized by the Association Sous-Gare (Milan)

This large number of events regularly leads to complaints from participating merchants because, in their view, supply is disproportionate to demand.

Organizing a flea market, even on a small scale (for example, about twenty booths), requires a large area, particularly because of the vehicles used to transport equipment and merchandise. In this regard, Place Milan does not have sufficient paved areas, which would require setting up the stalls on the grassy areas—with all the discomfort this would cause in case of inclement weather and potential damage to the vegetation.

Place Milan is very popular with families, children, and athletes for recreational, playful, and athletic activities. A market would encroach on the spaces used by these users, potentially leading to neighborhood conflicts.

Organizing an additional market requires resources, particularly for staffing during the operational phase—an issue that is even more acute when such an event takes place on a Saturday.

The Parks and Public Lands Department has also taken a position on this idea of a flea market and has expressed its opposition to holding such an event at Place Milan. In particular, it notes that the park’s primary function—to offer city residents a peaceful place with scenic and aesthetic value—would be compromised.

In conclusion, while the idea of a monthly flea market at Place Milan may seem appealing at first glance, the assessment shows that the constraints and inconveniences of such an event make it advisable to abandon this project.