By municipal law suburbs have to have a certain amount of public open space. More or less behind our house is a large open field with this storm-water canal running through it. I've often seen people just sitting in the field, enjoying the sun, chatting with friends. I've also seen this little canal severely flooded during heavy rains, changing what is now a gentle stream into a fierce torrent. It's strange how a peaceful and beautiful place can so easily change into a terrible and scary one.