Port Hawkesbury, NS – A new proposed park plan is earning high praise from the community and from project participants! Strait-Highlands RDA and its partners, the Town of Port Hawkesbury, the Town Beautification Committee, and the Strait Area Waterfront Development Society, are pleased to announce the completion of a landscape architectural plan for a new park development in the Town of Port Hawkesbury. The location of the proposed park is at the North end of Granville Street (site of the former wastewater treatment facility). The final plan is the culmination of months of research and consultation to ensure that the park plan reflects the history of the community, natural surroundings and the input from residents and stakeholders.

Following a competitive bidding process in 2009, Ekistics Planning and Design was awarded the contract to create the landscape architectural design. Consultation with the community was extensive, including a public workshop, online survey, workshops with local grade five and grade nine classes, as well as interviews with other partners.

The final landscape plan includes many of the ideas generated during the consultation sessions, including elements such as public art, sensory gardens, fitness stations and a natural play area, with attention paid to accessibility, inclusiveness, and the stunning view. It is an ambitious project, involving significant site preparation, plant materials, art and furnishings, and having an overall estimated price tag of $1.8million. Due to the scope of the project, the steering committee worked with the consultant to ensure that the work and costs were planned in three phases that cover a 20-year period.

Diane Johnson-Snook with the Town Beautification Committee expressed her thoughts on the project, "This plan represents a vision for us - we are excited that it showcases the natural assets and potential of the site. The great ideas and suggestions from community members have resulted in a landscape plan that truly reflects the personality and history of our Town." Fran Payne, chair of the Strait Area Waterfront Development Society and participant in the public workshop held last October, expressed her enthusiasm for the project, “The consultant and the steering committee have done an outstanding job ensuring that the park plan is based on the input gathered. The new plan represents an opportunity to create a natural destination for new waterfront boardwalk development.”

With the project planning phase completed, the steering committee members from the Town of Port Hawkesbury, the Town Beautification Committee, and the Strait Area Waterfront Development Society are inviting potential partners to review the plan and provide comments and suggestions. The steering committee is also looking forward to the opportunity to present the new plan to Town Council on March 15, 2010.

The plan is available for download here or you may wish to view a large scale version of the plan by visiting the S-HRDA office at 32 Paint Street.

Contact:

Amanda Mombourquette
Strait-Highlands Regional Development Agency
Phone: 902.625.3929 ext. 4
Email: amanda.mombourquette@strait-highlands.ns.ca