Sackville, Nova Scotia
First settled in August 1749 by Captain John Gorham, acting on orders from Governor Edward Cornwallis to establish a military fort named Fort Sackville (The community was named after George Germain, 1st Viscount Sackville. Lower Sackville is now one of the fastest growing communities in Nova Scotia, and contains a mix of residential and commercial development in the Sackville River valley, immediately north of the former town of Bedford.
Before amalgamation into the Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996, Lower Sackville was an unincorporated part of Halifax County. This area of HRM experienced a 7% population growth rate between 1996-2001. In the 1950s and 60s it was a popular destination for Haligonians seeking entertainment at the drive-in theater, WW2 bomber plane ice cream attraction and Sackville Downs harness racing track which provided entertainment until it closed in 1986.
The community’s growth reflects its central location, near both Halifax and Dartmouth, with easy access to Highway 102, Highway 101 and Halifax Stanfield International Airport. Proximity to downtown Halifax and Burnside and Bayers Lake Industrial Parks gives the suburbs of Lower Sackville the advantages of employment opportunities and services of a larger city, and is typical of most commuter communities experiencing growth in North America.
Lower Sackville has experienced ribbon/strip-style commercial development since the 1960s. Current retail chains include Sobeys, Atlantic Superstore, Canadian Tire, Dollarama and Giant Tiger. There are numerous independent retailers located in this area as well. Most of the restaurants in the area are of the fast food or family dining variety, in addition to others offering Chinese-Canadian food and pizza.Lower Sackville has always displayed an abundance of community spirit, and excelled within the HRM as a strong leader of excellence in sports as well as academics.
Recreational pursuits in the community revolve around sports fields at local schools and parks, as well as the Sackville Sports Stadium, which is equipped with two swimming pools, gymnasium, curling rink, and one of Lower Sackville’s two ice hockey arenas. The majority of Lower Sackville’s suburbs were built in the 1970s on the southern edge of First Lake which offers outdoor recreational opportunities. The Bedford-Sackville Connector Greenway is a crushed gravel covered trail running beside the Sackville River from the intersection of Cobequid Road and Sackville Drive to Bedford Place Mall.
Local Schools:
- Sackville High School
- Cavalier Drive Elementary School
- Millwood Elementary School
- Sackville Heights Junior High School
- Sackville Heights Elementary School
Purcell’s Cove and Herring Cove, Nova Scotia
Purcell’s Cove is a community within the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada, on the west side of Halifax Harbour from the Northwest Arm to Ferguson’s Cove along Route 253. Purcell’s Cove is named after Bill Purcell who ferried people to and from Halifax in the 1940s.
Purcell’s Cove Road real estate has developed into a prime real estate location in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Just past the Armdale Rotary The drive is very scenic, with several yacht clubs, historic forts, and breathtaking ocean views.
The Backlands Hiking Trail:
The Backlands encompass 1350 hectares between Williams Lake, Colpitt Lake, McIntosh Run, Powers Pond, Herring Cove and Purcell’s Cove roads. Trails and access points (except the protected area) are unmarked and unofficial. Exploring here requires navigational, ecological and land ownership considerations.
This ecologically unique land is composed of granite and bluestone glacially sculpted rock. The area had been used as a quarry from the mid-late 1700s through to the 20th century. Much of the stone used to construct Halifax’s fortified defences and historic buildings was quarried from this area.
York Redoubt National Historic Site:
High on a bluff overlooking the entrance to Halifax Harbour sits a fortification that has helped protect this historic port throughout three centuries of Canadian history. Part of Halifax’s formidable Defence Complex, York Redoubt was constructed in 1793 just as war broke out between Britain and France. Perched on a bluff at the narrowest point of the outer harbour, it offers superb views. Bring your camera and zest for adventure.
Herring Cove:
A little further along the coast from Purcell’s Cove is Herring Cove. It is situated on the eastern shore of the Chebucto Peninsula, 15 kilometres south of Downtown Halifax. It is near the western approaches to Halifax Harbour, and can be reached both via Purcell’s Cove along the coastal road and from inland via the Herring Cove Road through Spryfield. There are local amenities in Herring Cove and two schools in Herring Cove, William King Elementary and Herring Cove Junior High.
Prospect, Nova Scotia
Prospect is a coastal community on the Chebucto Peninsula in the Halifax Regional Municipality,Nova Scotia. Located 22km from Bayers Lake Business Park, Halifax on the western shore it was founded by Irish and English fishermen in the 1750’s. For the past 250 years the families who settled here have carved out a living amongst the rocky shores and continue to do so today.
The peninsula at Prospect is a jewel, located in the heart of Nova Scotia’s most stunning ocean playground. The hiking trails at Indian Point reveal spectacular ocean vistas and monumental islands of rock that inspire
both awe and respect for Canada’s natural beauty. The pristine and historic village of Prospect is a wonderful place to explore, and it also provides a perfect launch site for kayaking the islands and islets that dot the surrounding area.
Peggy’s Cove:
Only 28 minutes form the spectacular rock formations of Peggy’s Cove, it offers everything you could
want for year round or summertime ocean living. In this small fishing village, 19km from the Peninsula
at Bayside, you can see rock formations that have attracted nature-lovers from around the world.
Combined with the somber beauty of the Swiss Air Monument a mile down the coast, this stretch of
ocean and rugged, rocky coastline remains one of Canada’s truly natural wonders.
Granite Springs Golf:
Golf enthusiasts will be rewarded with the challenging and lush 18 hole championship course at Granite Springs, only 1.6km. The Granite Springs Golf Club is a Championship18 hole course with an elevation that overlooks the Atlantic ocean, Granite Springs offers golf enthusiasts a truly wonderful golfing experience.
Sea Kayaking:
Kayaking the islands and islets off the Peninsula at Bayside offers an incredible variety of natural beauty. These sheltered routes, amongst seal colonies and bird sanctuaries,provide an opportunity to experience the diversity of wildlife found on Nova Scotia’s South Shore.
Area Schools:
Atlantic Memorial (PR-05)
Brookside (06-09)
Halifax West (10-12)
Lunenburg is a port town in Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia, Canada. Situated on the province’s South Shore, it is located on the Fairhaven Peninsula at the western side of Mahone Bay.The town is approximately 90 kilometres southwest of the county boundary with the Halifax Regional Municipality.
Lunenburg is steeped in art, music and culture. it has an active heritage society, book clubs, writing clubs, a museum that always exceeds expectations and a robust community of artists. Lunenburg boasts some of the finest restaurants in the Maritimes yet you will find that favourite little coffee shop or a pub to meet with friends and family. Art galleries are found on almost every street and live theatre or musical event is never far away.
There are festivals galore such as Folk Harbour Music Festival, Festival of Crafts, Folk Art Festival, Street Festival,Newfie Days, Schooner Races and a magical Santa Claus Parade. Music Royale presents world famous classical musicians year round in the National Heritage St. John’s Anglican Church and the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival features folk,world, jazz and rock artists throughout the year, though the main event is during the warm nights of August.
Recreation is abundant. Tennis courts, a curling rink, bowling alley, swimming pool and a community centre overflow with stimulating activities. We have a golf course with one of the finest views in the world (Lunenburg), hiking trails and a historic working waterfront which is gradually revealing its charms. Lunenburg has an active ship-building industry and was the home port of that historic and majestic schooner on the Canadian dime, the Bluenose.Lunenburg Harbour is home to the tall ship Picton Castle and a popular a port-of-call for many touring Tall Ships and recreational vessels.
Lunenburg has wonderful neighbours in the small beautiful historic towns of Chester and Mahone Bay, and the larger town of Bridgewater, an active community 15-20 minutes away which contains the big shopping stores as well as a multiplex theatre.
Local Schools:
Bluenose Academy
Lunenburg Academy
Lunenburg School of Arts
South Shire Waldorf School & Kindergarten
Ketch Harbour is a rural fishing and residential community on the Chebucto Peninsula in the Halifax Regional Municipality on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean on Route 349, 17 kilometers from Halifax.
It is currently inhabited by people who, for the most part,commute to Halifax and its surrounding areas to work. The community has been an important fishing spot for well over two hundred years. It is situated close to the City of Halifax at a time when most travelled by boat. A fisherman’s catch could be easily transported to Halifax by water for sale in the city’s markets. This convenience made it one of the earliest spots to be settled following the colonization of Halifax in 1749.
Nature has blessed Halifax area with sandy beaches, rugged shorelines and colourful gardens. This fine location was the site of the first British town in Canada, founded in 1749. Since then, the area has evolved to be home for a diverse mix of people. Charming fishing villages, farming communities and Atlantic Canada’s largest city.
Culinary & Wine
Fresh, local foods and wine paired with expert chefs makes Halifax a popular and unique culinary destination. From the oldest farmer’s market in North America to having some of the freshest seafood available, Halifax is a delight for your taste buds.
Entertainment & Music
From comedy clubs to pubs playing traditional Maritime music, to major festivals like the TD Halifax Jazz Festival and the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, Halifax entertainment delivers on lively options year-round.
Outdoor Activity
Halifax offers outdoor activities to suit everyone – sea kayaking, rock climbing, snow shoeing, kilometers of hiking,sailing, surfing, skiing, and golf, just to name a few. Or if running is more your style, the Scotia Bank Blue Nose Marathon is the biggest annual race weekend in Atlantic Canada.
Arts & Culture
Home to one of the oldest Art colleges in North America, Halifax’s arts and culture scene is rich and alive. From art galleries, to live theatre, to the many cultural Halifax festivals, including the International Busker Festival and the Atlantic Film Festival, Halifax has got the scene covered.
