Park Closure

Birding!

Bird Walk and Talk

Sonya and Sean are walking 24,000 km across Canada on the Great Trail (Trans Canada Trail) to connect families, youth, and individuals to nature through birding. Come join us for a short bird walk along the Great Trail, learn about
some the birds in this area, become a citizen scientist with some neat free Apps and hear some of their stories from the trail.

Date: 30 August 2019 Time: 6 pm

Location: Cole Harbour Heritage Park 256 Bissett road

Website: www.comewalkwithus.online

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WalkWithUsAcrossCanada/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TransCanadaWalk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comewalkwithusonthegreattrail/

Formalizing the HRM Trail Strategy

In January, HRM issued Future Roles and Responsibilities of Community Trails Associations with Respect to Active Transportation Facilities

Over the past 20 years CHPTA has been working with HRM and the province to establish and maintain trails in our area. This work has evolved rather ad-hoc and is becoming more and more challenging for all volunteer groups. We've worked very hard in a sometimes uncertain arrangement.  This report proposes updates to trail management agreements and recognizes some significant challenges. 

First it acknowledges that groups like CHPTA have built about 75% of the Active transportation trail system largely with HRM funding. In this report CHPTA is recognized as an "operator" for the Shearwater Flyer, Salt Marsh and Heritage Trails and a "Supporter" for the Forest Hills and Bissett Trails. 

HRM primarily funds what it calls Active Transportation trails - those trails that directly connect home with work, shopping and school. The report recognizes that a comprehensive trail system that includes recreational trails (just about all other trails including those in the Cole Harbour Heritage Park) is vital to a healthy sustainable community.  The most significant aspect is the development of an up to date Administrative Order that will go a long way to streamlining funding processes and better outline HRM and community group rights and responsibilities. 

Part of the Administration Order will tackle the long standing issue of Municipal/Provincial cooperation - an area that desperately needs improving. The linked document is a relatively quick read and represents a significant step forward along with a formal recognition of the vital role groups like CHPTA play in providing safe and enjoyable trails for citizens and visitors.

Open House

Dates: Saturday, 10 Aug and Sunday, 11 Aug
Times: 10 am until about 5 pm
Where: Under the tent, Salt Marsh Trail

Get to know your Park!

Stop by and learn about

• membership
• navigating the motorized / non-motorized divide
• upcoming public engagement - your participation is vital!
• volunteer opportunities
• information on current projects
• Bissett Trail Greenway connection from Colby Village (Brookview Drive) to Heritage trail at Park entrance
• re-rocking another section of the SMT
• possible Vault Toilet at Park Entrance (now you're talking!)
• extensive maintenance program

Massive prehistoric dragonflies seen in Park

Prehistoric MegaVolvo feeding

This last Monday (22 July) saw work resuming on phase 3 of the Bissett Trail. This section of the Trans Canada Trail will connect the Bissett Trail to the Heritage Trail at the entrance to the Cole Harbour Heritage Park. From the trail access at Brookview Drive the new trail will wend its way over the hill where the Rehab Centre used to be, affording spectacular views of Bissett Lake to the west and the Cole Harbour to the east. A lit pedestrian crosswalk will safely guide trail users across Bissett Road.

 

The new trail is being constructed by HRM as a "Direct Delivery" project with Cole Harbour Parks and Trails Association being a major stakeholder.  It is anticipated that the project will take four weeks to complete.

 

Keep an ear open for the announcement for a Grand Opening this fall. CHPTA intends to acknowledge the large and welcome role that Councillor Lorelei Nicoll played in this project."

Charley Sharkey, CHPTA Capital Projects Chair