News Release
Two Major Parks Re-opened After Post Hurricane Clean-up
(Thursday, December 11, 2003)-- Pathways and trails in two of HRM's major parks have been declared safe allowing the municipality to re-open the two properties effective today. The sites affected are Shubie Park in Dartmouth and Sir Sandford Flemming Park in Halifax.
"We know how much the community values our park system, so we have been working hard to make the properties safe and accessible. These re-openings will allow residents on both sides of the harbour to once again enjoy walks on wooded trails," Peter Bigelow, Manager of Real Property Planning said.
While the pathways in the two parks are open and safe, some work will be continuing in the wooded areas off the trails. This work involves the cleaning up of debris and damaged trees.
"We encourage people to stay on the trails in these parks. Walking into the woods presents risks. As winter storms pass through the area trees that may have been weakened by Hurricane Juan could suffer further damage and be at risk of coming down or dropping limbs," Mr. Bigelow said.
HRM staff will be monitoring conditions throughout the winter months and will respond accordingly if new safety hazards appear following storms or other bad weather.
Today's re-opening of the two parks means that just over half of HRM's 1,200 parks, sports fields, playgrounds, trails and green spaces have been safely re-opened after cleaning up hurricane damage. On December 9, HRM announced that with only one exception, all 600 of its sports fields and playgrounds were safe and officially re-opened. The only exception is Wentworth Playground, on Green St. in Dartmouth where clean-up and repair work continues.
Work continues in the remaining properties. News of additional openings will be sent to the news media and posted on HRM's web site at www.halifax.ca
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For further information, contact:
Peter Bigelow, Manager of Real Property Planning
490-6047
