Media Room

News Release

HRM's Newest Park Officially Opened

(Friday, June 25/04) -- Bedford area residents have a new recreation destination this summer. Halifax Regional Municipality's newest park- Sandy Lake Park- was officially opened today.

Mayor Peter Kelly; Honourable Peter Christie, Minister of Finance and MLA for Bedford; Councillor Len Goucher and Warren Hutt, president of the Bedford Lion's Club, were among those officiating at the ceremony. A number of local school groups also attended the opening.

Development of the park has been a successful partnership between HRM, the Province of Nova Scotia; and the Bedford Lion's Club. Each has contributed a total of $150,000 over a three-year period.

The main entrance to the park, which is located on Sandy Lake, is from Smiths Road, off the Hammonds Plains Road. Originally planned as a regional park in 1986 by the former Town of Bedford, the park consists of 130 forested acres with frontage on Sandy Lake.

Mayor Kelly said "By working in partnership, we have made the dream of preserving the Sandy Lake lands a reality. Residents of our communities, visitors and future generations will now be able to enjoy the natural beauty and recreational activities offered by Sandy Lake Park."

Minister Christie said The Sandy Lake park gives children and adults in the area a good opportunity to get out and enjoy nature. I am pleased that our Government has played such a large role in this project to promote healthy lifestyles."

Councillor Goucher said "After years of planning, Sandy Lake Park is finally a reality. The process, both from a financial and planning viewpoint, is a prime example of governments and community working together. My thanks to George Churney and Fred Haley, of The Bedford Lions Club; Kevin Conley, Project Manager, HRM Real Property and Asset Management; Catherine Mott, Derek Sarty, Don Lowther, Mayor Kelly and Minister Christie for believing in the dream."

Warren Hutt, President of the Bedford Lion's Club, said "Sandy Lake Park is an excellent example of how a local service club, made up of volunteers, can work together with two levels of government to provide a much-needed facility for the community."

The new park has a supervised beach area, washrooms/change rooms , children's play area, a canteen and a parking lot.

• Construction of Phase One of the park was completed in the Fall of 2001. It consisted of access driveway and gravel parking area.
• Phase Two construction was completed in 2002. It consisted of main trail to the beach, turf picnic area and benches, waste receptacles and a timber bridge.
• The Phase Three of development included construction of washroom facilities (complete with compost toilets), change rooms and canteen/storage building.

Further park development will consist of enhancement of passive park activities, such as hiking and walking trails.

-30-

Mayor Peter Kelly
(902) 490-4010

Honourable Peter Christie
Minister of Finance
(902) 832-7383

Councillor Len Goucher
(902) 476-0021

Warren Hutt
President, Bedford Lion's Club
(902) 835- 6587