Are We There Yet?: Great Family Parks in HRM

 
Looking for a great activity to entertain your kids and learn about our gardens, parks and streets? Look no further than the Halifax Regional Municipalities “Urban Biokit”. Through its pages, participants can explore the sights, sounds and smells that can be found among the parks, streets and points of interest in HRM, including sections of the Halifax Public Gardens. Simply follow this link and print the brochure for hours of fun for the whole family.   Once you have printed off your “Urban Biokit” head out to a few of Halifax’s great parks and let the adventure begin. 

Public Gardens
If you haven’t been there lately we think you’ll be surprised how much fun you can have with your kids at one of Halifax’s gems.  It’s a great place for a family stroll this time of year with over 100 different species of trees, colorful gardens and city wildlife. I can’t think of a better location for a game of Biokit Bingo. You can also, take a rest stop and have a snack or lunch at Uncommon Grounds Café located in the historic Horticultural Hall where the kids can have a hand paddled ice cream while mom and dad can relax for a moment with a gourmet coffee. They also offer home made soups and delicious sandwiches for lunch time. A great stop to recharge your batteries surrounded by the beautiful Gardens. Outside on the deck you can take in the sights and sounds from the Grandstand. The Sunday Band Concert Series runs every Sunday at 2PM from June 17th to September 9th.

Point Pleasant Park
Point Pleasant Park is one of Halifax Regional Municipality’s great civic places. Few Canadian cities have a Park that offers so much to do and enjoy. Bring your bikes, have a picnic, hike to the historic forts and batteries, enjoy a stroll along Arm Road, watch the Seals from Northwest Arm Battery, take in a play by Shakespeare by the Sea, kick off your shoes and run through the sand at Black Rock Beach…. I could go on and on… there is so, much to do and see at Point Pleasant. Your “Urban Biokit” can be fully utilized as you discover the half-buried stone walls, abandoned quarries, causeways, earthworks, old roads and ruins as well as the biodiversity that create the unmistakable character of this city landmark. 

The Dingle
Another, a great spot to use your Urban Biokit. Not only does the Dingle Tower afford great views for miles, but this distinctive tower of granite and ironstone has an historic place in our city’s past. of which many people aren’t aware. In 1908, Sir Sandford Fleming, a Scottish man who chose Halifax as his home, presented the city with about 100 acres of natural park, known as the Dingle. He gave the land to Halifax on the condition a tower be built there. Not a bad condition when one considers the years of enjoyment residents have had strolling through the beautiful park. There are two major walking trails that wind through four natural habitats that include second-growth woodlands, a heath barren, a salt-water habitat and a frog pond that will offer much use for your “Urban Biokit” during any season.  The kids will enjoy the fantastic playground while you’re enjoying an ice cream or milkshake from Pinky’s Canteen.

York Redoubt
This National Historic site offers a wonderful outing for the family on a sunny summer day. This 200 year old fortification provides a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean, McNab’s Island and Halifax Harbor entrance. Only a 10-15 minute drive from downtown the whole family. Take the tour, fly a kite, learn the history and enjoy the beautiful views.

Hemlock Ravine
Just up the hill from Prince’s Lodge, via Kent Street off the Bedford Highway; Hemlock Ravine Park offers 5 wooded walking trails that take you past many brooks, small ponds and Ravine. A great place to get some exercise and use your “Urban Biokit” with the whole family.

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