Kjipuktuk (Halifax) – On Thursday, people from across HRM will gather to discuss and share information on the past, present and future of the long-promised Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes Regional Park
The meeting is being organized by longstanding supporters of the Regional Park including Hon. Diana Whalen and Mary Ann McGrath, former MLAs and long-time advocates for the park, and a long list of groups that include Ecology Action Centre, Halifax North West Trails Association and Halifax Field Naturalists.
Halifax’s 2006 Regional Plan promised the creation of the Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes Regional Park, a superb natural area that has potential to become our own mini-Keji on the doorstep of downtown Halifax. Since that time, the Government of Nova Scotia declared over 1700 hectares of land legally protected as Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes Wilderness Area to support the future Regional Park.
With land acquisitions underway, and direction from Council for HRM staff to engage public on the development of the park, it’s time for citizens who care about this important city-building project to come together, share information and discuss how they can help support the creation of the park.
The event will explore interest in forming a "Friends-of" type citizen’s group to speak up for and help guide the creation of Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes Regional Park.
“In Nova Scotia and elsewhere, park projects are enhanced by the participation of community groups. A ‘Friends of Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes’ group will be able to work with key stakeholders and governments as they proceed with the creation of this new regional park,” says Diana Whalen, former MLA for Clayton Park West. “I believe this is the time to create a community group to provide citizen input and support for the future park over the long term.”
The event is open to the public. It will take place Thursday, April 12 at St. Peter’s Anglican Church Hall at 3 Dakin Drive, Halifax from 7-9 p.m. There will be a formal presentation at 7:15 p.m., and opportunity for questions and public comments at 8 p.m.
For more information, interested participants can visit an Eventbrite page created for the event
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For further background on the promised Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes Regional Park, visit: http://ourhrmalliance.ca/bmbcl/
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Media Contacts:
Honorable Diana Whalen
Former MLA, Clayton Park West
dianawhalen@gmail.com
Raymond Plourde
Wilderness Coordinator / Ecology Action Centre
wilderness@ecologyaction.ca