The Bedford Waterfront... it's your community and you can shape it!

Scroll down to read the comments from the participants of the Conversation Café, held Thursday, April 12, 2007 at the LeBrun Center in Bedford. 

The Community Liaison Group will use this feedback in drafting a Vision for the Bedford Waterfront.  Other sources of input for the draft Vision will include the Spring 2007 Questionnaire, the VisionHRM on-line forum, and input from stakeholder group meetings.  Note: The comments below are listed verbatim from the cafe flip charts. 

Question 1:        What do you like about the waterfront area of Bedford?

(Note: some comments may be duplicated as they are displayed in the format received from the individual discussion groups)

• unobstructed view of the water
• ambiance
• big open space
• community space
• walk-ways for people and pets
• parking (small - not overpowering - handy)
• limited height of residences
• play area
• (Lion’s) swimming pool
• jetty - docks
• boat launch
• yacht club
• band stand
• landscaping (town houses)
• non-commercial (limited)

• bags for dogs
• walk boardwalk
• view
• safety

• sailboats
• submarines
• view
• roses on boardwalk
• the swan needs a mate
• sunrise / moonlight on water
• concerts are great, but should be more frequent
• close proximity to stores and conveniences
• police & fire stations
• quite
• green
• children’s laughter
• community feel during Bedford Days
• aesthetically pleasing roses
• townhouses / condos
• fountain
• park for kids
• optimistic about someday being able to swim in the Basin
• interaction between seniors and other age groups
• marina is small, but well maintained
• trains are great and comforting at night
• safe walking conditions (when lights are working)
• sailboats racing
• osprey hunting
• well organized street management

• Lion’s pool - great place for kids and families
• water access - the boardwalk hugs the water
• open view
• more natural the better
• free access to the water
• felling of spaciousness
• landscape the boardwalk with rosebushes
• sailboats on the water (Wednesdays)
• low-rise townhouses that are there
• park below Cascade Spa
• any green space that attracts wildlife
• gathering place for concerts and events at DeWolfe Park
• have doggy bags available
• pier where the yachts dock

• sailboats
• Bedford Days
• be able to eat looking at water
• would like to have bicycle park / skate park
• community
• openness
• green space
• boardwalk
• water access
• public boat ramp

• DeWolfe Park
• environment
• foot paths, pleasant walking experience
• clean
• unobstructed views

• mixed use
• walking / biking / playground
• residential with public access to water and boating with limits
• trees, some gardens
• signage, historical plaques
• multiple pedestrian access
• low-rise residential, but prefer mixed social groups - townhouses on water are better than high rises
• hydro lines, infrastructure underground
• well designed lighting and fixtures
• grass / green / landscape
• Lion’s Park pool and playground

• boardwalk on water
• Papermill Lake
• fish hatchery park
• Shore Dr.
• condos along DeWolfe Park
• great view
• markets
• special events (Canada Day - Bedford Days)
• parks and playgrounds
• Lion’s pool and playgrounds
• cleaner
• in-filling is kept clean
• underground wiring
• decorative street lighting

• view and trails
• boardwalk
• idea : wrap-around boardwalk around Basin
• Sackville to Rockingham access is good
• Pedestrian and Car tracks crossing an issue
• maintain public views from Bedford Hwy. - limit heights
• no more landfills - save natural shoreline
• caution: build for future water height (global warning alert)
• benches
• garbage cans
• existing buildings are eye-pleasing (brick - stone)
• play areas are pleasing
• feel safe there
• good place to meet people with dogs
• dogs are being leashed, but free range area supported.
• runners and joggers enhance environment

• water
• walking on the boardwalk
• nature - sunrise, sunset
• green and trees
• non-commercial
• dog walking freedom
• playground boat for kids
• good community meeting place
• good access for disabled
• some good view planes
• big contrast to malls / Bedford strip
• boats
• water access
• waterfall / fountain / water
• landscape - roses, etc.

• open space
• nautical environment
• nice residential development
• public space
• pedestrian access from Shore Dr., to south jetty
• excellent children’s play facilities
• safety and security
• easy access to commercial from the waterfront
• use of area for community events
• well maintained
• having Shore Dr. Not joined to Waterfront Dr. (No through vehicular traffic)

• boat yard
• open spaces
• walking paths
• access to the ocean
• park area
• green space

• quiet / peaceful
• green space
• physically active lifestyle
• watching vessels
• feeling of community (Waterfront Dr. / Jackson Crt.)
• public playground - needs a washroom for children
• nice mix of condos and townhouses - prefer not to see an increase in density

• walkways
• water view
• people you meet
• green space
• variety of view
• benches for resting
• dogs walking
• view of Halifax and bridges
• accessibility
• wildlife variety
• playground (kids on boat)
• community activities (Bedford Days - Canada Day - concerts)
• water activities
• boat ramp
• sunrise

• see the water protected - not filled in

Question 2:        What do you want the waterfront of Bedford to look like in the future?

• keep the quality of Bedford now
• The problem that I have is in the in-filling.  In other jurisdictions condos have been built all along the water - shutting out the rest of the citizens.  In-filling should be kept to a minimum.  The water portion of the lots fronting the Basin should be expropriated.  This would cause the least upset of the community.  I don’t believe in-filling down to Clearwater is necessary.  I don’t have a problem with a limited amount for a walkway only

• nice restaurants
• gym / recreational / health facilities
• no strip malls
• ferry (with parking and traffic control)
• walking / bike trails
• mixed - use development
• pedestrian bridges above tracks
• boutique / shops
• new type of lighting to prevent vandalism
• easy access to waterfront
• no high rises (not to exceed 6 stories)
• no cheap (low quality) wood frame buildings
• maintain integrity of park
• ensure security / safety
• architectural control

• preserve line of sight views from all sides to bridges
• public access
• no private high water mark - impasse
• 3 pedestrian access - safe
• minimum 2 vehicular access
• fast ferry terminal with parking and pedestrian access
• low rise vs high rise requested - 5 story-

• hydro dam at Papermill dam
• public library
• picnic areas
• coffee shop
• beach area
• park space - nature (not parking)
• nature sanctuary
• public access to water
• keep Moir’s Pond “natural”
• walking and bike paths
• any buildings should compliment the flavor of Old Bedford
• water access - ferry / railway (use existing structures naturally infrastructure maximized)

• parks to balance development
• shore lights put on poles
• café bistro style
• dogs park - enclosed leash free
• go train
• public marina
• continuation of boardwalk
• bike path
• eco-density (high density, green, ener-efficiency bldgs)
• full year round maintenance of walk way
• design guidelines
• farmer markets / roadside café
• neighborhood community uses
• walk - able community

• quiet
• green
• fully operational public marina
• well lit
• security (visible)
• limited height
• high speed ferry
• outdoor cafes
• jam sessions
• washrooms
• lots of seating areas
• boardwalk - full length of shoreline
• historic plaques
• well maintained
• more access
• tree lined
• landscaped
• turning lane / arrow
• bathing (ocean)
• water park (Mill Pond)
• ped-ways
• more community activities
• library
• live theater
• bandstand (permanent)
• skating
• shelter (rain, lightening)
• mini - golf, putting green
• parking - close, aesthetically pleasing
• pet control (enforced)

• bistros / cafes
• no high rises
• low - limited height commercial / retail development
• less high rises
• properly constructed footpath
• pedestrian community
• better pedestrian access to walkway
• make several pedestrian access points
• bridge over tracks for walking, etc.
• boat yard is obstacle, purchase and turn into green area (very untidy, eyesore, blocks walkway)
• continuous walkway from Shore Dr to Clearwater
• ped-way over breakwater
• move Bedford Yacht Club to new marina location
• breakwaters properly landscaped

• braille on signs
• develop Mill Pond area
• beach area
• community activity on pond
• paddle boats
• aquarium
• controlled area for dogs
• green, green, green
• outdoor skating rink on pond
• protect views
• 2 or more access roads to waterfront
• more trails
• amphitheater
• high speed internet on waterfront
• green space
• boardwalk to Clearwater
• tour boat
• open air cafes
• ped-way over railroad tracks
• trail from Sackville to Halifax
• Marine Interpretative Center (Historic Properties style)
• small shops for artisans
• sidewalks
• cross - walks

• more park space
• no more density (high rises)
• concert hall or bandstand
• aesthetically pleasing commercial (nautical boutique)
• year - round local food, produce and NS crafts market
• washroom facilities
• security
• maintain present public access and walks
• continue walkway to Clearwater
• height restriction along waterfront
• second access to highway
• pedestrian access from / to Sobey’s

• pedestrian access from Sobey’s over the tracks to the public spaces
• continuous pedestrian boardwalk access (multi - use and wheelchair accessible)
• outdoor / ground floor cafes, restaurants and courtyards
• amphitheater with permanent seating
• lots of vegetation (trees and ornamental)
• marina with full facilities and visitor slips (pay as you go)
• public washrooms
• maximum building height at the waterfront (4 storeys)
• fast ferry
• railroad commute

• public access along water’s edge
• clean water for swimming
• farmer’s market - year round
• people first
• tiered and terraced buildings
• skating rink
• skate board park
• ferry
• more bike paths
• walking paths
• better pedestrian and bike access to waterfront and from Mill Cove area
• underground parking
• more green space
• restaurant on water

• low - rise development with nice landscaping
• boardwalk along the whole thing
• traffic light with an arrow at Conroy Run to make left turn
• boating opportunities for the general public
• open area - green spaces
• high speed ferry and better buses (connection)
• more access to the area
• more durable lighting along the boardwalk (taller poles?)
• small shops and cafes (like Dows Lake in Ottawa on Canal)
• beautify the Sobey’s shopping center especially the parking lot and signage
• beautify Moir’s Pond
• larger common area for concerts and events
• improved walkway from present boardwalk to Lion’s pool

Group Discussion: Common Themes that Emerged

(The following is a list of the common themes expressed during large group discussion)

• green space                                      
• ext. walkways and trails                 
• low rise developments
• social environment
• increased access
• water access   
• pedway - underground parking
• land access
• restaurants and boutiques
• fine dining
• rest rooms
• wheel chair access
• farmer’s market
• library
• full service marina
• wild life protection
• clean water
• one clean up day per year
• enclosed dog run
• more police / security
• beach area
• utilize railway to Halifax
• utilize water
• sense of place of community
• restore sense of place
• better walking places
• beautify parking lot
• high speed ferry to Halifax
• have corporation in line