Visit Fort Needham Memorial Park and explore the many stories of the Halifax Explosion told in this quiet hilltop park in the Hydrostone District.
In 2017, the memorial park underwent a major revitalization for the commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the Halifax Explosion, funded by the Halifax Regional Municipality and the Department of Canadian Heritage. The memorial park was established in the 1950’s as part of the rebuilding of the neighbourhood devastated in the 1917 explosion. The Halifax Relief Commission built it as a public park forever in remembrance of the victims of the Halifax Explosion.
The park is situated at one of the highest points in the area, giving magnificent views of the city and harbour. It is home to the Halifax Explosion Memorial Bell Tower where the memorial service for the Explosion is held annually on December 6th.
Park visitors can also enjoy the new children’s playground, picnic tables, open sports field, wooded areas, and off-leash dog area.
Visitors can enjoy:
- Playground with accessible features
- Halifax Explosion Memorial Bell Tower (bell strikes hourly between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., lightshow at dusk)
- Sports field
- Groomed trails
- Universial, net-zero public washroom (open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily)
- Accessible parking (Needham St.)
- Off-leash dog area (view map)
- Halifax Explosion 100th Anniversary Commemorative Elements
Map
For mobile use, full sized map or issues loading the map, use this link.
Getting Here & Hours
The park is open 5 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
Parking is available on Novalea Drive and Union Street. Accessible parking is available on Needham Street.
Halifax Transit Routes: 7, 29, 86, 135, 136, 137, 138, 194
Park & Off Leash Rules
- No skateboarding
- No smoking
- No fires
- Camping is not allowed
- Do not remove/damage flowers or trees
- Refer to the off-leash rules for municipal parks
History & Halifax Explosion Markers
The Halifax Explosion was a maritime disaster that occurred in Halifax, Nova Scotia. On the morning of December 6, 1917 a deadly communications error resulted in the collision of two ships in the harbour, one of them a munitions shop loaded with explosives bound for the battlefield of the First World War. Just before 9:05 a.m. the cargo onboard the Mont Blanc exploded, unleashing a force more powerful than anything wrought by humankind before the detonation of the atomic bomb.
Over 1900 people were killed, and another 9000 were maimed or blinded. Both Dartmouth and Halifax suffered extensive damage. The Mi’kmaq settlement at Turtle Grove was completely destroyed.
Halifax Explosion Markers
As part of the 100th Anniversary project in 2017, 12 markers were installed throughout the municipality recognizing the profound impact of the Halifax Explosion and how the reverberations of the explosion continue to shape the consciousness of this place and its people.
Other links
Municipal Archives
Halifax Municipal Archives is the official repository for historical municipal government records from Halifax, Dartmouth, Bedford and the former County of Halifax. Find digital records about the Halifax Explosion.
Fort Needham Memorial Park Master Plan
Learn about the master plan and see how the park was developed.
CBC Docs: The Halifax Explosion
On the 100th anniversary of the Halifax Explosion this program looks at the causes, effects, and lasting memories and legacies of the tragic event.