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On January 18, the Halifax Regional Municipality purchased approximately 197 acres of lands to form part of a Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes Regional Park. This important acquisition marks the first parcel of land to be acquired by the municipality towards the creation of the regional park, which is proposed in the municipality’s Regional Plan.
The Hobson Lake lands are to the rear of properties along Collins Road and beside provincial Crown lands that are already designated as part of the Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes Wilderness Area. The Halifax Regional Municipality has been seeking a formal access to the provincially-designated wilderness area for some time. The municipality continues its efforts to acquire additional lands towards the creation of the park.
The Hobson Lake lands have been acquired from West Bedford Holdings and will both enable public access into the regional park and support the protected wilderness area by acting as a buffer between it and developed lands. The acquisition includes provision for a future regional park trailhead entrance that is anticipated to be developed with parking and services for park users. The entrance will be achieved as part of the parkland dedication process as the company develops the next stages of its Bedford West community, which is anticipated in the next four to six years.
With the acquisition, municipal staff will be consulting with both the province and the public regarding the future planning of the Hobson Lake lands as part of the creation of the overall Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes Regional Park. Public consultation is expected to begin in the spring.