Point Pleasant Park, Halifax

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There is a large natural park at the southern tip of the peninsula called Point Pleasant Park. There are good roads and trails through it and part of it is an off-leash park for dogs. There are benches and picnic areas along the waterfront and great views over the harbour. There are the remains of several towers and batteries through the park as it used to be a station for the military in Halifax's early days. There's a large parking lot and a smaller parking lot at another entrance. No vehicles are allowed in the park. There is a canteen by Black Rock Beach but don't swim there. The harbour is polluted and until the Harbour Solutions project gets up and running, the inner harbour is not clean enough to swim in.

At Cambridge Battery, in the summer evenings and weekend matinees, you can take in a performance by Shakespeare by the Sea.

In 2003 a hurricane decimated 70% of the trees in the park. For those of us that are used to seeing forest everywhere, the gaps and wide open spaces, punctuated by dead trees is heartbreaking. There are still debates ongoing as to the future of the park. Should it be manicured and themed with performance areas and recreation areas or should it be left to regrow naturally? Most people seem to want to leave it be as it is. time will tell.

Transportation: The number 9 Barrington bus goes right into the parking lot of the park.
Driving... follow Barrington Street south. It turns into Inglis street near the container pier. Follow Inglis to the stop lights at Tower Road. Turn left on Tower Road, past Saint Mary's University to the end of Tower Road. There's a parking lot across the way there or turn left and follow Point Pleasant drive down to the parking lot by the waterfront. Use the upper parking lot by Tower Road to more easily get to Cambridge Battery if attending a performance.

Point Pleasant Park is ideal for a weekend stroll or a morning excercise. Besides that, there are some monuments and statues.

More pictures at My Point Pleasant Park Travelogue.

In 1994, a small group of dedicated actors peformed A Midsummer Night's Dream in Point Pleasant Park, hoping to bring Shakespeare to the people in such a way that it would make it more accessible and fun. A few performances later, they had a hit on their hands and have grown to the point where they have a full schedule every summer. The troup performs outside in Point Pleasant Park from July 1 to mid September. Most of their performances are by suggested donation of $10. They often put on special plays performed in unique venues such as Halifax Citadel for ticketed in advance prices.

This might not work for Shakespeare traditionalists, as they will often give modern dress and interpretive performances. Other family entertainment is usually performed as well, such as Robin Hood. Bring a lawn chair or blanket though they sometimes have plastic chairs for rent for a dollar or two. Evening performances start at 7:00, weekend matinees at 1. No performance on Mondays. There is an indoor theatre at their headquarters in the lower parking lot of Point Pleasant Park though the usual venue in the park is easier accessed by the upper parking lot.

Cambridge Battery is the main stage. There is a parking lot at the end of Tower Road. Enter the park here and walk straight in about 10 minutes. Photography during the performance is not allowed.

Point Pleasant park is one of my favorite places in Halifax it's a graet place to walk around, I've seen whales in the harbour while sitting on the rocks watching the water. If you are here in the summer try to catch a Shakespere by the sea show at the park.

This 186 acre forested park, only minutes from downtown, covers the southern tip of the Halifax peninsula. It's features include walking trails, picnic areas, a canteen, and the ruins of several forts. Also the site of Prince of Wales Tower National Historic Site, a tower built by order of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent in 1796-97.