Category Archives: INITIATIVES

Activist initiatives such as encouraging letter-writing. New projects. Protesting.

Photographic Exibition: Parking the Common, Documentation of Phylum Paveia

View On Line: Parking the Common, Documentation of Phylum Paveia

small-e-carde-card-page247This study classifies invading species of Phylum Paveia (parking lot) responsible for the creeping disappearance of the Halifax Common. Ecological examination reveals P.Paveia colonizes territory replacing endangered natives such as Lawnis tranquilis, Gardenia publica and Serenis communis.  Identified Paveias include Genera Bituminus (asphalt), Lapillius (gravel) and Cementus (cement) and species civitis (city), ecclesiais (church), hospitalis (hospital), imperium canadis (federal government), imperium nova scotis (provincial government), privatis (private), scholis (school), and universitis (university).  This study raises doubt about notions of improvement historically rooted in imperialist ideology that, unless mitigated, will result in further colonization.

Letter To The Coast – Roundabouts – Wrong Priority for the Common

total cost estimate $31 million (2011)

total cost estimate $31 million (2011)

Letters to the editor, July 31, 2014, Sidewalk Closed Use Other Side – Julat like spending millions of dollars to widen Robie St. at Cunard or millions to widen Chebucto Road itself, blowing $12.9 million on the North Park roundabouts project is out of sync with a big-picture integrated transportation strategy. The money will do nothing to reduce heavy reliance on cars by improving public transit (buses and trains), land use planning (better ways to access public transportation and active transportation) or moving people in and out of the downtown, not just cars. Continue reading →

Trees, Traffic & Roundabouts

FHC isn’t wading into the pro or anti roundabout on North Park Street debate but instead asks…

North Park Street

North Park Street

1. How does this $12.9 million expenditure fit into an integrated transportation strategy* that is about moving people, not just cars into and out of the downtown?  Should the cost $12.9 million be a spending priority when HRM’s 5-year Active Transportation budget is only $42.5  ( ~ $8 million/year); the bikelane budget for the peninsula the next 5 years is only ~$100,000 and there’s no money for supporting auto-ownership-alternatives such as CarShare?
2. Why are these roundabouts being installed in advance of…. Continue reading →

Parking on the Halifax Common

Entrance to Temporary Garages on North Common at North ParkParking on the Halifax Common is illegal and signs are posted.  At a fundraiser held on Saturday June 7th up to 100 vehicles were parked on the North Common and at the Pavilion on the Central Common. Why didn’t  HRM staff on duty have the parking ban enforced?  Was it because they didn’t know, because permission was given or because they chose to ignore it?  Parking on the Common isn’t a new problem but it is getting worse.

100in1Day – Fun Ideas For Better Public Space

On Saturday, June 7th, 2014, Halifax joined 15 other cities around the world for 100in1Day, a festival of citizen-driven action that showcases people-ideas for a better city.

100in1Day FHC Action

100in1Day FHC Action

FHC’s “urban intervention” was a fun, low-cost way to showcase a simple idea for a better city – we cleaned a bus shelter and provided it with seating, a route map (we couldn’t find an on-line schedule), a bouquet of flowers, a 100in1Day poster, weekend newspapers and magazines and of course some Celebrate the Common 250 books.  Its the second year we’ve done it and we hope it catches on.

 

HRM Public Meeting – New Permanent Building, North Common

Have your say about the new permanent building on the North Common
Date: Thursday June 5, 2014
Time:  6:30pm to review presentation panels & 7pm for the formal presentation
Location:  Atlantica Hotel (former Willow Tree Holiday Inn)

Isn’t it time for a big picture plan that respects the 1994 Halifax Common Plan? In March 2012 HRM found out through a legal opinion that buildings on the Common are likely illegal. So  instead of respecting the law, HRM lobbied the provincial government to change HRM’s Charter to permit the legal erection of a permanent building on the North Common in exclusive support of the Oval.  https://nslegislature.ca/legc/bills/61st_4th/1st_read/b157.htm

We agree that so far the aesthetic of the Oval has been a junk heap but is a new building is necessary? FHC suggested spending the money to improve the Central Common Pavilion; or to host a yearly international design competition for warming huts like Winnipeg does; or to use yurts as found in many ski hills & golf courses. These were ignored. This permanent building is another major encroachment on the remaining ~ 30 acres of the original 240 acre land grant. We like the Oval but we love the Common.  At the public meeting in 2010 everything was about the concerts and $3 million was promised for improvements to the North Common.  Now its all about the Oval.  What’s the big picture?

Wrap-up: Celebrate the Common 250

In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Halifax Common, Friends of Halifax Common organized one big party. On October 4, 5 & 6th, 2013 we  hosted 3 days of over 50 events to commemorate the gift of the Halifax Common “to and for the use of the inhabitants of the Town of Halifax as Common forever,” by King George III in 1763.

CTCLogoOver 11,000 people came out to join the festivities,  and share the food and fun during the 3-day celebration.

The events included a series of public walks & talks on and about the Halifax Common.  Eight commissioned works to Celebrate the Common included theatre, circus & dance performances, exhibitions, sculptures & installations.  Lots of activities happened throughout the entire area of the Common – meditation, yoga, cricket, baseball, kite-flying, henna tattooing, biking, bike-repair, drumming and potlucks.

Two books were published Continue reading →

Celebrate the Common 250

In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Halifax Common, Friends of Halifax Common have organized one big party. On October 4, 5 & 6th, 2013 we will host 3 days of over 50 events to commemorate the gift of the Halifax Common “to and for the use of the inhabitants of the Town of Halifax as Commons forever,” by King George III in 1763.   For details please see… Continue reading →

Poetry Call for Submissions

The call for poetry submissions is now closed.
Celebrating the Halifax Common – 250 Years

Friends of Halifax Common and Gaspereau Press look forward to launching the poetry anthology as part of the October 3, 4 and 5th celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Halifax Common.

We’ll keep you posted on details.

Welcome to our new site!

The Friends of the Halifax Common are happy to connect with you via our new site. We now have an interactive calendar of events.

Registered users can now log in and make a comments. Over time we will develop this site to facilitate discussion between FHC members and the public.

Bill 157 – Unprotecting The Halifax Common

On December 3, 2012, Friends of Halifax Common submitted comments to Law Amendments with respect to the NDP provincial government’s Bill 157, that re-crafted the Halifax Charter to give permission for the construction of a support building for the skating Oval.

After the Friends’ presentations to community councils, letters to the Mayor and Council, letters to Ministers John MacDonnell, Leonary Preyra, Maureen MacDonald asking for protective legislation for the Halifax Common, the NDP government instead provided a “legal” route for HRM’s further encroachment of the last remaining 30 acres.  Bill 157, Submission to Law Amendments