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
Category Archives: NEWS
North Common Roundabout – The Big Picture, News 95.7 Rick Howe Show
Listen to News 95.7 The Rick Howe Show Interview with Peggy Cameron
On July 7/14 Rick Howe interviewed Peggy Cameron (representing Friends of the Halifax Common) about The Big Picture and the $12.9 million dollars spent on the North Park Roundabouts. Peggy questions how this expenditure meets HRM’s stated long term goals.
Trees, Traffic & Roundabouts
FHC isn’t wading into the pro or anti roundabout on North Park Street debate but instead asks…

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
Disappearing Green Space, News 95.7 Interview With Rick Howe – 2014/07/07
Chronicle Herald Op-Ed – Running Circles Around Common Plan
Published June 27th, 2014
This week marked the 251st anniversary of the signing of the 1763 land grant of 240 acres “for the use of the inhabitants of the Town of Halifax as Common forever.”
This year also marks 20 years since the City of Halifax approved the 1994 Halifax Common Plan, a document that was developed after a thorough public consultation because of concern about the increasing number of changes and demands for use and the need for additional protection for the Halifax Common. Continue reading
Book Launch – Reclaiming the Commons for the Common Good by Heather Menzies
Everyone is welcomed to attend events with award-winning author Heather Menzies in celebration of the launch of her new book, Reclaiming the Commons for the Common Good.
HALIFAX BOOK LAUNCH
Tuesday June 3rd, 7PM
Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History, 1747 Summer Street
DARTMOUTH BOOK LAUNCH
Community Picnic/Potluck Supper
Monday June 2nd, 3:30 – 6:00PM
Park Avenue Oven, Dartmouth Common
MAHONE BAY BOOK LAUNCH
Monday June 2nd, 7:30PM
Mahone Bay Centre
A memoir of personal and political discovery, Menzies’ focus is on the need to reclaim common resources to work together to build a better society. Her message is especially relevant to Friends of Halifax Common who present these events in cooperation with Halifax’s Lifelong Learning Network, Nancy’s Chair in Women’s Studies (MSVU), Common Roots Urban Farm, the Council of Canadians, and the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives – Nova Scotia.
Writing The Common – The Coast Reviews Poetry Book Published By Gaspereau Press
Writing the Common: Being An Anthology of Poetry Commemorating the 250th
Anniversary Of the Halifax Common
Published by Gaspereau Press
This spring the Friends of Halifax Common released a collection of all-new poetry inspired by and in tribute to the 250th anniversary of Halifax’s iconic green space(s). With a detailed introduction of “the common” as a concept born in 11th-centruy Britain through to the modern, local iteration, the collection speaks to its “enclosed poets” ability to “share a common of the mind.”
Here the Common is both muse and misused, the site of rhododendrons in defiance of urban sprawl….but at its very core this book is a collective ode: 31 reasons why the Common should continue to be enjoyed by future generations, be they poets, pets or pedestrians. With contributions from well-loved potes as situated in our landscape as the space itself…Sue Goyette, George Elliot Clarke, Tanya Davis…as well as local historians, artists, and naturalists, Writing the Common is a tribute to the wild green heart of our city.
Contributors include: Continue reading

Parks Canada Paves Garrison Grounds
Work has begun by Parks Canada to pave the parking lots on the Garrison Grounds in anticipation of meeting more demand for parking and having more concerts.
Choosing to asphalt the Garrison Ground parking lots is really a vote against heritage, the environment, the health benefits of public open space and a vote for the car. As with widening roads, increasing parking capacity is short sighted. All it really does is create more demand.
People come from all around the world to visit Citadel Hill, a designated national heritage site-they don’t come to see new parking lots freshly asphalted. FHC had a meeting with Parks Canada officials about the decision to pave the Garrison Grounds. We were left with the impression that they had not done enough homework before making their decision.
Some examples: There was … 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
Celebrate the Common 250 – Media Release
for immediate release
September 24, 2013
Friends of Halifax Common Celebrate the Common’s 250th
(Halifax) On October 4, 5 & 6, Friends of Halifax Common invite the public to join in the free festivities to Celebrate the Common 250 and help mark the 250th anniversary of Canada’s oldest Common. Events at <https://www.halifaxcommon.ca/>www.halifaxcommon.ca are being updated daily.
In 1763, King George III gifted the 235-acre gift of the Halifax Common to the “inhabitants of the Town of Halifax as Common forever.” Numerous free public walks and talks, like October 4th’s “The Halifax Common: 250 Years of Community Use (cows, cricket, circuses, Catholics, Sir Paul and the skaters)” will explore the history and changing landscape of Canada’s oldest Common.
Many celebration activities are planned. 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.