Revamped public space on Halifax waterfront could include beach, splash pad

Downtown Halifax could become home to a new beach, play area and splash pad, among other amenities.

Develop Nova Scotia issued a tender on Monday for a detailed site design for a revamped public space on the Halifax waterfront.

The space is located between Bishop's Landing and the Nova Scotia Power building nearLower Water Streetand Morris Street. It will be situatednext to the Cunard Building, a development by Southwest Properties that will see 235 rental units as well as commercial units built next to the Nova Scotia Power building.

Develop Nova Scotia's plan calls for a raised beach, shade structures and seating, a water play area and separate playground, washrooms and showers. Plans could change as the project moves through a more detailed design phase.

Right now, much of the area to be developed is a parking lot.

Beach high on wish list

The plan was created after consulting with the public about what people wanted to see in the space. Someof the most-requested features werea splashpad, a floating dock or walkway and a beach experience with "an opportunity to interact with the harbour."

The Halifax waterfront recently gained such an opportunitywith the construction of steps leadinginto the harbourat the nearby Queen's Marque.

However, twice over the past month, Halifax Water has advised people not to swim inor participate in any recreational activities in the harbourafter an emergency pump failed and caused wastewater and stormwater to flow into it.

According to the list of "must-haves" in the public engagement report, any beach area would require regular water quality testing, a signal indicating water qualitysuch as a light or a flag, and publicly available water quality data online.

Some of the inspirations for a downtown beach area listed in the report include Woodbine Beach and HTO Park in Toronto and Breakwater Park in Kingston, Ont.

According to the conceptual design, the space could also become home to the Acadian monument, which was removed five years ago after it began sinking.

The tender notesconstruction on the space is expected to begin next March, with the completion of the project anticipated in March 2024.