Photo Irwin Barrett/Ecology Action Centre
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT SESSION
Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes (BMBCL) Comprehensive Study
Wednesday, April 13th, 2022, from 7:00 – 9:00 PM
The Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes (BMBCL) area is located on the western edge of the Halifax urban core and comprises Acadian forest, wetlands, and a system of lakes and headwaters, offering wilderness hiking opportunities to many residents and visitors.
In 2021, Halifax Regional Municipality signed a Statement of Collaboration with Parks Canada to indicate mutual interest in the opportunities for the BMBCL area as part of the new national urban parks program, which led to an approval by Regional Council to initiate the park planning process.
With the support of a contribution agreement signed with Parks Canada in January, the municipality has initiated a comprehensive background study of Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes (BMBCL) Regional Park. Halifax Regional Municipality has engaged Stantec Consulting Ltd. to develop a comprehensive background report on the BMBCL area and vicinity. The four key areas considered in the study include:
Ecological and recreational conditions
Archaeological and cultural study
Analysis of land use and settlement
Review of park governance models
The purpose of the background report is to inform future BMBCL park planning, including integrating connections to nature through associated recreational uses, ecological conservation, as well as climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Community engagement and liaison efforts is a necessary and crucial step in this project. The public is invited to virtually join us on April 13, 2022, from 7 – 9 p.m. as we introduce this assessment phase of the BMBCL national urban park initiative and share with us your knowledge on and ideas for the BMBCL area.
Registration for the virtual meeting, which will take place on the Microsoft Teams platform, can be accessed by clicking this link.
At this meeting, you will have an opportunity to:
Learn more about the BMBCL area and Parks Canada urban parks initiative
Hear about the work being undertaken by Stantec to complete the background report
Find out the opportunities and challenges identified by key project stakeholders and partners
Contribute your own knowledge and ideas regarding ecological, recreational, cultural, and other noteworthy opportunities for the BMBCL area
A survey will be provided following the engagement session, or if you are unable to attend the event, to provide feedback. Looking forward to hearing from you!
