North Woodside park plan moves to next stage

The Harbour East-Marine Drive Community Council (HEMDCC) unanimously agreed on Feb. 9 to recommend that Halifax Regional Council adopt the North Woodside Community Centre Park Plan – though it could be some while before the community sees construction begin.

The local community council for Dartmouth and surrounding districts, HEMDCC, voiced support and excitement for the park plan, which could guide future development at the community centre park.

Developments for the park have been discussed for many years in the community. In December 2023, the Pleasant Woodside Neighbourhood Association, North Woodside Community Centre and HomeBridge Youth Society gave a joint presentation to HEMDCC about improving the park. This led HEMDCC to formally request a guiding plan for the area. Planning began last March, as reported by the Post.

An online survey and public open house discussion hosted over the summer informed the North Woodside Community Centre Park Plan, released November 26, 2025.

The park plan includes the development of a centralized play area and a paved network of paths that will provide connectivity in the park. The plan also suggests a lawn, walking track, and a small water feature at the centre of the park.

The plan addresses accessibility concerns through better access to the waterfront trail, reducing slopes where possible on the paths, and adding seating and lighting. It suggests that the parking lot be extended and a potential second entrance to the lot be added opposite Chadwick Street onto Pleasant Street. The current entrance could also be realigned with Marvin Street to further enhance safety at the parking lot.

The report is a conceptual plan, meant to provide guidance for future developments. There is no fixed timeline for the plan and implementation of each phase will depend on budget availability. Upgrades are estimated to cost around $3 million over the course of the plan. Currently there are no capital requests, and it is not likely to be added to the 2025/26 HRM budget.

Staff at Monday’s meeting said that some improvements to the park could start more quickly than other park plans because of existing community interest in stewardship activities, such as invasive species removal. An existing recreation trail grant could also allow sooner development of crusher dust trails through the wooded area of the park.

Typically a recommendation to Halifax Regional Council would be on the agenda at the next meeting or the one following. The next regional council meetings are scheduled for February 24 and March 10.

The full park plan and details can be found here.