‘No Trespassing’ signs at Dartmouth Cove spur confusion regarding public access
The company aiming to infill of part of Dartmouth Cove has posted “No Trespassing” signs along the Dartmouth Harbourfront Trail at the cove.
The signs say the private property notice is the result of the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) “restricting the owner’s access to their property and obstructing a 2006 agreement that allowed the Harbour Walk Trail to cross their private property.”
The land is owned by 4197847 Nova Scotia Ltd., a company associated with Atlantic Road Construction and Paving (ARCP).
Bruce Wood, CFO of ARCP, told the Post the company wants to work with the city to access the land, but HRM’s decision to restrict land access goes against their agreement with the city.
“They were the first ones to issue the protection of property notices,” said Wood. “If that’s the path they want to go down, the outcomes can be very negative, especially for the residents in the city.
“If we end up fighting this in a legal way, and we win, HRM loses everything. There is no trail. There is no agreement,” said Wood. “Everything’s gone, and we’re under no obligation to provide them with anything.”
HRM restricted ARCP’s access to the land in December 2025, following a request of access through Skokomul Street. The request cites the easement agreement between a previous property owner and the city in 2006.
In its response, HRM said it holds a different interpretation of the easement agreement and that the municipality prohibited ARCP and its affiliates from using the access point.
Wood said HRM’s denial of access signaled the end of the easement agreement.
“HRM, by issuing the protection of property order, violated that clause,” said Wood. “So we’re in a position where, if that’s the case, then there is no longer a trail.”
From the city’s point of view, District Councillor Sam Austin told CBC that HRM considers the easement agreement as still valid.
There is an ongoing legal dispute between the company and HRM about the access clause in the easement agreement.
Public or Private Trail?
Jill Brogan is the co-founder of Save Dartmouth Cove and has been vocal against the infilling project proposed by ARCP.
Last Friday, Brogan received a letter directly from the company’s lawyer stating that she and anyone associated with her is banned from the trail. A similar letter was sent to Councillor Austin.
“That was a rather surprising thing to receive in my inbox,” Brogan told the Post. “But I don’t grant it any weight in all honesty. It’s a public trail, and as far as we’re concerned, that easement for the trail for the public is still in effect.”
Brogan said the trail was given to the community in “good faith” through the easement agreement and she can’t imagine the company legally blocking the trail.
“People rely on that area for more than just walking. They rely on it for their mental health. They rely on it to get from A to B. And the whole notion that they could just take it away is just ridiculous,” said Brogan.
Wood said the sign is there to inform the public of the law and the company’s rights as property owners.
“I think most people think that it’s public land and it’s a park,” said Wood. “We expect people to follow the law. We expect the municipality to follow the law.”
Sarah Brannen, a public affairs adviser for HRM, told the Chronical Herald that property owners can put up signs to mark private property. However, the trail itself is a municipal/provincial partnership.
Trail users who spoke with the Post on Thursday expressed confusion about the signs and trail access, but many people have continued to use the walkway.
The signs say that the site will be monitored. Wood said this means people are visiting the site and they could put up surveillance cameras.
As for the infilling plan for Dartmouth Cove, Wood said the company is still waiting for a permit from Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
“We’re still waiting for the permit, but it has nothing to do with HRM. Once those are in place, the infilling would be able to begin regardless of HRM,” said Wood.