George's Island might soon be open to the Public

[fenwick16]

This sounds like great news. This would provide a great view of the city and be an interesting place to visit as a past military fortification. http://thechronicleherald.ca/NovaScotia/1164271.html

"One of the planned Nova Scotia projects is to open Georges Island to visitors coming to Halifax on cruise ships. The work on the island, located in the middle of the harbour, will include a new dock and washroom facilities.

Georges Island became a Parks Canada historic site in 1965.

"Georges Island is of interest to cruise ships," Mr. Prentice said.

"We’ve seen significant changes in tourism here with the frequency of cruise ships (in Halifax’s harbour)."

[haligonia]

thanks for starting this thread, fenwick16
Does the restoration work they are currently doing on the island include a dock and washrooms, or are these ideas just a proposal?

[fenwick16]

thanks for starting this thread, fenwick16
Does the restoration work they are currently doing on the island include a dock and washrooms, or are these ideas just a proposal?

I should have included more of the article. It states that $3.5 million has been allocated so it seems like it is a definite plan and includes "a new dock and washroom facilities"

"The federal investments for Nova Scotia’s parks include $10,443,000 for the Cabot Trail, $4 million for repairs to buildings at the Halifax Citadel, $3.5 million for Georges Island, $2 million for Fort McNab and $1 million for the Fortress of Louisbourg.

Mr. Prentice said the projects in Nova Scotia’s parks were carefully selected and are reflective of the priorities of attracting tourism and preserving historical sites across the province.

He said the recent investment is the largest amount of funding for Parks Canada in a generation.

One of the planned Nova Scotia projects is to open Georges Island to visitors coming to Halifax on cruise ships. The work on the island, located in the middle of the harbour, will include a new dock and washroom facilities.

Georges Island became a Parks Canada historic site in 1965.

"Georges Island is of interest to cruise ships," Mr. Prentice said.

"We’ve seen significant changes in tourism here with the frequency of cruise ships (in Halifax’s harbour)."

Michael Noonan, spokesman for the provincial Tourism, Culture and Heritage Department, said he is feeling positive about the federal government’s investment in the province’s parks infrastructure.

"It makes us able to market Nova Scotia as a visitor destination," said Mr. Noonan.

"We recognize the value of portraying Nova Scotia as an interesting, historical destination for visitors."

[pnightingale]

I hope they don't plan to open George's Island only to cruise ship passengers....

[ZET]

I hope they don't plan to open George's Island only to cruise ship passengers....

I expect that it would be available to whoever would pay the ferry to get there. I was there during the summer one weekend that it was open. Very nice. Sort of like taking a ferry to dartmouth, looking around a bit and ferry back. Good way to see both sides of the harbour. ZET

[Dr SweetLove]

this is definatly BALLIN, I will take mah woman there for a summertime pick nic, an afternoon DE_LITE no doubt :P

[-Harlington-]

i think this is great, i would definitly go
it probly wont happen due to money and such but if this was another stop on the ferry to woodside it would be pretty cool and efficient

[Empire]

i think this is great, i would definitly go
it probly wont happen due to money and such but if this was another stop on the ferry to woodside it would be pretty cool and efficient

Maybe the Woodside Ferry could go to Georges when it isn't going to Woodside...which is most of the day?

[fenwick16]

A story in today's Chronicle Herald ( http://thechronicleherald.ca/Metro/1173939.html ) indicates that Georges Island will open to the public in the summer of 2012. This should be a good tourist attraction something like the Alcatraz in San Francisco (although less well known). I hope that they will do a good lob of restoring the tunnels (I assume that these connect the various bunkers on the island?). Too bad the myth isn't true; that there is a tunnel to Citadel Hill.

Georges Island opening delayed

By DAVENE JEFFREY Staff Reporter
Thu. Mar 25 - 4:54 AM

A plan to open Georges Island to the public is being delayed until the summer of 2012.

"We want to make sure the money that we had received will be best spent," said Barbara MacDonald, Parks Canada’s project manager for Georges Island.

Last year, Ottawa committed $3.5 million to build infrastructure on the small island at the mouth of Halifax Harbour, but so far most of that cash is still waiting to be spent.

"There haven’t been many expenditures made to date," MacDonald said.

Plans for opening the national historic site to the public had been drawn up several years ago, but MacDonald said those plans were not reflective of what visitors today would want.

Park officials went back to the drawing board and have been consulting with a number of groups, including Nova Scotia Tourism, the Waterfront Development Corporation and local tour operators.

MacDonald said they hope to have the planning stage completed by this summer and then move to a detailed design phase over the winter. "We plan to start construction next spring," she said.

MacDonald said they intend to give visitors either some access to the island’s famed tunnels or at least a taste of what the tunnels are like.

For the past two summers, Georges Island, which is usually closed to visitors, has hosted two-day open houses. There won’t be any such events this year, MacDonald said.

[spaustin]

Parks Canada = Lucy with the football and we're all Charlie Brown. This has been talked about in the past. No surprise it's not happening yet again.

[tribeachpunk]

What is the plan to shuttle people back and forth?

[halifaxboyns]

What is the plan to shuttle people back and forth?

I know of talk that had occured with HRM transportation to build a ferry dock there so the Woodside ferry could stop there - that was one concept that had been considered. Also a couple smaller shuttle boats from near the Ferry Terminal in Halifax.

[tribeachpunk]

I know of talk that had occured with HRM transportation to build a ferry dock there so the Woodside ferry could stop there - that was one concept that had been considered. Also a couple smaller shuttle boats from near the Ferry Terminal in Halifax.

Wouldn't be kind of a hassle if it was a stop en route to the other side of the harbour..?

Seems like a costly venture to provide public transport... Private shuttles make sense to me...

[halifaxboyns]

Wouldn't be kind of a hassle if it was a stop en route to the other side of the harbour..?

Seems like a costly venture to provide public transport... Private shuttles make sense to me...

Well that was one of the issues of that idea - if memory serves. Plus considering that ferry only ran during peak hours; you'd then need money to pay for staff and operating costs outside those hours (which wouldn't be budgetted for).

[-Harlington-]

i read somewhere on the HRM website that they want to make more woodside trips and times and i always thought that a georges island stop wouldnt be to bad since when your on that ferry you could jump to it pretty much, i hope if they make the eastren passage ferry that they do the same with mcnabs island.
the harbour is very underutilized and should be more friendly to the public.

[tribeachpunk]

I'd be pretty annoyed if I used the ferry to commute from Halifax to Dartmouth and we had to stop at an abandoned island each trip.. It'd be a hassle for 99% of the ferry's users. I can't see this being a viable option.

[someone123]

I doubt they'd make stops at rush hour, but even so the Woodside option doesn't make a ton of sense. They could do a little ferry from Bishop's Landing or something.

[tribeachpunk]

They could do a little ferry from Bishop's Landing or something.That sounds reasonable to me :)

[Keith P.]

I don't know where this discussion belongs -- but it isn't in this section. Could a mod relocate it?

[fenwick16]

This is a real development with funding allocated ($3.5 million) for development. Most likely the ferry will be located in downtown Halifax so Halifax Peninsula and Downtown Dartmouth seemed like a logical place to put it.

[-Harlington-]

they should put a cord to pull like on the bus ,lol
next stop georges island
and this would probly fit better in the transportation and infustrucure thread

[fenwick16]

they should put a cord to pull like on the bus ,lol
next stop georges island
and this would probly fit better in the transportation and infustrucure thread
The original thread was about opening (i.e. preserving and building washroom/ferry facilities) on Georges's Island through Parks Canada. It seems like transportation to George's Island fits into the development of George's Island.

Personally, I think a small ferry/water taxi from the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic might be a good idea. There could be an exhibit at the Maritime Museum about George's Island and how it ties into the Halifax area military fortifications. Maybe they could sell passes with options of a) just to Georges Island or b) a combined pass that includes the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.

I think that George`s Island will become a major attraction for the Halifax area similar to the Citadel Hill. Not only does it have fortifications but it is an island in the Atlantic Ocean close to a city.

[-Harlington-]

The original thread was about opening (i.e. preserving and building washroom/ferry facilities) on Georges's Island through Parks Canada. It seems like transportation to George's Island fits into the development of George's Island.

Personally, I think a small ferry/water taxi from the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic might be a good idea. There could be an exhibit at the Maritime Museum about George's Island and how it ties into the Halifax area military fortifications. Maybe they could sell passes with options of a) just to Georges Island or b) a combined pass that includes the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.

I think that George`s Island will become a major attraction for the Halifax area similar to the Citadel Hill. Not only does it have fortifications but it is an island in the Atlantic Ocean close to a city.



i like the museum idea actually, it ties into the idea of the island very well it could be a very good thing for halifax and tourism. people will want to go to it once they see it from the citidel and its fairly close to downtown so it wont be as bad as mcnabs to get to. Not to mention the view.

and maybe a mod could change the name of the thread to just georges island so it can be disscussed in general.

[hfx_chris]

I think it should just be private ferries. The guy who does the trips to McNabs from Eastern Passage could do Georges as well. It makes zero sense to have Metro Transit servicing it. In fact, it makes less than zero sense. The amount of sense is somewhere in the negative values. Like, -6/10.

As far as the island being opened, personally I think it's a mistake. I mean it's not like McNabs where you can go and spend a weekend, 30 minutes and you've seen everything Georges' has to offer.

[fenwick16]

I think that being able to go the island and see everything in a short length of time will be considered to be a positive point to many, since some won't have hours to spare. I wonder if they could open the light house to visitors? That would be one more attraction. One more attraction would be whale and dolphin watching (I have never seen any in the harbour but I have seen pictures taken of whales and dolphins in the Halifax Harbour).

I have heard that McNabbs Island is full of snakes. Are they just small garter snakes?

[-Harlington-]

it would be great to be opened, i would go
great view, great history it might be about an hour trip and that good enough
and fenwick, georges island is the one with snakes. It has the most per capita or something and they are harmless i believe

[fenwick16]

it would be great to be opened, i would go
great view, great history it might be about an hour trip and that good enough
and fenwick, georges island is the one with snakes. It has the most per capita or something and they are harmless i believe

Tourists probably won't like the snakes. I just read that garter snakes like water ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garter_snake ). This might be a dumb question to anyone who is knowledgeable about snakes, but are they in the water and landing on Georges Island or do they primarily live and breed on the Island. If they mainly live and breed on the island then it shouldn't be too difficult to reduce the population. If they are coming out of the water then that would make them far more difficult to control.

[Empire]

Tourists probably won't like the snakes. I just read that garter snakes like water ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garter_snake ). This might be a dumb question to anyone who is knowledgeable about snakes, but are they in the water and landing on Georges Island or do they primarily live and breed on the Island. If they mainly live and breed on the island then it shouldn't be too difficult to reduce the population. If they are coming out of the water then that would make them far more difficult to control.

I have been to George's Island 7 times. It is a truly unique experience. The island is much larger than it appears and offers the best views of anywhere in Metro. You have a view of both bridges, downtown, the container terminal, McNabs Island, Eastern Passage, Chebucto head, Point Pleasant Park and the entrance to the Arm all while surrounded by water, sailboats and container ships. You literally continue to turn and look at something different the whole time you are there. The fortifications are very complex. In the centre (not visible from the citadel) is a parade square. There are ramparts like the citadel and from this point you enter tunnels to the ammo magazines. There is a large underground cavern that is formed in arched brickwork facing the mouth of the harbour. This is where six granite framed openings look out at the mouth of the harbour. Cannons are aimed through the openings guarding the harbour entrance. This island is phenomenal and should be available to everyone. The poisonous snake theory is a myth. The idea was that the snakes came from container ships and thrive in the long grass but there really is no documented proof of their existence. There was one tree on the island and Juan took it out. I hope the lighthouse and keeper building are restored. Some people argue that the island should be left alone but that is like saying stay off citadel hill.

[fenwick16]

I am looking forward to seeing this island. How large is the military complex in relation to the Citadel Hill complex (i.e. 1/4, 1/2, 1/3)? I hope that it can all be restored for 3.5 million including the lighthouse.

I am sure that many cities would be salivating at the thought of having a historic fort on an island within city boundaries.

[ScovaNotian]

The poisonous snake theory is a myth. The idea was that the snakes came from container ships and thrive in the long grass but there really is no documented proof of their existence.
This is no proof, but it does seem that they exist (or at least did at one point): http://museum.gov.ns.ca/mnh/nature/snakes/melanist.htm . I guess they aren't poisonous though.

[Empire]

I am looking forward to seeing this island. How large is the military complex in relation to the Citadel Hill complex (i.e. 1/4, 1/2, 1/3)? I hope that it can all be restored for 3.5 million including the lighthouse.

I am sure that many cities would be salivating at the thought of having a historic fort on an island within city boundaries.

It looks like the military installation is about 1/4 at most the size of the citadel. There are no buildings in the fort area like the citadel, just underground installations. Perhaps it will be be restored with accuracy so anything lost will be regained. The snakes found weren't poisonous.


http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q7/empire1_2007/G1.jpg
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q7/empire1_2007/Georges%20Island/G3.jpg

[fenwick16]

Thank you Empire, for the illustrations. The fortifications are larger than what I expected. This will be a great addition to the city's historic attractions.

[fenwick16]

I got this bird's eye view from Bing Maps. This is a great fort. I lived in Halifax for years and didn't even know that this existed. I wonder how many people in the Halifax area know that such a fort exists on George's Island. I think this will get a lot of visitors from the Halifax area and tourists once it opens. I really hope that they can open the lighthouse also.

http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/5083/georgesisland.jpg

[Empire]

It is a huge asset and has been ignored for years. This will be a must for any visitor and a regular outing for residents. There is tremendous tourism potential and it is hard to imagine why it is taking so long to realize it. Perhaps New Years eve fireworks could be launched from George`s and close the bridge to vehicles and use the bridge as a viewing deck.

Aerial View
http://westinnovascotian.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/aerial-qm2-at-pier-21.jpg

Offshore Picnic 2009
http://www.greatoffshorepicnic.com/gallery/

[Jonovision]

I was very impressed when I went during their open house two summers ago. It found it to be much more interesting a place than citadel hill. And the views were amazing. It is an amazing asset for the city.

I can't recall whether I had posted these or not. Here are some pics that I took that day.

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v251/39/36/94807507/n94807507_34205142_9683.jpg

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v251/39/36/94807507/n94807507_34205167_6214.jpg

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v251/39/36/94807507/n94807507_34205170_7423.jpg

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v251/39/36/94807507/n94807507_34205171_7774.jpg

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v251/39/36/94807507/n94807507_34205177_1509.jpg

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v251/39/36/94807507/n94807507_34205179_2092.jpg

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v251/39/36/94807507/n94807507_34205181_2684.jpg

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v251/39/36/94807507/n94807507_34205184_3605.jpg

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v251/39/36/94807507/n94807507_34205191_504.jpg

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v251/39/36/94807507/n94807507_34205192_817.jpg

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v251/39/36/94807507/n94807507_34205193_1141.jpg

[tribeachpunk]

I think it should just be private ferries. The guy who does the trips to McNabs from Eastern Passage could do Georges as well. It makes zero sense to have Metro Transit servicing it. In fact, it makes less than zero sense. The amount of sense is somewhere in the negative values. Like, -6/10.

As far as the island being opened, personally I think it's a mistake. I mean it's not like McNabs where you can go and spend a weekend, 30 minutes and you've seen everything Georges' has to offer.

Agree. If MT can't make certain stops on mainland Halifax because it isn't economical, they shouldn't be involved in transit to Georges. I like the idea of a private shuttle like the guys is Eastern Passage operate to McNabs.



I have heard that McNabbs Island is full of snakes. Are they just small garter snakes?

IIRC, Georges Island has an enourmous amount of harmless snakes hiding in the island's tall grass. A guide on the island quoted a stat that I can't remember...



I've got a handful of pictures from the island posted here (http://bit.ly/b9ltI5).

[fenwick16]

Thank you Jonovision for posting your pictures, and thanks to tribeachpunk for the link to your pictures (I especially liked the ones of the tunnel and the dead bird on the gun turret). These pictures show views of the city that few Haligonians will ever see unless they go on a harbour boat tour.

This will be a great asset to the city. I am surprised that it wasn't opened sooner (decades ago). I was in San Francisco several years ago and took a tour of Alcatraz Island. I think this will have a similar appeal (although not as well know).

Maybe once George's Island is opened people will stop worrying about the Citadel view (although not likely). As far as seeing the harbour goes, the views from Georges Island will be much better. Then there are all the additional views of the bridges and downtown buildings.

[fenwick16]

I was very impressed when I went during their open house two summers ago. It found it to be much more interesting a place than citadel hill. And the views were amazing. It is an amazing asset for the city.

I can't recall whether I had posted these or not. Here are some pics that I took that day.

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v251/39/36/94807507/n94807507_34205181_2684.jpg

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v251/39/36/94807507/n94807507_34205193_1141.jpg

I just wanted to repost these two pictures from Jonovision's collection. These two pictures show how renovating (recladding) Fenwick Towers will have a positive impact on the city skyline (it will look so much better clad in glass instead of all the concrete). The second picture of Purdy's Wharf looks great. Once the NS Power building is complete then it will also dramatically improve the city skyline.

PS: Could the moderator change the thread title? How about: George's Island Set to Open in 2012

[tribeachpunk]

Thank you Jonovision for posting your pictures, and thanks to tripeachpunk for the link to your pictures (I especially liked the ones of the tunnel and the dead bird on the gun turret). These pictures show views of the city that few Haligonians will ever see unless they go on a harbour boat tour.


That's what I strive for :)

[fenwick16]

That's what I strive for :)

I hope that you won't mind me posting a couple of your pictures below. I find the one of the dead bird to be very intriguing.

I didn't know before that the George's Island fort is named Fort Charlotte; it is amazing that so little is known about this great historic site (is it just me, or is there just not much being publicized by Parks Canada and the city - maybe they didn't want to draw too much attention to it until they were ready to proceed)

(source: tribeachpunk, http://cpharmon.blogspot.com/2008/07/15-june-08-exploring-georges-island.html )
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii170/tribeachpunk/georges%20island/100_0537.jpg

(source: tribeachpunk, http://cpharmon.blogspot.com/2008/07/15-june-08-exploring-georges-island.html )
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii170/tribeachpunk/georges%20island/100_0546.jpg

[tribeachpunk]

1.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii170/tribeachpunk/georges800x600/07a01809.jpg

2.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii170/tribeachpunk/georges800x600/935a60e2.jpg

3.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii170/tribeachpunk/georges800x600/bd8e573c.jpg

4.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii170/tribeachpunk/georges800x600/eec4a768.jpg

5.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii170/tribeachpunk/georges800x600/f1e0b870.jpg

6.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii170/tribeachpunk/georges800x600/e1007abc.jpg

7.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii170/tribeachpunk/georges800x600/77d39d11.jpg

8.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii170/tribeachpunk/georges800x600/1fbbaa93.jpg

9.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii170/tribeachpunk/georges800x600/f0962cdd.jpg

10.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii170/tribeachpunk/georges800x600/6d3d793e.jpg

11.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii170/tribeachpunk/georges800x600/1bf840e0.jpg

12.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii170/tribeachpunk/georges800x600/2f856bb8.jpg

13.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii170/tribeachpunk/georges800x600/cfdf5e15.jpg

14.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii170/tribeachpunk/georges800x600/652ce014.jpg

15.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii170/tribeachpunk/georges800x600/b4657a51.jpg

16.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii170/tribeachpunk/georges800x600/b1cc2ef5.jpg

17.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii170/tribeachpunk/georges800x600/2ad51186.jpg

18.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii170/tribeachpunk/georges800x600/1c872ee3.jpg

[fenwick16]

Thanks for posting your pictures, tripeachpunk. Was the lighthouse open when you were there?

Whoops. I meant tribeachpunk

[tribeachpunk]

you're welcome :)

no, it wasn't open

[Empire]

Excellent photos tirbeachpunk ......you really captured what it is like to be there.

[hfx_chris]

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii170/tribeachpunk/georges800x600/e1007abc.jpg

I took an almost identical picture whileI was over there. It is now framed and on my wall :)

I'll agree with you guys it's a beautiful island, I just don't want to see HRM providing transit to it at taxpayers expense. And I'm still not totally sure I even want it to be open to the public anyway.
Oh well, McNabs on the other hand will always be special to me :)

[fenwick16]

NcNabs Island would probably be a popular site if a private ferry were operated from the Halifax side, especially for the sake of tourists (not many tourists go to the Eastern Passage where the private ferry is located). This also has fortifications and the remnants of a Victorian Garden (according to Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McNabs_Island ). I had been thinking about McNabs Island, since it is a Provincial Park, it would make sense to have better access. This is a large land area, much larger than Point Pleasant Park (it looks like almost 4 times as large based on Mapquest images). Has there ever been any talk of building a pedestrian bridge to NcNabs Island from the Dartmouth side?

These two islands haven't been very popular tourist sites since they haven't been promoted as such. Devil's Island is another possible excursion site. With all the planned residential construction in Dartmouth such as King's Wharf, McNab's Island and Devil's Island will likely become more popular in the near future.

[Wishblade]

What a wonderful perspective of downtown from the island too!

thanks for the pictures :)

[cormiermax]

Is McNabbs open to the public?

[fenwick16]

Is McNabbs open to the public?

According to this brochure ( http://www.pc.gc.ca/voyage-travel/pv-vp/itm2-/ne-ns_E.pdf ) it is only open during the summer months. I misspelled McNabs Island in my previous post (it should just have one "b" at the end).

[cormiermax]

Iv lived in this city for 15 years and have never been there, Maybe its time for a visit.

[tribeachpunk]

Is McNabbs open to the public?

I've been out in the spring and summer months. I was under the impression that it was open year round, but could very well be wrong and if the .gov website says so, I must be..

You're supposed to camp in the designated area only without any kind of campfire. You are also supposed to notify DNR if you intend to camp on the island.

The guys who operate the shuttles out of EP (Red Beard, Steven Taylor) will tell you everything you need to know about the on the boat-ride out. They also want to know where you're going to be and will take contact info. Mainly because they need to pick you up, but they really care about the island. I think the last thing they want to do is ferry a bunch of vandals (or worse) over there.

BTW, there is a McNabs clean-up underway today.

2009 Results:

Our enthusiastic volunteers collected 260 garbage bags + 40 blue bags. There were 120 volunteers who travelled on the boat to the island plus 30 girl guides joined us on the island.

Along with hundreds of plastic tampon applicators and used syringes from the failed sewer system of Halifax, we found plastic garbage of all sorts, Styrofoam, rope and Tim Horton's coffee cups. We also found unusual items like:

* metre high Santa Claus lawn ornament
* bucket seat of a car
* bar fridge
* several hard hats
* very old and weathered large geometry protractor
* baby soother
* various articles of clothing from underwear, coats, pants, boots,
* an NDP election sign from the last election
* patio table
* stereo speakers
* fibre glass hockey blade
* a large purple stuffed dog
* carpet
* a large pail full of used oil filters
* propane tanks
* membership card to Nubodys
* shotgun shells
* marine flares

I have a small collection of hardhats from the island. :)

[-Harlington-]

im thinking of going to mcnabs this summer ive never been there either and would like to, i see so much potential for both islands as destinations for tourists and residents alike.

[MonctonRad]

I've always been fascinated by George's Island.

I lived in Halifax for nine years and usually get back there 3-4 times a year since. The waterfront is always my favourite place to hang out, regardless of season (well, except for maybe February :haha: ).

To my mind, restoring George's Island and providing a shuttle there during the tourist season would be the most important missing link in a downtown Halifax tourism strategy.

- You could tie it into tourism promotion for The Citadel (perhaps with a discounted ticket to visit both attractions).
- Lots of tourists would like to visit the island just for the ferry ride.
- The view from the island is every bit as spectacular as the one from The Citadel.
- It would be popular both for locals and for tourists.
- It really is Halifax's version of Alcatraz (even though it is a fort and not an infamous prison).
- Most cities would die to have something like this on their waterfront.


I agree that access to the island should be by some other means than by the harbour ferries. A seperate shuttle of some form would be best. Since it is a federal park, a private service contracted by the government would seem best.

[tribeachpunk]

im thinking of going to mcnabs this summer ive never been there either and would like to, i see so much potential for both islands as destinations for tourists and residents alike.


Aside from maintaining some of the existing structures, I anticipate little change in the way things are on McNabs... There won't be the infrastructure out there for droves of tourists..

I really hope it stays the way it is.

[Dmajackson]

Given the location of the wharf on George's Island I think an entrepeneur (maybe subsidized by the government) could easily run a ferry from the waterfront to Georges and then onto McNab's.

As for the supposed snake problem I have green garter snakes in my backyard right now (along with a coyote and families of deer, racoons and skunks) and they are not venemous at all and blend in with the grass so they are barely noticable. There is actually a higher chance of getting Lyme disease where I live then getting sick from a snake bit.

[ScovaNotian]

Aside from maintaining some of the existing structures, I anticipate little change in the way things are on McNabs... There won't be the infrastructure out there for droves of tourists..
There is a management plan in place for the park (see http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr/parks/management/pdf-mcnabs/dmpa.pdf). I think work on the trail system may be ongoing, but I agree that overall the island is likely not going to change much.

[fenwick16]

There is a management plan in place for the park (see http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr/parks/management/pdf-mcnabs/dmpa.pdf). I think work on the trail system may be ongoing, but I agree that overall the island is likely not going to change much.

Thanks for the link ScovaNotian (great username!). I hope that you won't mind that I fixed the link: http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr/parks/management/pdf-mcnabs/dmpa.pdf

If you put a bracket after the website link, you must leave a space between the link and bracket otherwise the bracket becomes part of the website link and it won't work.

[ScovaNotian]

Right, thanks, I've fixed it.

[tribeachpunk]

As for the supposed snake problem I have green garter snakes in my backyard right now (along with a coyote and families of deer, racoons and skunks) and they are not venemous at all and blend in with the grass so they are barely noticable. There is actually a higher chance of getting Lyme disease where I live then getting sick from a snake bit.

I didn't see a single snake on Georges. I didn't really look for them, but they certainly weren't everywhere/all over the place. There may be a lot of them out there but the keep to themselves AFAIK.

There is a management plan in place for the park (see http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr/parks/management/pdf-mcnabs/dmpa.pdf). I think work on the trail system may be ongoing, but I agree that overall the island is likely not going to change much.

Thanks for the link!!

[fenwick16]

Given the location of the wharf on George's Island I think an entrepeneur (maybe subsidized by the government) could easily run a ferry from the waterfront to Georges and then onto McNab's.

As for the supposed snake problem I have green garter snakes in my backyard right now (along with a coyote and families of deer, racoons and skunks) and they are not venemous at all and blend in with the grass so they are barely noticable. There is actually a higher chance of getting Lyme disease where I live then getting sick from a snake bit.

Since the George's Island snakes are just Garter snakes, they might be an added attraction, especially since they are reported to be very docile. As long as they aren't slithering around the tunnels ; it wouldn't bother me too much, however it would certainly scare some tourists away if they don't know what they are. ScovaNotian previously posted this interesting link on the Garter snakes of George's Island: http://museum.gov.ns.ca/mnh/nature/snakes/melanist.htm. Maybe there should be some signs posted with some interesting information on the snakes.

[tribeachpunk]

Bing's 'Birds-Eye' view of Georges Island is pretty good!!

http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&cp=rf65q59q31vr&scene=43559898&lvl=1&sty=o

[hfx_chris]

I really hope it stays the way it is.
Amen to that. Unfortunately I haven't been able to get out to the island for the last couple of years. I should get out there a few times this summer. So peaceful and beautiful.

[Empire]

I've always been fascinated by George's Island.

I lived in Halifax for nine years and usually get back there 3-4 times a year since. The waterfront is always my favourite place to hang out, regardless of season (well, except for maybe February :haha: ).

To my mind, restoring George's Island and providing a shuttle there during the tourist season would be the most important missing link in a downtown Halifax tourism strategy.

- You could tie it into tourism promotion for The Citadel (perhaps with a discounted ticket to visit both attractions).
- Lots of tourists would like to visit the island just for the ferry ride.
- The view from the island is every bit as spectacular as the one from The Citadel.
- It would be popular both for locals and for tourists.
- It really is Halifax's version of Alcatraz (even though it is a fort and not an infamous prison).
- Most cities would die to have something like this on their waterfront.


I agree that access to the island should be by some other means than by the harbour ferries. A seperate shuttle of some form would be best. Since it is a federal park, a private service contracted by the government would seem best.

Halifax has a real Alcatraz. Melville Island where the Armdale Yacht Club now stands was home to a military prison and prisoner of war camp.

http://www.mccord-museum.qc.ca/en/collection/artifacts/VIEW-3395.1?Lang=1&accessnumber=VIEW-3395.1
http://www.armdaleyachtclub.ns.ca/history.htm

[fenwick16]

Halifax has a real Alcatraz. Melville Island where the Armdale Yacht Club now stands was home to a military prison and prisoner of war camp.

http://www.mccord-museum.qc.ca/en/collection/artifacts/VIEW-3395.1?Lang=1&accessnumber=VIEW-3395.1
http://www.armdaleyachtclub.ns.ca/history.htm

Do any of the historic buildings still stand. I read through the second link but I am not sure if anything still stands.

[spaustin]

These two islands haven't been very popular tourist sites since they haven't been promoted as such. Devil's Island is another possible excursion site. With all the planned residential construction in Dartmouth such as King's Wharf, McNab's Island and Devil's Island will likely become more popular in the near future.

If you're interested in Devils Island, it can be yours for $2 million. The whole thing is up for sale right now, minus the small portion that is a DFO lighthouse.
http://www.realtor.ca/propertyDetails.aspx?propertyId=9152102

[fenwick16]

If you're interested in Devils Island, it can be yours for $2 million. The whole thing is up for sale right now, minus the small portion that is a DFO lighthouse.
http://www.realtor.ca/propertyDetails.aspx?propertyId=9152102

Interesting. However, I think that I will pass. I can see why provincial parks are usually government run enterprises - since they usually don't make money.

[Empire]

Do any of the historic buildings still stand. I read through the second link but I am not sure if anything still stands.

There is at least one of the smaller stone buildings standing and being used by the Yach Club as a maintenance building. It has been altered over time but is a good reminder of what was there. It's a very unique setting and it's too bad the Yacht Club building couldn't be brought up to scratch.

[fenwick16]

Does anyone know if work has started on preparing George's Island to open to the public. Wikipedia has a page on George's Island. It is interesting to note that Boston also has a George's Island that is already open to the public (it looks somewhat similar to Halifax's George's Island). The HRM should be encouraging Parks Canada to open George's Island as soon as possible (in my opinion).

Halifax's George's Island - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georges_Island_%28Nova_Scotia%29

Boston's George's Island - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georges_Island_%28Massachusetts%29

[Jonovision]

I have yet to see any crews over on the island yet.

[fenwick16]

Does anyone have an update on the George's Island opening. I thought that it was scheduled to open in 2012. Was any work done there during the summer?

[fenwick16]

There was a story that mentioned the possible opening of Georges Island sometime in the future (as previously promised by the Federal government). Here is a link to the full Chronicle Herald story - http://thechronicleherald.ca/metro/104530-concert-on-georges-island-ok-but-rules-prevail


Concert on Georges Island OK but rules prevail
June 7, 2012 - 4:12am By PAT LEE Staff Reporter
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Whenever you take care and control of a rented property you need to return it in the condition in which you received it.”

Although the public cannot normally visit the island, Parks Canada is considering hosting a public event the day after the concert.

Water, sewage and electrical upgrades have been undertaken on the island, which Ottawa has promised to open to the public on a regular basis sometime in the future.

Georges is home to Fort Charlotte, an unmanned radar station, lighthouse and a series of tunnels.

Murphy’s Sailing Tours Ltd. has won the contract to ferry people to and from the island during the concert.

The tall ships will be in Halifax from July 19-23 and tour the rest of the province from July 25-29.

[fenwick16]

Will anyone be going to George's Island on the weekend for the tour on Sunday or concert on the 21st (Saturday)?

It would be great to see some pictures of the updated facilities. Hopefully George's Island will be opened permanently in the near future. It would be a great tourist attraction.


Tall Ships: Fab fare, much more
July 19, 2012 - 4:17am By BILL SPURR Features Writer
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On Sunday, guided tours of Georges Island begin at 9 a.m., departing from South Battery pier. That evening, Parks Canada will host a sunset ceremony at Citadel Hill at 8 p.m.
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(full story ans source: http://thechronicleherald.ca/artslife/118661-tall-ships-fab-fare-much-more)

[pblaauw]

Parks Canada has been saying it's going to open George's Island to the public ever since I was in high school.

I'll believe it when I see it. Meanwhile, I hope the concert goers get the pants scared off them by snakes. :)

[Keith P.]

Apparently there is a smoking ban at the concert there due to concerns about grass fires given the dry conditions. Of course the potheads that ruin every concert for everyone else are ignoring it.

[someone123]

Parks Canada has been saying it's going to open George's Island to the public ever since I was in high school.

It's too bad. I guess there's no real pressure to get it done -- it's been "any year now" for at least 10 years or so. If George's were opened up it would be a great tourist attraction, with excellent views of the city and harbour.

I would say that Halifax's public spaces are in general poorly maintained and managed. George's reminds me of McNab's, Point Pleasant Park, the Commons, and the Grand Parade. They are mostly neglected (often under the guise of "preservation"), except for when we see some ad hoc, typically uninspired addition (see the cinder block washroom huts on the North Common for an example). In particular there was a great opportunity for Point Pleasant after Juan and 9 years later it seems to have been almost entirely wasted.

A big part of the problem is that regional council doesn't invest in the core much, but another part of the problem is the "Friends of X" type of attitude that everything is best left the way it is. I'm pretty sure that there are people who would lobby to save an enormous sheep grazing ground in the middle of the city if that's what the Commons were still used for. The fact that such a site would be of no use to 99.9% of the city's inhabitants would not seriously enter into consideration.

[Keith P.]

I seem to recall that there were several ambitious plans to re-do various things in Point Pleasant that were unveiled a couple of years after Juan. I also seem to recall that the (wait for it) Friends of Point Pleasant Park fiercely opposed them. I do not believe anything at all has been done.

[someone123]

I seem to recall that there were several ambitious plans to re-do various things in Point Pleasant that were unveiled a couple of years after Juan. I also seem to recall that the (wait for it) Friends of Point Pleasant Park fiercely opposed them. I do not believe anything at all has been done.

There was actually an international design competition and there were multiple proposals created by firms specializing in revitalizing outdoor public space like Point Pleasant. Predictably, a conservative plan was chosen and then watered down (the Friends know better than to follow the advice of professional landscape architects and the like). Supposedly the park was to "naturally regenerate" itself, i.e. remain as a Nagasaki-style moonscape for a decade or more. I tend to think that one of the unspoken features of the "plan" was that it would not attract people and traffic from other parts of the city -- Point Pleasant, as ugly as most of it was, could at least still mostly remain a playground for South Enders.

There was a nice plan for the North Common too but not much seems to have been done about that and the oval was not part of it. There was yet another nice plan for the Grade Parade but the best features have not been implemented. The recent addition of the arch again was not planned for and goes against the earlier goal of having an open event space.

On top of this there are all the DOA streetscape plans.

The one bright spot I think is the Public Gardens and, before that, the Victoria Park (Robbie Burns) square. That square is much nicer than what was there before.

Maybe the public space in front of the library will also be decent. Or maybe the "Friends of the Library Shrubs and Grass Berm" will make sure that the new $60M building remains hidden behind some bushes, recycling bins, and a gravel path.

[Jonovision]

I was on the island today. It was an awesome time! I posted some pics in the Halifax skyline thread. They should be doing these concerts at least once a year and I hope this one proved that it can be done.

As far as the condition of the island, well it has not changed much since I went a few years ago when it first opened for the public for those few days. In fact it was even less maintained, but I still have hopes that they will invest and make it into a great new space for Halifax.

[fenwick16]

I was on the island today. It was an awesome time! I posted some pics in the Halifax skyline thread. They should be doing these concerts at least once a year and I hope this one proved that it can be done.

As far as the condition of the island, well it has not changed much since I went a few years ago when it first opened for the public for those few days. In fact it was even less maintained, but I still have hopes that they will invest and make it into a great new space for Halifax.

This quote was in one story (http://thechronicleherald.ca/metro/104530-concert-on-georges-island-ok-but-rules-prevail) - "Water, sewage and electrical upgrades have been undertaken on the island, which Ottawa has promised to open to the public on a regular basis sometime in the future.".

Is this correct, that permanent washroom facilities had been set up? That would be a big step towards opening the island on a permanent basis.

EDITED: I found the answer in this photo (below) by Bencaplan at https://twitter.com/bencaplanmusic/status/226753505308856320. Apparently it was port-o-potties instead of permanent washroom facilities.

(source: https://twitter.com/bencaplanmusic/status/226753505308856320 )
http://distilleryimage0.instagram.com/1e2c896ed36611e1837022000a1e95f3_7.jpg

[scooby074]

I talked to a couple of the Tall Ships Volunteers yesterday.

I cant believe the BS about the concert. Everybody had to be off by dusk..nice.:hell: What an awesome spot it would have been to watch the fireworks.

They had far too few portapotties. I guess people were waiting over an hour for a toilet... And dont even think about pissing in the bushes.. If you even stepped off the path, security was there "Dont even think about it".

The volunteers I spoke to said that "they'll never open the Island. They are too concerned about the ecosystem". So concerned they open it up to 3000 concert goers?

Opening the Island could have been so good, yet it ended up a clusterfuck IMHO.

I really wanted to tour the tunnels today, because its a relatively rare chance, but it wasnt happening.

[someone123]

Apparently it was port-o-potties instead of permanent washroom facilities.

This isn't really proof that they haven't upgraded the facilities though. It seems unlikely that they would put in permanent washroom facilities capable of handling thousands of people. The North Common has public washrooms for example but still needs port-o-potties for special events.

I suspect there just isn't that much pressure to open the island up. There are no real goals in place and no consequences if they put it off indefinitely.

[fenwick16]

.
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The volunteers I spoke to said that "they'll never open the Island. They are too concerned about the ecosystem". So concerned they open it up to 3000 concert goers?
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Hopefully the volunteers were just non-informed about the $3.5 million that the federal government committed in 2010. I imagine that garter snakes would do just as well on McNabs Island as Georges Island. So it seems more important as a heritage site than as an ecological site.

[MonctonRad]

Hopefully the volunteers were just non-informed about the $3.5 million that the federal government committed in 2010. I imagine that garter snakes would do just as well on McNabs Island as Georges Island. So it seems more important as a heritage site than as an ecological site.

I say deport the damned snakes to McNab's. Georges Island is way too important as a heritage site and (potential) tourist attraction to be so concerned about the living conditions of a few hundred snakes.

It's not as if garter snakes are endangered! We can't turn everyplace into an ecological reserve.... :slob:

I wonder how long it will take for a new group to spring up - something like "The Friends of the George's Island Snakes". That would really stifle any prospect for the development of this treasure in Halifax Harbour!! :hell:

[cormiermax]

Should we really give a damn about the ecosystem on some little island when there is an important historical site which we should have access to?

[scooby074]

Should we really give a damn about the ecosystem on some little island when there is an important historical site which we should have access to?

Agreed.

The whole "ecosystem" angle certainly gives them an out. What with all the cuts to Parks Canada in the current budget... Wouldn't surprise me.
:hell:

As to the volunteers themselves, they were the "old biddy" types (no disrespect... they were quite friendly) .. so Im going to assume that they had their facts straight.

Did the water/sewer and electrical upgrades actually get done?

[someone123]

Looks like it's happening in 2020:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/georges-island-federal-government-nova-scotia-develop-wharf-1.5241786

[MonctonRad]

:previous:

:tup:

I went over to Georges Island the other year when Parks Canada had it opened for a weekend. It was very interesting, larger than it looks, and has a unique perspective on the Halifax waterfront.

They will need to cut back the brambles a bit, employ interpreters and have signs, put in washrooms and some facilities (like places to get something to drink, or perhaps eat). I got a terrible sunburn when I was on the island, because there weren't really any places to get out of the sun, and I got dehydrated too because of the absence of any canteens or vending machines.

[Keith P.]

I wonder if they intend to do anything about the snakes.

[someone123]

I wonder if they intend to do anything about the snakes.

I've heard that the snake population (and probably rodent population etc.) fluctuates a lot from year to year and the stories about the island being overrun were from an unusually high year. The snakes don't really like open areas and can be active at night so I bet if people were encouraged to keep on the paths and visit during certain hours it would be possible for the snakes to continue to live there.

I've said it (or written it before), but I think this is another prime "not living up to potential" example and it's good that it'll finally be fixed. It's potentially a great attraction that will be usable with only a small amount of investment ($2M).

[OldDartmouthMark]

The main concern would be for the health and safety of the snakes as they are not of the poisonous variety...

An exciting development for Haligonians! :tup:

[q12]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ed7RcKeXgAAOKKN?format=jpg&name=large

https://twitter.com/flitelab/status/1287696831783284738