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
).
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.