SHUBIE PARK – Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

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The Shubenacadie waterway was for centuries an important route for Mi'kmaq people during their travels between the Bay of Fundy and Halifax harbor.This system of rivers and lakes was recognized in 1794 by Governor Sir John Wentworth as having both military and economic benefits, and Dartmouth was the terminal for the Shubenacadie Canal in the 1800s. The canal connected Halifax Harbor with the Bay of Fundy through a 115-km course of lakes and locks. The waterway bisected the province and with a few short portages you could easily travel from Kennetcook to Dartmouth.

In 1824, members of the merchant class of Halifax with the hopes of opening a larger market for their goods formed the Shubenacadie Canal Co and the canal route was opened to navigation from 1861 to1870. The well built locks are at Wellington, Fletchers, Lake Portobello, Port Wallace and Lake Banook. Located at the junction of Alderney Drive and Portland Street. The Shubenacadie Canal Interpretive Centre is near the waterfront and you can walk along the canal and follow it along the Dartmouth/Halifax harbor front.

The Fairbanks Interpretive Centre is in Shubie Park at Lock No.3 of the canal system houses artifacts recovered from archaeological digs and a 30-foot working model of a canal lock. Guided tours are offered both inside the facility and along its many trails to outdoor archaeological sites.

The Fairbanks Center is open May to Sept as is located at 54 Locks Road (just off Waverley Road) Port Wallace, Dartmouth,

To explain the construction of the locks there are many signs along the canal. There is an extensive system of trails in the park and you can spend many hours walking or mountain biking them.

There are Paddle Boat/Canoe/Kayak Rentals, a Tour boat, Canteen and picnic area.

One of the locks

Trails along both sides of the canal.

One of the many woods trails.

Take in some of the many Festivals that take place every year in Nova Scotia. You may want to go to the Atlantic Film Festival, Atlantic Fringe Festival, Atlantic Jazz Festival, Nova Scotia Tattoo, Multi-cultural Festival, Apple Blossom Festival, Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival, Stan Rodgers Festival or the Cape Breton Celtic Colours Festival to name a few. Visit Peggy’s Cove, Lunenburg and eat at a Halifax Restaurant.

Get more information on Nova Scotian Festivals here.

Get more information on Halifax Restaurants here.

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