West Hants Regional Municipality is fortunate to be home to an incredible variety of outdoor spaces that create the possibility of exciting adventures within our region. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful nature walk, a scenic hike, or a family-friendly afternoon outside, the beautiful landscapes in West Hants have something for everyone. Breathe in the fresh air, discover stunning views, connect with friends, and get active – right in your own backyard. Get outside and experience the best of West Hants in all seasons!
Stretching across 124,200 hectares of land, our region is a place where nature truly shows its beauty. The Avon River winds its way to the Minas Basin, home to the world’s highest tides that rise and fall along 160 kilometres of stunning shoreline and tidal riverbanks. 30 kilometres of dykes protect 2,436 hectares of fertile land, while a variety of lakes and rivers invite you to dive in! Whether you love swimming, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, or boating, there’s always an adventure waiting on the water.
There are two Provincial Parks (Smileys and Falls Lake), two Park Reserves (Cheverie Salt Marsh and St. Croix), and several wilderness areas. Altogether, 12% of the land is protected (as identified by Environment NS) and Crown land.
The Municipality proudly owns and/or manages 73 parks and open space land parcels, covering 492.5 acres. Of these, 43 are dedicated to recreation, and 21 have been developed into well-maintained public recreation sites ready for you to enjoy!
Keep scrolling to discover each of our parks and open spaces, organized by location. You might just find your next favourite outdoor spot!
- Avondale
- Newport Landing Waterfront
- Brooklyn
- Brooklyn Fire Hall Trail
- Irishmans Road Recreation Site
- Manua-Stanley Rail Trail
- Falmouth
- Falmouth Mini Park and Causeway Trail
- Eldridge Road Recreation Site
- Hantsport
- Chittick Park
- Dr. Silas Rand Park
- Fundy Centennial Park
- McDade Park
- R.A. Jodrey Memorial Field
- Riverbank Cemetery
- Shamrock Ball Field
- Hants Shore
- Cheverie Salt Marsh Restoration Trail
- Hobarts Beach
- Kempt Quarry Recreation Site
- Vaughan
- Armstrong Lake Park
- Falls Lake Municipal Land Trail
- Windsor
- Burgess Crescent Playground
- Elmcroft Park
- Maplewood Cemetery
- Tregothic Trail
- Windsor Waterside Park
- Windsor Waterfront Skatepark
- Riverview Trail
- St. Crois Recreation Site
Avondale
Newport Landing Waterfront
1 Avondale Road, Newport Landing
This area is formerly a New England Planter settlement. Due to the proximity to water, shipbuilding was an important industry. The Wharf was divested from the Federal Government to the Municipality in 1990 and rebuilt by the community for $13,000.00. In 1996, the former Municipality of the District of West Hants entered into a lease agreement with the Avon River Heritage Society to allow that organization to develop a portion of the property.
Brooklyn
Brooklyn Fire Hall Trail
The path was developed in 2011 to provide an outdoor option for users of the indoor walking opportunity offered at Brooklyn Civic Centre.
Irishmans Road Recreation Site
151 Irishmans Road, Newport Station
The park sits on land formerly used as a municipal landfill, which was decommissioned in 1984. The soccer fields were named the Ryan Lahey Memorial Soccer fields in 2011 in memory of Ryan Lahey.
Manua-Stanley Rail Trail
[PLACEHOLDER]
Falmouth
Falmouth Mini Park and Causeway Trail
The former Municipality of the District of West Hants entered into a lease agreement with the Department of Transportation in the early 1980s that allowed recreational purposes. In the early 1990s, the Municipality and the Windsor and Area Jaycees agreed to develop.
Eldridge Road Recreation Site
156 Eldridge Road, Upper Falmouth
The parcel was purchased in 1988 from Bernard Curry. The Falmouth Community Hall Association and the former Municipality of the District of West Hants co-operatively developed the land.
Dr. Silas Rand Park
The land was donated to the former Town of Hantsport by Leo and Joyce Vaughn in 1995. Park was named after Dr. Silas Rand, a Baptist Missionary to the Mi’kmaq people.
Fundy Centennial Park
Lands donated by USG Canadian Mining Ltd, Fundy Gypsum Company Division to the former Town of Hantsport for recreation in 1993. Residents of the community created the park during the former Town of Hantsport’s Centennial year, 1995.
Hantsport
Chittick Park
Residents created the park during the former Town of Hantsport's Centennial Year in 1995. made the park during the former Town of Hantsport’s Centennial year, 1995.
McDade Park
Park named after 19th mayor of the former Town of Hantsport, Garnet McDade. The park sits on the original site of the Presbyterian Church (1897-1980).
R.A. Jodrey Memorial Field
[PLACEHOLDER]
Riverbank Cemetery
[PLACEHOLDER]
Shamrock Ball Field
History: This land parcel was deeded to the former Town of Hantsport in 1928 by the Hantsport Amateur Athletic Association.
Hants Shore
Cheverie Salt Marsh Restoration Trail
Camera Obscura was built by Dalhousie University Architecture students in 2012. This parcel was purchased in 2006 by the former Municipality of the District of West Hants from Lacy Calcutt and Willie McKay. The West Hants Trail Association leased the Restoration Trail, and the community initiated the inventory and restoration of the Salt Marsh. The local community organized the Cheverie Crossway Salt Marsh Society. In 2019, the West Hants Trails Association transferred trail/park responsibility back to the West Hants Municipality.”
Hobarts Beach
192 Block Wharf Road, Summerville
It was deeded to the former Municipality of the District of West Hants on November 21, 1991, by Fundy Gypsum Company Limited.
Kempt Quarry Recreation Site
Kempt Forest Drive, Kempt Shore
Decommissioned gypsum quarry. The land was deeded to the former Municipality of the District of West Hants in 1976. It was developed as a recreation site in the mid-1990s, spearheaded by the community.
Vaughan
Armstrong Lake Park
640 Armstrong Lake East Road, Vaughan
Parks and open space contribution from land subdivision.
Falls Lake Municipal Land Trail
History: Parks and open space contribution from land subdivision.
Falmouth Boat Launch
Windsor
Burgess Crescent Playground
Includes a playground, picnic tables, benches, and a playing field.
Elmcroft Park
Includes a playground, swings, two beach volleyball courts and a grassy area. The Hants Aquatic Centre sits on this site as well.
Maplewood Cemetery
[PLACEHOLDER]
Tregothic Trail
Connector trail between Wentworth Road, Windsor Elementary School and Payzant Road, Windsor
1.4 km of gravel connector trail between Wentworth Road, Windsor Elementary School, hospital, Avon View High School, and subdivisions
Windsor Waterside Park
Includes exercise equipment, gazebo, skate park, outdoor basketball courts, trail and floating docks.
Windsor Waterfront Skatepark
[PLACEHOLDER]
Riverview Trail
Connector trail between Water Street, Lakeview Drive, and River Street, Windsor
800 m of gravel trail along Lake Pisaquid, stairs connect to Lakeview Drive and River Street, small beach water access.
St. Crois Recreation Site
History: Land owned initially by Aubrey Smiley and was purchased by the Crown when Highway 101 was constructed. The Crown deeded the remaining lands to the former Municipality of West Hants in 1975 with the stipulation to be used for recreation purposes.
