Park West School Park Engagement
We are seeking your input regarding the potential sale or long-term lease of municipal parkland for a new school in the forested area of Park West School Park (see survey below).
Request from the Province
Due to school enrollment increases in Clayton Park West, the Province’s Department of Infrastructure and Housing (IAH) has been looking for a suitable location for a new school. The Province has requested that the Halifax Regional Municipality consider whether the parkland below, highlighted in red, could be acquired from the municipality. A new school would potentially be built off Radcliffe Drive, to the south of the sports field in the area that is currently forested. Pathways and other connections between the adjoining streets and the school grounds would be retained. This would be a preferred site, due to its central location, proximity to the existing Park West School, and its sports field.
To learn more about what the school the province is proposing see Proposed School (Important Documents). The Nova Scotia Department of IAH commissioned a TIS - Traffic Impact Study (see Important Documents). The traffic study has been provided at this stage for information purposes and will be subject to further updates and review, should the lands be acquired by the Province.
Impact to Parkland
The main impact of the transfer of the parkland to the province for the new school would be the loss of ecosystem benefits provided by the forest and the potential for the municipality to use this area for future park development.
Ecosystem benefits include, but are not limited to, improved air quality, carbon sequestration, stormwater retention, urban heat island mitigation, wildlife habitat and enhanced human physical and psychological health (Urban Forest Master Plan).
Process
An initial staff report has been considered by Regional Council. It subsequently directed that community engagement occur on the proposed transfer of the parkland to the province. The engagement consists of the information on this webpage, a survey (see below), and an opportunity to email comments to HRM staff (Penelope Kuhn: kuhnp@halifax.ca). Community input will be provided to Regional Council and also shared with the province.
Questions about the potential new school or other school-related comments should be directed to Mr. Joe MacEachern, Executive Director, Finance and Facilities, Nova Scotia Department of Education & Early Childhood Education: joe.maceachern@novascotia.ca
The engagement period will end on June 21st, 2021. Following this, a staff report will be prepared for Regional Council. A notice will be published in the Municipal Notices section of the Chronicle Herald at least two weeks prior to the Regional Council meeting. Updates will also be posted on this webpage.
Please proceed to the survey below.
You can receive a paper copy of the survey by contacting Penelope Kuhn kuhnp@halifax.ca