Monthly Archives: February 2016

Jacob’s ladder is a popular and well-known part of Victoria Park. The 175-steps are great for avid exercisers and those looking to venture to other areas of the park.

Explore Victoria Park, Truro

Guest column, Emily Hiltz

Every time I journey through Victoria Park, I find myself thinking about how unbelievably fortunate the residents of Truro and Colchester County are to have such a beautiful park in their midst. While walking on the trails, I often expect to see Bambi emerge from the thicket or Snow White whistling through the trees. A walk in Victoria Park feels like you have been magically transported into another time and place.

Nestled in the Southeast corner of Truro, Victoria Park was established in 1887 when 25 acres of land were given to the town by local resident Susan Waddell Stevens for the creation of a public park. Today, the approximately 1,000 acres of land are considered one of Truro’s greatest treasures. Along with two rugged waterfalls, countless trails and well-known Jacob’s Ladder – the 175-step stairway – the park also includes an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, a little league ballfield, playground, bandshell and picnic area. The park’s enchanted interior includes unique geological formations in the gorge and river bed areas and soaring hard and softwood trees on the cliffs and forest area.

The park was named ‘Colchester’s Best Family Outing’ 2015 by the Truro and Colchester Chamber of Commerce.

Victoria Park is a unique gem, regardless of the season. In the summer, runners, hikers and families can be found enjoying a picnic in the park’s breathtaking scenery. In the winter, it’s a popular spot for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

The park’s trails range from lengthy routes for those interested in an afternoon trek to shorter walks for people who enjoy a short stroll. Signs are set up in different areas of the park to help visitors find their way, as well as highlight the lengths of the nearby trails and their terrain. Some trails, like the favored Wood Street Lookoff are picturesque and offer a rare view of the town and the Salmon River, while many other trails are perfect for birdwatchers and nature lovers alike.

A short walk into the park on the lower trail along Lepper Brook will take a visitor past the Holy Well Gazebo – a popular spot for wedding photos – Jacob’s ladder, and eventually the Joseph Howe Falls, which were named for Howe after he admired them on a visit in 1830. A couple sets of stairs takes the visitor to the Waddell Falls, which are named after the park’s original donor of land.

Cyclists are welcome in the park, but are urged to stay on hard-surface trails to prevent damage to environmentally sensitive areas of the park and yield to pedestrians.

If you’re going to be visiting the park, make sure to check out the Town of Truro website (www.truro.ca) for public activities or events coinciding with your visit. In the summer, there are often day camps for children in the park and swimming lessons at the pool. On occasion, there is also music and entertainment in the bandshell area. In the winter, there are sometimes guided walks through the park’s trails. In addition, cross-country skis, poles and snowshoes can be rented from the Truro Parks, Recreation and Culture offices.

If you will be passing through Truro in the near future, I strongly suggest placing Victoria Park as a priority on your must see list of places to visit.

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Article and photographs by Emily Hiltz a freelance journalist.

Destination Eastern and Northumberland Shores Nova Scotia

Eastern and Northumberland Shores

DEANS press release, Feb 23, 2016

Two videos featuring the Northumberland and Eastern Shores have recently been launched by the regional tourism association, Destination Eastern and Northumberland Shores (DEANS) with the goal to promote the beauty and character of the region to visitors. The Northumberland Shore clip features stunning beaches, cobalt blue waters and golden shores as well as a rich Scottish and industrial history along with lush meadows and scenic waterways, while the Eastern Shore video highlights breathtaking panoramic coastal shots, outdoor adventure, unique event and heritage experiences.

The smiling faces in the videos are actual residents of the two shores who are proud to be ambassadors for their communities and province and pleased to showcase diverse tourism experiences and amenities awaiting visitors. They each offer a warm invitation to uncover the unspoiled beauty of rural Nova Scotia and a chance to meet and connect with those who love life in this part of the world.

“Nova Scotia is known around the world for its beautiful world class icons but there is even more for visitors to uncover. Rural communities such as those along our two shores offer memorable authentic experiences that speak to our Nova Scotia way of life,” says Cindy MacKinnon, DEANS Managing Director. “In this region you will find unspoiled shorelines, warm waters and night skies that are filled with stars. We have a pristine beauty that others want to not only see, but experience. There are also many outdoor activities for those visitors who want soft adventure and to explore and truly understand life by the sea as well as the chance to savour the stories, music and cuisine that are part of our coastal communities and charming, historic towns. These two shores have a lot to offer-opportunities to experience the natural beauty of miles of coastline, rivers and lakes as well as stirring music and inspiring arts and culture. There are quality products and experiences being offered along both shores by tourism industry leaders and our communities that include outdoor exploration, amazing bounty harvested from both land and sea, opportunities to take a step back in time, uplifting fun filled festivals and delectable cuisine from innovative chefs as well as home spun cooking/baking in our restaurants and accommodations from recipes that have stood the test of time, from generation to generation.

Visit DEANS Facebook Pages

Karen Wenaus, Chair of DEANS and Wes Surrett, Chair of the DEANS Marketing Committee, are also property managers of two destination accommodations on each of the shores, and both agree that many visitors to Nova Scotia appreciate the opportunity to get off the beaten path. They explain that the tourists they meet are eager to make new discoveries at their own pace and also want to meet locals who are so interesting, friendly, genuine and talented.

“There is something to be said for a change in pace, picturesque vistas, rugged shorelines and the serenity and tranquility of our shores,” says Wenaus. “It is easy for us to take sandy beaches and wide open spaces for granted but for many, it is chance to nourish the soul,” adds Surrett.

The videos were produced by Proptonics, a Nova Scotia video production company that is dedicated to servicing corporate, commercial and small businesses.