(image provided by Parks Canada)

It will be the province’s first National Urban Park.

Parks Canada says Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes (outside of Halifax) is about to advance to the planning phase of the process, after achieving three key milestones through the National Urban Parks Program.

The agency also announced $2.1 million to help it move forward and further nail down key components including park boundaries, detailed planning for trails, public access, trails and infrastructure needs.

“Every Canadian deserves access to green and protected areas close to home. The Government of Canada is committed to expanding natural and conserved areas in several major urban centres in Canada, including Halifax. We want more Canadians to be able to connect with nature and to foster a deeper appreciation for the natural environment. Congratulations to everyone involved in moving the Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes area one step closer toward national urban park designation. These truly are remarkable times for conservation in Canada for those living in urban centres,” said The Honourable Steven Guilbeault
Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada!

This is one initiative that is part of recovering species at risk and helping reduce the impacts of climate change.

Ottawa is committed to conserving 25 percent of lands and waters in Canada by 2025 and 30 percent by 2030.

📢 Today #ParksCanada announced several milestones toward the candidate national urban park in Halifax, NS, including the completion of its pre-feasibility report. See details here ➡ https://t.co/qrbetnkU8K@ParksCanada_NS pic.twitter.com/ipJuoFIaWM

— Parks Canada (@ParksCanada) May 23, 2023