I am remembering my experience last year in the PG, and just want to remind Haligonians of a few rules and courtesies to make the PG a downtown treasure for all for years to come. The PG is a botanical garden protecting and showcasing beautiful and rare plants. It is not a jogging track. It is not a bike path (bicycles are banned): a large number of users are slow-moving with mobility issues and use wheelchairs, walkers, scooters and canes. The PG is not a dog park. It is not a smoker’s nook. The PG is not a playground, so PLEASE do not let your kids trample rounded flowerbeds meticulously laid out and cared for by hard-working HRM employees. To show your appreciation, keep off the grass and stick to the gravel paths as much as possible. You can’t put a price on such a gem of downtown core greenspace. It is my summer urban haven—I know of no other like it. —Backyard-less Condo Dweller
This article appears in Jun 4-10, 2015.
Buy a house with a backyard where you can plant your garden?
Hear! Hear!
What a waste of money and space in this city. We need parks, not snooty gardens.
So I guess I don’t understand what PUBLIC means.
Stay off the grass? Not sure that’s necessary.
I agree with the OB.
The Public Gardens is a designated area of walking paths with decorative flower beds and exotic tree species surrounded by manicured lawn. Many people get a lot of pleasure from walking through there on the way to or from work, during their lunch break, on weekends, and so on. If they let people inhabit the off-path areas with picnic blankets or if people let their spawn run free it would soon be a mess of dead grass and torn up flower beds.
On the other hand, there is a decent sized play area on the west side of the gardens where people can picnic, toss a frisbee, play chess on the chess tables, lay on the grass, let their progeny run free, etc. There is ample signage and it’s really not that complicated a concept to have designated areas so I’m not sure why people are so insistent on being an “exception” to the rules.
There are lots of other parks for walking dogs, cycling and jogging (ever heard of Point Pleasant?) so this little patch of green can continue to be used for what it was intended – a small walking space and green oasis in the middle of the city – nothing more, nothing less.
I agree with Drake. Turn that place into an off-leash dog park, solves the whole Africville-vs-dog owners thing.
SLUM WINE FESTIVAL in the GARDENS!
MM and I will stand at the gates and mock you as you go in; but it’s an all-the-slum-wine-you-can-drink! Huh? Huh?!
totalitarian gardens.
SLUM WINE FESTIVAL
An all-the-slum-wine-you-can-drink? Better hold it next to the pool!
A pleasure as always,
Cheer!
“Turn that place into an off-leash dog park”
… while we’re at it let’s go full slum dog and turn the pond into a swimmin’ hole …….and maybe we can stock it with trout and have a fitchin’ derby! And we can open a parking lot on the Wanderer’s grounds … just so folks will have a place to park their “souped up”, circa 1996 CRXs while they menace people with their PitBulls in the former splendour of the Gardens.
Harper,
Sorry for your loss. I’ll assume that you were/are a conscientious owner and kept you dog well behaved and under control.
Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. I’m still having nightmares about a not too long ago confrontation. It was a large dog (Pit Bull or Bull Mastif mix?) that clearly wanted to rip me to shreds. I realize the dog was just “protecting” it’s owner but the owner was careless and let it got away from him. The most galling part is that the owner seemed to think it was no big deal to terrify someone with his dog. So, yes, I am stereotyping … but moreso the type of irresponsible owner and their penchant for large dogs that intimidate people.
Don’t take it personally.
HarperD – there is a group of former regulars whose names and love of creatures are well known to you who wish to send you,and your family condolences, on the loss of your dog. As the lovely Lady of Bread would say, we have all trodden that road and will, no doubt, do so again. So sorry for your loss.
What a waste of downtown space.
Halifax.. you know you can’t have nice things.
Why do you even try?
There is a park right across the street on Spring Garden if anyone wants to play on the grass.
Thank you for your thoughts, former regulars. I know with your love of animals, your sentiments are genuine and are much appreciated.
Steve: Sorry for your lose.