WOLFVILLE, N.S. — Kings County views offer the pleasure of waking up to see the sun shining over an incoming tide, surrounded by Nova Scotia’s diverse flora, and the comfort of falling asleep under a black sky littered with stars.
And still, that picture is about to get even prettier.
Four new beautification projects have been set in place to enhance the local scenery and make it more accessible.
Kings South MLA Keith Irving made the announcement June 7.
He was joined by Town of Kentville official Eric Bolland, Village of New Minas representative Mary Munroe, and Wolfville’s deputy mayor, Jodi MacKay, at the site of the largest project - the access point for the Harvest Moon Trail off of Main Street in Wolfville.
Along with trail upgrades, access will be made easier to the park housing the Mona Parsons statue in Wolfville, Kentville will be adding a public gardens off of Main Street, and New Minas will be livening up the commercial strip with banners, benches, and waste receptacles.
The Harvest Moon Trail Project in Wolfville has been given $20,000 in funding for the addition of an interpretive panel, maps, seating areas, and a viewing area. As well, the path leading up to the trail from Main Street will allow for easier access.
“The enhancement and beautifying of our communities is a big part of making those communities vibrant ones, and will increase our tourism. The work that is done on a local and municipal level is key in driving these developments,” said Irving.
Funding was received through the Department of Municipal Affairs’ beautification program, which distributes $500,000 annually across the province to cover up to 50 per cent of renovation costs per project, said Irving.
The Mona Parsons Statue Park will receive $18,500 in funding, and the projects in New Minas and Kentville are getting just over $10,000.
“These projects are incremental in nature, just taking it one small project at a time. While one project in one community may not do much, ten projects over ten years makes a huge difference in terms of creating beautiful towns for our citizens and tourists,” said Irving.
Projects will begin this month, with completion slated for late 2019 or sometime in 2020.
