Victoria Park
Truro, NS
Public Space
A true gem in the heart of Truro! Victoria Park is one of Truro's greatest assets – a natural woodland park of roughly 400 acres in the centre of town. Lepper Brook, with its two sets of waterfalls, flows through a steep tree covered rocky gorge. Several walking trails follow along the brook, allowing a close view of this unique setting. The first set of falls is named after the distinguished Joseph Howe who admired them during a visit in 1830. The next are the Waddell Falls, named after Susan Waddell Stevens, who donated the first land in 1888 containing the falls and gorge, thus beginning this park for the enjoyment of Truro citizens.
Sir Adams G. Archibald, a Father of Confederation and a former Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, was the first chairman of the Victoria Park Committee. James Ross, a local barrister at the turn of the 20th century, is recognized with a monument for his many devoted years of enlarging and improving the park.
Victoria Park can be a birdwatcher's paradise. The park has an extensive trail system for visitors to use and enjoy. All trails are designated as multiple-use. Cyclists are urged to use caution when using park trails and to yield to pedestrians as required. Cyclists are also reminded to stay on defined hard-surface trails to prevent damage to environmentally sensitive areas of the park. Victoria Park offers ample parking for all. Parking is available in the main parking lot off Park Road and near the swimming pool off Adam Street. There is also limited parking at the Wood Street entrance to the park.
The bandshell, picnic pavilion, and other park facilities can be reserved free of charge for special events such as weddings, concerts, and family gatherings. The picnic pavilion is located in the Lower Park and is well-used for a number of different activities, ranging from family or school reunions, birthday parties, food preparation for special events, or as a registration area for events taking place in the park. Reservations are required and are done on a first come, first served basis. The Holy Well Gazebo is used for a variety of functions, including weddings and wedding photos. The J. Arch Fraser Bandshell is also used for a variety of activities. There are tennis courts, an outdoor swimming pool, a little league ball field, and the Kinsmen Club Playground with water spray park.
The playground and washroom facility were built in 1994, with the Truro Kinsmen Club committing to one-third of the estimated capital cost. This was followed in 1998 with the construction of the very popular water spray park. Once again, this capital initiative was a joint project between the Truro Kinsmen Club and the Truro Parks, Recreation and Culture Department. The final phase of the revitalization took place in 2000 when two major playground structures were purchased and installed.
The Bible Hill Kinsmen Club paid half of the cost to purchased a one-wheeled vehicle that looks like a cross between a wheelbarrow and a rickshaw to allow people with mobility challenges to explore Victoria Park, It has a large inflatable tire and two handles each front and back, so that it can be pushed and pulled by friends or family. Anyone interested in borrowing the Trailrider can contact the Park for more information.
Victoria Park is a place for family to come celebrate together with community. To explore a quiet place in nature and feel a connection to the past, present, and future.
