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Clayton Park is a
community A community is a social unit (a group of living things) with commonality such as place, norms, religion, values, customs, or identity. Communities may share a sense of place situated in a given geographical area (e.g. a country, village, tow ...
within Halifax,
Nova Scotia Nova Scotia ( ; ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is one of the three Maritime provinces and one of the four Atlantic provinces. Nova Scotia is Latin for "New Scotland". Most of the population are native Eng ...
, Canada.


History

The community of Clayton Park is named after a family that owned property in the area extending up the southern slope of Geizer's Hill. On 12 July 1962, the Clayton Park development began when it received approval from the Municipality of the County of Halifax. Clayton Park was created as an
upper middle class In sociology, the upper middle class is the social group constituted by higher status members of the middle class. This is in contrast to the term ''lower middle class'', which is used for the group at the opposite end of the middle-class strat ...
community and its prime developer was the Shaw company, which placed certain architectural requirements for houses and apartments, among which was a high percentage of brick; Shaw being the largest brick manufacturer in Atlantic Canada. Primary house colours consisted of earthy tones of browns, greens, greys, and adobe reds which were popular for the mid-century post and beam house styles of the 1950s. Canadian architects Peter Dickinson, Henry Fliess, James A. Murray and Venchiarutti & Venchiarutti can be attributed to many of the Modern house designs. In 1969, Armdale, Clayton Park, Fairview, Rockingham, and Spryfield were all amalgamated into the City of Halifax. In 1975, part of the development was altered slightly to the south side of Geizer's Hill. As regional water and sewer services extended post-1969, commercial and residential development followed until the main phase was completed by the late 1970s and early 1980s. Clayton Park West was created adjacent to Clayton Park after decades of growth. With the extensions to
Highway 102 Route 102 or Highway 102 can refer to multiple roads: China * China National Highway 102 Canada * New Brunswick Route 102 * Newfoundland and Labrador Route 102 * Nova Scotia Highway 102 * Ontario Highway 102 * Prince Edward Island Rou ...
of both Dunbrack Street/ Northwest Arm Drive in the 1980s, and Lacewood Drive in the 1990s--the Shaw company created the new community; envisioned to comprise a mixture of upscale apartments, condominiums, single-family--and--multi-family residences with complementary retail developments. The development was planned to fill in over a 20-year period, however a change to the Bayer's Lake Industrial Park (BLIP) from light-industrial to businesses mostly consisting of warehouse-style retailers (it was renamed to Bayer's Lake Business Park), saw Clayton Park West expand with the highest rate of urban growth in Nova Scotia's history. The area was filled within four years and now extends Rockingham from the
Bedford Basin Bedford Basin is a large enclosed bay, forming the northwestern end of Halifax Harbour on Canada's Atlantic coast. It is named in honour of John Russell, 4th Duke of Bedford. Geography Geographically, the basin is situated entirely within th ...
to
Highway 102 Route 102 or Highway 102 can refer to multiple roads: China * China National Highway 102 Canada * New Brunswick Route 102 * Newfoundland and Labrador Route 102 * Nova Scotia Highway 102 * Ontario Highway 102 * Prince Edward Island Rou ...
. On 1 April 1996, Halifax County was dissolved and all of its places (cities, suburbs, towns, and villages) were turned into communities of a single-tier municipality named ''Halifax Regional Municipality''. Subsequently, Clayton Park and Clayton Park West were both turned into communities within the new Municipality of Halifax.


Geography

The community of Clayton Park covers approximately of land. Bordered by Fairview to its south and Rockingham to its north--north-east, it is located within the urban area (''population centre'') of Halifax. Adjacent to the community of Clayton Park is the community of Clayton Park West. Clayton Park West is approximately , according to the 2013 Urban Forest Master Plan (based on 2011 Census Data).


Demographics

Clayton Park corresponds to Census Tract 2050025.01 and has a population of 5,201 as of 2021. From 2016 to 2021, the community grew by over 10% from 4,726 people in 2016 to 5,201 people in 2021. One of the densest urban communities in Halifax, the population density increased from 45 people per hectare in 2016, to 49 people per hectare in 2021. Although a well-established community, Clayton Park West has no approximate population estimates.


Parks, trails, and recreation

The Clayton Park area is home to an extensive network of parks, walking trails, and recreation facilities. ;Belchers Marsh Park Belchers Marsh Park consists of the large Belchers Marsh on the east side of Parkland Drive and the smaller Little Belchers Pond on the west side of Parkland Drive. A network of walking trails serves both the pond and marsh areas and connects the two areas together via a riverside trail which crosses Farnham Gate Road and Parkland Drive. The Belchers Marsh Park trail network consists of segments through forested areas, open areas along the shores of the marsh and in some sections follows the riverside, providing a variety of environments to enjoy. Benches are located around the Belchers Marsh segment of the trails, along with a lookoff platform for viewing the surrounding area. Connector pathways are provided to the surrounding residential streets with trailheads available at various locations along Parkland Drive (between Langbrae Drive and Heathside Crescent), as well as from Farnham Gate Road, Langbrae Drive, Red Fern Terrace and Tayberry Court. Wildlife is common in the area with deer frequently seen attempting to navigate across the very busy Parkland Drive. Ducks also come and go from Belchers Marsh at various times of the year. Small fish can easily be seen in the water along the shores of the marsh. ;Mainland North Linear Parkway A large segment of the Mainland North Linear Parkway, a wooded footpath, also runs through the Clayton Park West area. The parkway begins at the intersection of Parkland Drive and Kearney Lake Road and follows the wide sidewalk along the east side of Parkland Drive for approximately 500m before branching off into a proper trail near Castlepark Grove. The trail then continues in a straight line for approximately 4 km before terminating at Main Avenue in the community of Fairview. The Clayton Park West segment of the Mainland North Linear Parkway trail provides numerous connections along its route. The trail passes the Glenbourne Sports Field (located along the north end of Parkland Drive), the Park West School property (located on Langbrae Drive) and the Mainland Common (located on Lacewood Drive). The parkway uses marked crosswalks to cross several major roads including Farnham Gate Road, Langbrae Drive, Radcliffe Drive, and Lacewood Drive. Connector pathways and trails are provided to various nearby streets, including (from North to South) Gorsebud Close, Edward Laurie Drive/Beechwood Terrace, Heathside Crescent, Moss Court, Remmington Court, Scotch Pine Terrace, Montgomery Court, Glenbourne Court, Parkmount Close, Turnmill Drive, Thackery Close, Brackley Place, Stockleigh Place, Essex Lane, Warwick Lane, and Barkton Lane. ;Glenbourne Sports Field The Glenbourne Sports Field is located along the northern section of Parkland Drive, with the entrance located just north of Heathside Crescent. This park provides a soccer field, baseball diamond, basketball court, children's playground, and is one of the many access points to the Mainland North Linear Parkway trail. Parking is available in the parking lot and along Parkland Drive. ;Veterans Memorial Park Veterans Memorial Park is a small open-air corner park located at the corner of Parkland Drive and Langbrae Drive. A bench and gazebo are provided and the park is used as a gathering place for various community events. ;Langbrae-Turnmill Park Langbrae-Turnmill Park is located near the intersection of Langbrae Drive and Turnmill Drive and an entrance to the park is provided from each street. A small playground and some short wooded trails are provided here, as well as a connection to the Mainland North Linear Parkway trail. ;Stratford Way Park Stratford Way Park is located on Stratford Way. This is an open-air park with large open space, a playground, basketball court, gazebo, and community art project. ;Sheffield In The Park This is a small sports field and grassy area located off Dunbrack Street between Lincoln Cross and Knightsridge Drive. Access is provided via Meadowlark Crescent. ;Armstrong Court Park Armstrong Court Park is a small neighbourhood park located on Armstrong Court (accessible from Kearney Lake Road via Castlehill Drive). The park provides a playground and benches in a small wooded area. Tennis courts are also available. ;D.J. Butler Park This open-air park is located on Flamingo Drive and provides a large open grassy area, playground, tennis court and basketball court. ;Willett Street Park Willett Street Park is a small wooded park located on Willett Street across from Harlington Crescent. A short trail connects Willett Street to the Mainland North Linear Parkway and the Mainland Common. This park was selected as one of the potential locations for a new
Halifax Transit Halifax Transit is a Canadian public transport service operating buses and ferries in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Founded as Metro Transit in March 1981, the agency runs two ferry routes, 66 conventional bus routes (including corridor, local, and expre ...
bus terminal, in which case it would likely be demolished. ;Northcliffe Centre The Northcliffe Centre was formerly a regional recreation facility located on Dunbrack Street at Clayton Park Drive. The facility offered a pool, tennis courts, basketball courts and other amenities. It served the area for many decades before being replaced by the Canada Games Centre on Lacewood Drive. It has since closed and is scheduled to be demolished. The Northcliffe Centre property was one of several sites identified as a possible location for a new Halifax Transit bus terminal. ;Mainland Common The Mainland Common is a large regional recreation area consisting of parkland, trails, and various municipal facilities. The large Canada Games Centre is located here, as is the Keshen Goodman Public Library, and
Halifax West High School Halifax West High School is a Canadian public high school located in the Clayton Park neighbourhood in the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia. Encompassing grades 10 through 12, Halifax West High School offers a variety of courses in b ...
. The Mainland Common also provides indoor and outdoor all-weather sports fields, and baseball diamonds. Access to facilities is provided via Thomas Raddal Drive which is accessible from either Lacewood Drive, or Regency Park Drive. ;Canada Games Centre The
Canada Games Centre The Canada Games Centre was built for the 2011 Canada Winter Games in Clayton Park, a suburb of Halifax, Nova Scotia. It was the venue for the artistic gymnastics, badminton, and synchronized swimming competitions. It is now used as a fitness ...
is a large facility that was constructed in conjunction with the 2011 Canada Winter Games, which Halifax hosted in February 2011. Major components of the centre include an Aquatics Centre with several types of pools, waterslides, sauna, and a hot tub. Swimming lessons and aquatic exercise classes are available. The Recreation Centre provides a field house with hardwood court space and an elevated indoor six-lane running track. Other programs are provided, such as after school childcare, child minding, playschool, day and summer camp programs, and various educational programs. The Fitness Centre component offers 11,500 sq. feet of naturally lit workout space. 75 pieces of cardio equipment are provided, as well as pin-select and free-weights, a spin bike studio with 25 bikes, and a yoga studio. Programs offered include group exercise classes, fitness & nutrition programs, and personal training sessions.


Transportation


Halifax Transit Halifax Transit is a Canadian public transport service operating buses and ferries in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Founded as Metro Transit in March 1981, the agency runs two ferry routes, 66 conventional bus routes (including corridor, local, and expre ...
routes

Public transportation Public transport (also known as public transportation, public transit, mass transit, or simply transit) is a system of transport for passengers by group travel systems available for use by the general public unlike private transport, typical ...
is provided by
Halifax Transit Halifax Transit is a Canadian public transport service operating buses and ferries in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Founded as Metro Transit in March 1981, the agency runs two ferry routes, 66 conventional bus routes (including corridor, local, and expre ...
. Lacewood Terminal, located on 320 Lacewood Drive, provides the user with exurban, suburban, and urban destinations throughout the
municipality A municipality is usually a single administrative division having corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate. The term ''municipality'' may also mean the go ...
. ''Wheelchair – Uses Accessible Low Floor (ALF) buses only.
''Rush Hour Service Only''
''Designated Bike Route''
''MetroLink Service''
''MetroX Service''


In popular culture

Alternative rock band
Thrush Hermit Thrush Hermit was a Canadian alternative rock band active in the 1990s, known for their "highly energetic, humorous, and unpredictable performances," as quoted by Vice News. History Thrush Hermit was formed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1992 by Jo ...
's fifth and final album is '' Clayton Park''. Nova Scotian rock group
Joel Plaskett Emergency William Joel MacDonald Plaskett (born April 18, 1975) is a Canadian rock musician and songwriter based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He was a member of Halifax alternative rock band Thrush Hermit in the 1990s. Plaskett performs in a number of genres ...
reference Clayton Park at 0:41 in their song "Drunk Teenagers".


Gallery

Image:Clayton Park2 2007.jpg, Entering Clayton park from Bayers Lake. Image:Clayton Park3 2007.jpg, Consulate of Lebanon, Clayton Park West Image:Clayton Park4 2007.jpg, Busy intersection, Clayton park West. Image:Clayton Park5 2007.jpg, Retail and residential mix, Clayton Park.


References


External links


Satellite view of Clayton Park from Google Maps


{{Communities of Mainland Halifax Communities in Halifax, Nova Scotia