This is a Petition to the HRM Mayor and Council to engage the citizens of our historic city along with the significant and highly respected Halifax military NAVY, ARMY, AIR FORCE, and large defence industry, communities to SAVE the Point Pleasant Park FORTS.

The Point Pleasant Battery, as part of the Point Pleasant Park defence system and the larger Halifax Defence Complex, dating to 1762, has protected Halifax and its vital naval port during numerous conflicts through to the Second World War, including the pivotal Battle of the Atlantic (1939 - 1945) fought off our shores.

The Battery represents a significant part of Nova Scotia’s and Canada’s national history and Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) needs to preserve this military history, particularly physical structures, as other Canadian cities have done so well.  But the Battery’s future is in serious doubt after decades of neglect.  View this recent CBC video explaining the Battery.

Due to the Battery’s deteriorating status it may be leveled or entombed based on the recent actions of HRM and its Point Pleasant Park Advisory Committee. HRM has just issued a Request for Proposal regarding Point Pleasant Park shoreline improvements (due to climate change, coastal erosion), closing April 19/23, which could likely result in the removal of the Battery.

There has been little to no substantive public consultation regarding preserving nor repairing the Battery, nor the RFP, other than comments by Councillor Waye Mason (whose District 7 includes Point Pleasant Park) that due to the Battery’s current state, it presents public safety concerns involving public access.

The purpose of this Petition is to request citizen support to send a clear message to the HRM and its Advisory Committee to recognize the historical significance and preserve Point Pleasant Battery and the other fortifications in Point Pleasant Park.

As active supporters of Point Pleasant Park’s history, members of the Halifax Military Heritage Preservation Society, feel that downgrading or destroying our history is disrespectful.  We request citizen support to inform HRM and the Advisory Committee that you want the Point Pleasant Battery historic site protected by:

1. Reviewing the terms of reference before awarding HRM RFP #23-015 to ensure open and meaningful consultation with the community at large, and desist from considering the removal of the Point Pleasant Battery as the primary course of action,

2. Consulting with HMHPS and other military historians of the period regarding the Battery’s historic significance and potential in an open and transparent manner,

3. Opening future Point Pleasant Park Advisory Committee’s meetings to citizens for in-person and/or two-way online engagement, and more actively promote the history/heritage, educational and tourism potential of the Park’s various defence sites.

For further Point Pleasant Park historical background view the HMHPS web site.  The general HRM contact email is clerks@halifax.ca.