Vision: ONE DARTMOUTH COVE Remediation Project

Imagine a healthy Dartmouth Cove, for everyone.

Image of downward pointing arrow
Aerial view of potential Dartmouth Cove infilling, featuring a shoreline park with trees and walkways, and residential neighborhoods with houses and buildings.

ONE DARTMOUTH COVE REHABILITATION CAN…

… Actually Save Dartmouth Cove Marine Ecosystem

… Make nearby housing projects more affordable

… Unite the Dartmouth Waterfront Trail

… Ensure Dartmouth Cove is for EVERYONE

… create space for future housing solutions

The Vision

ONE DARTMOUTH COVE is a community building Remediation Project planning to leverage the infill of a pre-confederation water lot in Dartmouth Cove to bring smart long-term value to our community.

By adding a strip of land along the shoreline we can Save Dartmouth Cove while establishing 4.5 acres of usable land available for private and public use. The total proposed infill will be aligned with neighbouring properties to maintain most of the Dartmouth Cove as a waterway for public use and enjoyment.

The project has the ability to create continuous access along the Dartmouth waterfront and increase much needed housing opportunities for the community. ONE DARTMOUTH COVE will work with HRM, the Province and other owners to explore alternative emergency access along the Dartmouth waterfront.

The project will maintain and improve access to the Dartmouth waterfront for neighbours and tourists with the installation of a recreational trail along the new shoreline for public use.

  • Saving Dartmouth Cove starts with sealing an area that boasts 6+ feet of toxic sludge.

  • ONE DARTMOUTH COVE will build and install an artificial reef system in the cove that will accelerate marine habitat rehabilitation, turning the tide on 100+ years of pollution.

  • With a healthier Dartmouth Cove, everyone can enjoy improved access to a united Dartmouth waterfront trail system and the Cove itself.

    Any future development on the Dartmouth Cove waterfront will always ensure public access to the water - just like on the Halifax side of the Harbour

THREE KEY STEPS Saving the Dartmouth Cove Marine Ecosystem

A yellow excavator working on infilling a rocky shoreline by a body of water with houses and trees in the background.

Cap 6-feet of toxic sludge and 100+ years of pollution

STEP 01

ONE DARTMOUTH COVE has worked for two years with DFO Scientists, marine biologists, environmental professionals and key regulatory bodies to find a long-term solution for saving Dartmouth Cove.

A dumping ground for sewage, industrial waste and who knows what else - step one is capping the 6+ feet of toxic sludge found in Dartmouth Cove with pyritic slate from nearby housing projects.

Infilling with nearby pyritic slate, unearthed during excavations, will reduce the cost to build housing in Dartmouth (reduced trucking costs) while also sealing in over 100 years of pollution so it can no longer kill off fish and other marine habitat.

Underwater image of a human made coral formation, with pink and brown coral, surrounded by small blue fish, on the ocean floor.

Build and install artificial reef to re-establish fish habitat

STEP 02

Once toxins leaching into the water are sealed, the rehabilitation can really get going.

Fish need a clean habitat, including ample vegetation, to prepare for their journey to spawning grounds up-river.

ONE COVE DARTMOUTH is investing in building and installing a proven artificial reef system that is already at work elsewhere in Halifax.

This reef will accelerate Dartmouth Cove rehabilitation by providing habitat for marine life.

Rockweed, a type Seaweed, covers rocks along a shoreline with water and forested land in the background under a cloudy sky.

Finish the entire coastline with a Rockweed Beach

STEP 03

Unlike most of the infill projects along Halifax Harbour, ONE DARTMOUTH COVE intends to complete a rockweed beach along the entire length of the newly formed intertidal area (the area that is covered at high tide and less covered at low tide).

Rockweed is a “foundation species,” meaning its presence in an ecosystem creates a complex and diverse array of long-term benefits.

Nutrients from Rockweed are key to revitalizing habitat, creating food, safety and a habitat that will continue to rehabilitate Dartmouth Cove for generations to come.

2024 Environmental Assessment

“The majority of the proposed infill area is poor quality habitat, showing evidence of historic sewer outfall impact…”

…with fine sediment characterized by a black colour, and anaerobic sulphur odour and chemical concentrations that exceed applicable environmental limits. The habitat is a largely featureless bottom of loose sand and silt substrate that is devoid of macroflora and macrofauna expect for a few crabs.”

4.5 Acres of Opportunity

Saving Dartmouth Cove creates a unique opportunity to bring new ideas, excitement and investment to Dartmouth Cove

While development planning is still in very early stages, ONE DARTMOUTH COVE is committed to engaging with the City, neighboring residents, businesses and the broader Dartmouth community. 

Up until now we have not created an end-use vision for the site because we truly wanted public consultation to guide the final development.  We now understand that without a vision to react to, the local community and public may misunderstand our intentions. To help alleviate some of those concerns we have produced a draft design that shows what the land could look like post-infilling, once it is developed.

Something for people to see, understand and suggest improvements.  This is an initial concept, and we remain committed to providing meaningful engagement opportunities.

The following are the main elements of the development space after infilling that could include: 

  • Many neighbours and current Dartmouth Harbourwalk Trail users have expressed interest in new and improved public facilities (playground, trail enhancements, public washrooms, performance and park spaces, etc.)

  • Connecting space for a vehicle and emergency access route to help realize HRM’s Dartmouth Waterfront Revitalization Plan

  • Creation of new public spaces to the new waterside, including the construction of a new waterside trail perhaps cantilevered over the water

  • Space for residential units on the downtown Dartmouth side of the site

  • Green space and other recreational amenities for the infilled portion between trail and adjacent to existing low-rise residential to minimize impact on neighbours.

Possible Site Uses

The renderings above are to show possible uses for the land only and not reflective of any specific building locations, scale, design or style. Those would be determined by working collaboratively through HRM’s planning processes to determine best and optimal uses for the new 4.5-acre site.

As the property owners, ONE DARTMOUTH COVE is committed to relocating the Dartmouth Harbourwalk Trail to along the new rockweed beach waterfront and are willing to consider a cantilevered design, if desirable, which would enhance the waterside experience for users. 

The above images are indicative only. We remain committed to an open dialogue with all interested parties to ensure the final uses create lasting and impactful public benefits for Dartmouth Cove and those who use it.

IT’S TIME TO ADD YOUR VOICE

speak up for the Cove

Politicians are being pushed to stop this project.

Stopping this shoreline infilling and remediation effort ensures we all live with the unacceptable status quo.

If you believe in our shovel-ready investment to save Dartmouth Cove - please speak up.