Sullivan's Pond facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sullivan's Pond |
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 Sullivan's Pond
Location in Nova Scotia
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| Location | Dartmouth, Nova Scotia |
| Coordinates | 44°40′23″N 63°33′47″W / 44.67306°N 63.56306°W |
| Type | artificial lake |
| Primary inflows | Shubenacadie Canal |
| Primary outflows | Shubenacadie Canal |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Surface area | 2 ha (4.9 acres) |
| Surface elevation | 16 m (52 ft) |
| Islands | 1 |
Sullivan's Pond is a beautiful artificial lake and a popular recreation spot. You can find it in Dartmouth, which is part of the Halifax Regional Municipality in Canada. This pond was once a key part of the historic Shubenacadie Canal system.
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Exploring Sullivan's Pond and Its History
Sullivan's Pond has a fascinating past, especially its connection to an old canal. It's a great place to visit today, offering fun activities and a peaceful environment.
How Sullivan's Pond Helped the Shubenacadie Canal
Sullivan's Pond is located about half a kilometer (0.3 miles) northeast of Halifax Harbour. It was the very first body of water in the Shubenacadie Canal system if you were traveling from the harbour towards the Bay of Fundy.
The pond was built to hold boats that were heading towards the harbour. The harbour was much lower than the pond. To move boats between the pond and the ocean, a special inclined marine railway was used. This railway would pull boats up or down the hill. From the pond, a lock would lift boats into Lake Banook, which was further north.
The Pond's Journey: From Canal to Community Hub
After the Shubenacadie Canal stopped being used in the 1860s, Sullivan's Pond became less important. Homes started to be built around it. The area near Dartmouth Cove, south of the pond, became more industrial. Factories and shipyards appeared.
Even though the pond was uphill and mostly safe from this pollution, it was neglected for many years.
Sullivan's Pond Today: A Revitalized Park
In the 20th century, the City of Dartmouth, often called "The City of Lakes," decided to clean up and restore its many lakes. Sullivan's Pond became part of a lovely park. This park stretches along the southern shores of Lake Banook. It provides a home for many different kinds of water fowl, like ducks and geese.
Since the 1950s, more and more homes were built around Lake Banook and Sullivan's Pond. To make sure everyone could still enjoy the water, the city started buying properties near the lake when they became available. This careful planning led to the beautiful park area we see today.
Features and Fun at the Pond
Today, Sullivan's Pond has a small island in the middle. On this island, you can see a totem pole. This totem pole was a special gift to Dartmouth from British Columbia. It was given when Dartmouth hosted the 1969 Canada Summer Games.
Near the pond, there's also an open-air concert pavilion. The Rotary Club of Dartmouth built this for the city. You can also find the cenotaph, a monument honoring soldiers, close by. In December 2006, a new fountain was added to the pond, making it even more beautiful. In 2018, city workers even planted a special palm tree that can handle cold weather in the park!
