Cleanup improves Fort Edward’s view of Avon River
Taking a walk along the trail that surrounds Fort Edward National Historic Site in Windsor looks a little different these days.
Earlier this year, Parks Canada employees cleared away overgrown brush on portions of the hill as well as former green spaces surrounding the property, offering visitors a better view of the Avon River.
It's an improvement that has been called for by history buffs and the general public.
In an interview, West
Hants Mayor Abraham Zebian said the topic of view planes was discussed at a meeting with Parks Canada staff in the fall.
“Sightlines were brought up with them and they told us they were going to be clearing all that brush,” said Zebian.
“It looks great and it allows you to actually see … the historic view planes out into the Avon River. It's what traditionally was there. It brings that back."
Fort Edward National Historic Site has been in the spotlight for the last year due to West Hants council looking to sell and rezone municipally-owned land that's adjacent to the fort.
During the pandemic, West Hants Regional Municipality deemed Windsor's former Centennial Swimming Pool, which had been demolished in 2019, and the adjacent parking lot as surplus properties.
The lots of land — located at 36 and 65 Fort Edward
St. — are adjacent to Fort Edward National Historic Site.
A developer is interested in constructing an apartment complex at the site. However, there has been push back from the community, as well as special interest groups — like the West Hants Historical Society and Fédération acadienne de la NouvelleÉcosse.
They want to see the land preserved and potentially developed into a tourist interpretative centre with washroom facilities, an oldfashioned trading post, or a picnic area with signage.
The nationally-designated site is connected to multiple military-related historical events — dating back to the 1700s. The oldest, continuously-run agricultural fair in North America started on the fort’s grounds. The wooden blockhouse, which still stands today, was built on top of a razed Acadian church, and the fort played a role in the Acadian expulsion, imprisoning and deporting upwards of 1,000 people.
One of the issues cited with the potential sale and construction is the impact it will have on the view from
Fort Edward.
As the site was a military encampment, it was built due to its prime vantage point, allowing troops to see enemies approaching by land and sea.
The site offers visitors a panoramic view of the Avon River towards the Minas Basin, the highway heading towards St. Croix, as well as Lake Pisiquid and the upper reaches of the Avon River into Falmouth.
In March, councillors recommended they take a trip to the fort to see the view for themselves.
Mark Phillips, West Hants’ chief administrative officer, recently told council that the municipal community development department will support
maintenance of the site, keeping the newly cleared areas free of regrowth to promote increased recreational opportunities.
In a report to council, Phillips noted, “The site holds great potential for not only recreational activities but for special events and added historic promotions.”
Zebian said staff are currently investigating how the municipality can better use and promote the space.
“Parks Canada is very open to working with us on promoting it to our local residents and we just want it to be somewhere where our families can go and enjoy and just appreciate the space,” Zebian said.