The Hammonds Plains Hub - By Christina Parker
Being a great believer in communication, I have seized the opportunity to share information with my community through writing a monthly column in our popular Bedford-Sackville Weekly News.
Luckily for me, but perhaps unluckily for those in government, working part time as a dog walker and pet sitter has allowed me time to pursue some of my interests and passions involving my community, Hammonds Plains.
I moved to Highland Park in 1999 as a newlywed. The only patter of tiny feet in my world has come in the form of padded paws. Other than community interests, which have been all encompassing recently, my hobbies include animal welfare, history and languages. Born in Montreal, I came to Halifax via England and Ontario.
After having lived in downtown cores most of my life, by moving to Hammonds Plains I felt as though I had moved into what was akin to bucolic bliss. After a few years, the rural atmosphere disintegrated before my eyes and ears, as increasing development has brought more vehicles, more noise and less safety in our community. Development has its place, but change usually begets change. Over the last few years it has become increasingly apparent that infrastructure has not kept up with the changes brought by expansion. Over the past few months I have met so many wonderful personalities in my community. In talking to them and sharing ideas, discussions arose regarding the need for a business association, a historical society and to preserve older buildings in our community. Fast forward only a few months and we now have the Hammonds Plains Business Association and the Hammonds Plains Historical Society in existence, about which I will be waxing lyrical in the future.
After spreading the word, several residents from our community bombarded the unsuspecting North West Community Council with some of our concerns. A rather jocular Bob Harvey noted that the following meeting would be “at an undisclosed location” given this sudden barrage from Hammonds Plains! Since then, the usual suspects have been appearing regularly at the council.
I hope will you enjoy my future columns and learn something about what’s going on around you. As we have recently seen, making a concerted community effort can bring some improvements. I look forward to sharing information with you all about transit, infrastructure, exciting major events, new committees and groups and being able to report some positive news regarding Hammonds Plains.
@Tagline:<f"MyriadPro-Cond">Christina Parker is a resident and active member of the Hammonds Plains community. Her column runs once a month.
