Safesidewalks Canada will have repair technicians on site during the weeks of August 5th and August 11th to complete concrete sidewalk repairs throughout the Town.

Safesidewalks Canada uses high speed concrete saws connected to a dust suppression and vacuum system in their work. There will be intermittently loud sounds coming from their equipment and we encourage residents to keep their windows closed while their crews are on site.

The technicians will be wearing high visibility vests, and they will also block off their work site with traffic cones and barricades when actively working. Please ensure you maintain a safe distance from them at all times for your safety.

2025 Target Areas

The technicians will refer to the 2024 Sidewalk Condition Assessment report which lists all defects.  

The primary target will be the main downtown core street(s), with secondary targets being other high pedestrian count sidewalk segments near churches, senior centers, medical facilities, schools, parks, athletic facilities, post offices, etc.

Below is the extract from the 2024 Sidewalk Condition Assessment, where the RED pin indicates a 'found' vertical displacement tripping hazard.

Because of hot, dry conditions, there is a ban on open fires effective immediately across the entire province.

The ban was put in place today, July 30, and will remain in place until October 15 – the end of wildfire season – or until conditions improve. The fine for violating the ban is $25,000.

“We’ve had a lot of hot, dry weather, very little rain and there’s no significant rain in the forecast in the near future,” said Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources. “We’ve had a lot of small, manageable fires this month and conditions are now ripe for any small fire to grow larger. Nobody wants a repeat of the devastation we experienced in 2023. I ask all Nova Scotians to co-operate, respect the burn ban and save their campfires and other open fires for a safer time.”

The ban applies to open fires such as campfires, bonfires, brush fires, fires in chimeneas and any other fire that is not enclosed and uses wood as the fuel. Unlike gas or charcoal fires, sparks could escape from an open wood fire and cause a wildfire.

Non-woodburning devices like charcoal and gas barbeques and gas stoves are allowed to be used, following manufacturer’s instructions.

Quick Facts:

• the ban was put in place through a proclamation under the Forests Act
• the Province’s BurnSafe map, which lets people know where and when burning is permitted, will remain red while the proclamation is in effect, meaning open fires are not allowed
• the proclamation overrides any permits that have been issued for industrial burning
• the ban applies to all private property and provincial lands, including parks and protected areas; the Province does not have jurisdiction over federal land
• people are not banned from entering the woods at this time, but that is another possible tool to help reduce the risk of wildfires, if needed

Bollards are being installed along Main Street in Wolfville to improve safety for people who ride bicycles as part of our active transportation network expansion. 

The green, flexible, fibreglass posts help both motorists and people who ride bicycles to share the road by defining designated lanes.

The bollards are seasonal and will be removed before snowplows are clearing snow and ice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why did the Town install bollards?

A. The Town installed bollards to better define bike lanes on Main Street. When we define the bike lanes it helps everyone share the road and it helps vehicles stay a safe distance from people who ride bikes.

The vehicle travel lanes are at a safe width and all vehicles that regularly travel this corridor will be able to pass each other.

Q. Why do bike lanes need these added safety features?

A. Persons on bikes or other mobility devices are more vulnerable than cars when they are on shared roadways. The more we can improve safety for these users, the more these users will feel comfortable using our roads. When people choose bikes over cars it reduces traffic congestion, keeps parking available and it’s great for the environment and the health of the individuals.

Q. What if I hit a bollard with my vehicle?

A. The bollards are flexible fibreglass – not metal. They are meant to be pushed around. They will not damage a vehicle going the speed limit on Main Street. If you have hit one and have concerns - contact us.

Q. What happens when there are emergency vehicles coming?

A. Pull over when it is safe to do so. There is space between the bollards (20m or 66 feet) and you will be able to navigate safely as you drop your speed. The bollards are only 0.3 cm x 10cm making them very easy to avoid.

Q. What about garbage collection?

A. Our waste collection contractors do not drive into the bike lanes to do their collection.

Q. The bollards will slow traffic on Main Street!

A. It is normal for motorists to drop their speed when the lanes are better defined or when lanes appear narrow. The Town has been hearing community complaints about excessive speeds for some time so slowing down is not a problem.

Q. How do I avoid potholes without being able to swerve into the cycle lane?

A. Safety protocol is to slow down to negotiate potholes, not to swerve into the bike lanes or oncoming traffic.

Q. What happens in the winter, will they be removed and will ice form in the holes left behind?

A. Bollards and plates will be removed, and a rubber grommet will be recessed into each of the holes to ensure no build up of ice and a level surface.

Where can I find out more?

https://wolfvilleblooms.ca/atnetwork

Reservoir Park is getting a new, accessible washroom and change station. Construction is set to begin on Monday, July 28.

The new structure will feature two washrooms and three change rooms, a covered seating area and a foot wash station. The new building will include important accessibility features and will increase the comfort for all those who spend time in Reservoir Park.

Construction will happen over the next six weeks and Park users are asked to follow safety notices that will be posted on location. The construction team will do their best to limit impacts to Park users.

The new structure will be approximately 27 ft by 36 ft, with a ~500 square foot covered area for seating, picnic tables and shade. The location of this facility is just above the beach in a small, wooded section of the park currently occupied by portable toilets and a waste station.

The facility will meet or exceed the National Building Code accessibility standards and staff are aiming to achieve compliance with the CSA accessibility standards where possible. The washrooms will be available year-round and changing rooms will be open seasonally.

Exterior wash off taps and information bulletin boards are also incorporated into the design. The structure will have a timber framed roof system, and wooden board and batten siding with commercial grade and durable fixtures/materials inside.