post

Point Pleasant Park

Found on the Halifax Peninsula, Point Pleasant Park features the Prince of Wales Tower and artillery batteries, along with forested areas and recreational facilities. This partially forested park covers an area of 75 hectares and offers plenty of opportunities for relaxation and recreation. Residents and visitors are also free to book the park for weddings, birthdays, and other special occasions.

General Information and History

Owned by the British Government, the park is administered by the Department of Canadian Heritage while the Halifax Regional Municipality holds the lease. The municipality pays 1 shilling for the lease, and the deal was finalized back in 1866 by Sir William Young, a Canadian jurist and politician.

The park’s origin and history can be traced back to the 17th century and the foundation of the St. Aspinquid’s Chapel. Many notable people were buried around the chapel, which is actually a stone amphitheater. It is also the silent witness of the battle of 1760 during the French and Indian War. Seven fortifications were built in the 18th century – the Cambridge Battery, Prince of Wales Tower, Fort Ogilvie, Northwest Arm Battery, Point Pleasant Battery, Chain Battery, and Chain Rock. The batteries were constructed from stone, earth, and logs and were equipped with furnaces and fireplaces. It was during the World War 1 when the Cambridge fortification was abandoned.

Fun, Outdoor, and Recreational Activities

Visitors are offered access to trails and outdoor activities with many wide paths and trails for a nice walk in the open. They enjoy the beautiful scenery of coastal ecosystems and views of the Atlantic and across the harbor. The park also features washrooms, off-leash dog walking areas, and a supervised beach. Attractions include the ruins of several fortifications and the Martello Tower, which was built in 1796 and is the oldest tower on the North American continent.

Today, the park is also the home to a host of military monuments, and one of the largest and most significant is the Sailor’s Memorial or Halifax Monument. The monument was created to commemorate soldiers of the Canadian Army, Merchant Navy, and Royal Canadian Navy who lost their lives at sea. This massive memorial features the names of more than 3,200 women and men who lost their lives during the First and Second World Wars.

Flora

Point Pleasant Park is the home to wildflowers, ferns, shrubs, and trees such as apple, white birch, red maple, and sugar maple. Tree species also include mountain ash, pin cherry, white pine, and red pine. Shrubs also abound and are represented by species such as mayflower, northern bush honeysuckle, and sweet-fern. The park is also the home to many wildflowers, including marsh blue violet, wild lily of the valley, club mosses, blueberry, etc. The great diversity of flower, shrub, and tree species makes the park a favorite place for families with children. Whether strolling through the forest or trails, picnicking, or having a relaxing walk with your kids, the park is a good place for a family outing. The trails and paths are well maintained, and there is a lot of parking available. You can go by car to meet friends and hang out together. The park is also a good place for quick walking and running. You can watch the ships, take your dog for a walk, or just enjoy the scenery. It is definitely a wonderful spot for nature lovers. Just pack a picnic lunch for you family and go look at the clams and shells in the water or get some fresh air and enjoy the scenic trails.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_Pleasant_Park

post

Debt Consolidation Solutions in Halifax, NS

There are different consolidation solutions in Halifax, Nova Scotia that help borrowers relieve their debt burden and make monthly payments more affordable and more manageable. If you have multiple balances or high-interest loans, you can check with the big banks, credit counselling agencies, and other providers in your area.

The Big Banks

Big Canadian Banks such as the CIBC, RBC, and others offer debt consolidation solutions such as balance transfer cards, home equity lines of credit, and personal loans. A personal loan is one option to look into if you want to make fixed payments. Many banks allow their customers to choose from different repayment schedules, including monthly, semi-monthly, and bi-weekly. A personal line of credit is a second option to consolidate existing balances and draw on the line multiple times and at any time. As an added benefit, borrowers pay interest only on the amount they withdraw. A home equity line of credit is yet another solution to consolidate debt if you are willing to pledge your equity as a loan guarantee. Again, customers benefit from the fact that they make interest-only payments on the amount withdrawn. As an added benefit, the interest rate is lower compared to unsecured loans. A balance transfer card is a fourth option that can be used to combine multiple outstanding balances and make a single payment. This option is beneficial if you hold multiple cards that go with higher-than-average interest rates. Banks usually feature attractive rates on balance transfer cards during a promotional period which can be as long as 12 consecutive months. Some banks even feature products with a zero rate while others advertise cards with very low rates and add-ons such as concierge service, rewards points, rebates, car rental discounts, comprehensive insurance, priority access at airports, and plenty more. You can check with some of the big banks to find a card with zero interest. MBNA, for example, offers such a card with zero interest on balance transfers during the first year, along with added benefits such as no annual fee and platinum services. Other providers offer cards with a 1.99 promotional rate, including American Express and the Royal Bank of Canada.

Credit Counseling Agencies

This is another solution to piling debt that will also help you learn how to budget and stay out of debt in the long run. Agencies represent and work on behalf of borrowers to negotiate with loan providers. Some charge fees while others operate as non-for-profits. If you choose this option, keep in mind that credit counseling will appear on your credit report. It is a good alternative if you are about to declare bankruptcy, however.

Rebuilding Credit

To rebuild credit, you can apply for a small loan but make sure you pay it on time. A credit card with a competitive rate and a small limit is also an option. If you have poor credit, you may want to use a secured card because it is easy to qualify for.  Avoid missed or late payments because they will show on your report. Paying bills in a timely manner also helps rebuild credit.

How to Stay Out of Debt

It is important to discuss money issues with your partner, create a budget, set limits, and stick to it. If that helps, you can make shopping lists. Finally, it pays to maintain a very good or excellent score to have access to low-cost products with exclusive benefits. If you find it harder to stay out of debt, you may want to stick to cash and try master debt management skills at the same time.