When I lived in California, I would regularly walk around the trailer park that I lived in. That was my walk around the block – on a flat, cement roadway. I enjoyed looking at peoples’ yards and seeing the succulents as they bloomed in different seasons.
When I don’t have time for a hike, I like to walk. I prefer my walks to involve some form of nature. Fortunately, since moving to Bridgewater, I’ve found several places to walk – some without driving and others less than a five-minute drive from home. My walks have been even more exciting. I no longer need to walk on the streets or sidewalks; there are several choices.
What is also of interest is that all these places are dog friendly. You often see people walking their pets (always leashed). I’m looking forward to being one of those dog walkers 🙂
The Duck Pond
The first pathway I was introduced to was what the locals call “‘the Duck Pond,” but Google Maps calls “Town Pond.” It doesn’t look like much from the roadway, but a full circumnavigation of the pond is a kilometer. In addition, there is an offshoot trail that is about half a kilometer long, so it is easy to do a two kilometer walk.
As the seasons have changed, the source of entertainment on my walks has changed. In the early fall it was the spectacular colours on the trees. In the late fall it was the muskrats swimming and diving throughout the pond. Then there are the ducks. They are a constant source of entertainment. In the winter as the pond ices up, it is amusing watching the ducks slip and slide on the ice as they try to walk on the slick surface.
The Centennial Trail
The Centennial Trail is a rails-to-trail trail that runs through Bridgewater on both sides of the LaHave River. It is really more than one walking trail, as you can join it in many different parts of town and your walk is completely different based on where you get on. The trail on the South Side of the river is surrounded by Acadian forests and even goes right by Treehouse Village. On the North side of the river the trail hugs the river. The pedestrian bridge across the river affords a great view and is even equipped with a picnic table and shelter part way across.
Miller Point Peace Park
I didn’t think much of Miller Point Peace Park when I looked at it on a map, but my first walk there convinced me it is a great park. The main path is actually a dirt road used to access the cemetery as well as winding through the park, but there are also trails through the wooded areas, along the river, and across a small wooden bridge over wetlands. You can do a loop of about 2.5 km all on forest trails or on some combination of the main pathway and forest trails.
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