Outdoor Recreation in Nova Scotia

In 1986, the Leese family of Westville, Nova Scotia, opened North America’s first fully accessible recreational wilderness park designed specifically for people with disabilities and seniors. The family gave their land, time and money so that simple pleasures such as fishing and picnicking would be available to certain people in the province’s Pictou County who might not otherwise be able to participate in these experiences.

The Lansdowne Outdoor Recreational Development Association (LORDA) has grown over the years, and today the park includes fishing ponds, nature trails, picnic areas and more. Every year, the ponds are stocked with fish by the Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries. Annual events held at the park include a fishing derby and barbecue for people with intellectual disabilities and a similar event for the children of Chernobyl.

There is no charge to use the facility, which is open for 20 weeks out of the year and operates exclusively on donations. This summer, wheelchair accessible shuttle bus service will even be offered to the park from various townships in the region.

The 30 years of dedication and hard work behind LORDA are part of the reason it has been recognized with an array of awards. The list includes the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association’s Award of Excellence for Innovation, given in recognition of outstanding leadership and innovation in the parks and recreational field.

For more information, call (902) 396-3344, or visit www.lorda.pchg.net.