Lawrencetown Beach Provincial Park, Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore

Dykes were built in the Lawrencetown salt marshes to reclaim farmland. The dyked land had to sit unused for two years before it could be farmed. This allowed the snow and the rain to wash the salt out of the soil. The fertile mud dried into excellent farming soil. The water in the marshland behind the dyke drained through the earth wall at an opening called an aboiteaux. The seawater could not get in, but the fresh water that accumulated during the day could flow out at low tide. The West Lawrencetown dyke, was located on Conrad Road at the bottom of the big hill as you turn right toward the beach. You can still see the remaining rocks from the dyke wall. The entire marshland in front of Atlantic View School was once dyked, drained, and farmed. Lawrencetown Beach Provincial Park is a mecca for surfing on the Eastern Shore not far from downtown Halifax. Surfers gather here along with family members to enjoy a day at the beach. Strong rip tides and currents are common; swimmers and surfers must exercise caution. The park has supervised swimming areas in July and August. Park features include ramped boardwalks, change houses, showers, and flush toilets. The beach park connects to a walking trail on a former train track and is part of the larger Cole Harbour-Lawrencetown Coastal Heritage Park System. City RV Rentals recommends this Provincial Park.