SPRYFIELD, NOVA SCOTIA

'Spryfield' is a neighbourhood in Mainland Halifax, Nova Scotia. The name "Spryfield" is also used to refer to the general area of Halifax's South Mainland.

Contents
The Community
History
Schools
Government Representatives
External links

The Community


Spryfield has a handful of playgrounds for children to play (there are current efforts to alleviate this need; including the construction of a Kaboom playground structure behind the Lions' rink), and numerous lakes for swimming in the summer months. For people who are not interested in swimming in a lake, there is a public pool in the middle of the community at the Captain William Spry Community Centre. There are baseball fields, soccer fields, basketball courts, and a hockey rink for recreational sports, plus multiple gyms.
Along with the build up of subdivisions and homes, there are several schools located in Spryfield for all ages. There are daycares, elementary schools, junior high schools, and one high school (J.L.Ilsley High School). When choosing a school in Spryfield, children may attend French immersion or English speaking classes starting from elementary school.
A variety of residential areas set among green space have made it attractive for residential development, and it has become a fast growing community. The area is undergoing a period of growth with new subdivisions under construction. The Herring Cove Road business area has undergone many improvements and new business locations are appearing.
There is a strong sense of community in the neighbourhood, with many programs for all ages, history societies and a general pride. Although along with this comes a bad reputation in the area that has held up for years. There are boarded up buildings littering Herring cove Rd, and crime (mostly drug related)that has continued to plague the area. The reputation seems to stretch reality seeing that people take it for alot more than it is worth, most of spryfield is quiet and peaceful. This is starting to change for the worse, as crime starts to rise again in the area after the supposed "peak" in the late 80's early 90's.

History


First occupied by settlers, who used to hunt and fish at Beaver Lake (now called Long Lake), Spryfield is named after Captain William Spry who purchased land in the area in 1769.
The availability of land suitable for farming attracted new settlers, such as the Drysdale, Kidston, Umlah, Yeadon, McInnis and other well-known local families who survive in the community to this day.

Schools



J.L. Ilsley High School (10-12), 38 Sylvia Avenue

★ Central Spryfield School (P-6), 364 Herring Cove Road

★ Elizabeth Sutherland (P-9); 66 Rockingstone Road

★ Rockingstone Heights School; 1 Regan Dr

Government Representatives



Michele Raymond is currently the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Halifax Atlantic, the constituency that includes the community of Spryfield. She was elected in 2003.

Alexa McDonough is the Member of Parliament for Halifax, which in 2004 was re-organized to include the community of Spryfield.

Stephen Adams is the HRM City Councilor for District 18, he was elected in 1991 initially serving the area as representative of Ward 7 before amalgamation.

Darren Watts is the School Board Rep for District 10, which includes the feeder schools for J. L Ilsley High School. He was elected in 2004.

External links



Boys and Girls Club of Spryfield

Spryfield Graffiti Tour

We Are Spryfield

Spryfield District Business Commission

Captain William Spry Public Library

HRM's Recreation Site

Captain William Spry Community Centre

Central Spryfield School

J. L. Ilsley High School

Stephen Adams, HRM Councillor

Michele Raymond, MLA

Alexa McDonough, MP

Darren Watts, Halifax Regional School Board

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