Town of New Glasgow

POPULATION: 9,000

TOWN OF NEW GLASGOW

THE DOCK | PHOTO: TOURISM NOVA SCOTIA

DOWNTOWN NEW GLASGOW, PROVOST STREET | PHOTO: DEANS The Town of New Glasgow lines the banks of the East River. Named for Glasgow, Scotland, the town was founded on shipbuilding. In fact, Captain George MacKenzie, the father of Nova Scotia shipbuilding, was a resident here in the 1800s. Today the town serves as the commercial service centre for Pictou County and has the highest population density per square kilometre outside of the Halifax region. Along the west side of the river is the Samson walking trail and the downtown core is home to a variety of shops, services and restaurants.

ENJOY THE OUTDOORS

Enjoy the town’s many parks and trails, such as Goodman Rotary Park along the riverbanks where you can enjoy a picnic, and even outdoor concerts and events, or the Africentre Heritage Park on Vale Road, which was created in 2000 to commemorate the past, focus on the present and provide a foundation for the cultural future of Nova Scotians of African descent.

Near North Nova Education Centre is the Scott Weeks Sports Complex (the on-site fields are known as Parkdale) where, in the warmer months you’ll see a host of activities: rugby, ultimate frisbee, soccer and more. There is also a playground on-site, as well as a skate park, a track, nearby trail, and the Bluenose Curling Club. There are several other elementary and middle schools, community centres such as the Ward One Community Centre (Brother Street), and the North End Rec Centre (High Street), and playgrounds such as the Westside Community Centre (Lavinia Street).

DOWNTOWN NEW GLASGOW, VIOLA DAVIS MURAL | PHOTO: DEANS newglasgow.ca

TIP FROM THE LOCALS

Across from the Westside Community Centre is the town’s outdoor tennis courts, where you can play or take lessons. You’ll often hear parts of New Glasgow referred to as the ‘East’ and ‘West’ Side, which simply denotes which side of the East River the location is on.

GETTING AROUND

From Trans-Canada Highway 104, East River Road is the main corridor from the highway (Exit 25) where you’ll see the East River Road Industrial Park, our Aberdeen Hospital, the Aberdeen Business Centre, and a variety of businesses and services. East River Road leads to Archimedes Street and the town’s downtown core.

MUST-SEE (AND HEAR) EVENTS

New Glasgow is host to a variety of annual events such as the Riverfront Music Jubilee, the Festival of the Tartans – New Glasgow Highland Games which celebrates our Scottish heritage, Johnny Miles Running Events, the Marathon of Respect and Equality, the Race on the River Dragon Boat Festival, and the New Glasgow Music Festival.