Spryfield

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

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 buildup 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 a lot more than it is worth; most of Spryfield is quiet and peaceful.

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. Originally known as Spry's Field, the town is centred around the Captain's former estate.

The availability of land suitable for farming, and the relative close proximity to the Halifax Market attracted new settlers, including the Drysdale, Kidston, Brunt, Connors, Henneberry, Moor, Norris, Sutherland, Warner, Findlay, Umlah, Yeadon, and McInnis families. Descendants of these Many of whom still reside in the community today.

Of particular note was Henry Lieblin, a Halifax baker who held 500 acres of land by the latter 18th century. Lieblin had built a "bake house" and "brew house" on his land, which helped in attracting early settlers.

The community's first public school opened in 1859. Its teacher, Elizabeth Sutherland, taught the town's early residents. In 1958, Elizabeth Sutherland Memorial School opened in her honour.

Schools

• J. L. Ilsley High School (10-12), 38 Sylvia Avenue
• Chebucto Heights Elementary (P-6), Cowie Hill Rd.
• Central Spryfield School (P-6), 364 Herring Cove Road
• Elizabeth Sutherland (P-9); 66 Rockingstone Road
• Rockingstone Heights School; 1 Regan Dr
• Cunard Junior High School (7-9); 121 William's Lake Road

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.

External links

• Spryfield Graffiti Tour
• We Are Spryfield
• Captain William Spry Public Library
• HRM's Recreation Site
• Stephen Adams, HRM Councillor
• Michele Raymond, MLA
• Alexa McDonough, MP

44°36′14.7″N 63°36′31″W