Seriously, what's not to love about Lake Banook? Set just outside of downtown Dartmouth, this lake…read morehas something for almost everyone. In the summer, there are beaches for swimming and play (both official and unofficial). There are several rowing activities - whether it's sculling, dragon boat racing or paired rowing that take place in the designated lanes. It's also a popular spot for fireworks and special events. Don't forget that Prince Albert Road is often closed off beside the lake for special events as well. All year round, there's a great mixed use trail around most of the lake that's used by strollers, dog walkers, runners, skateboarders and bicyclists. In the winter, the ice usually gets thick enough for skating. Basically, it's a great lake to meet all your lake needs.

We're so lucky to have a green space like this in the middle of Dartmouth!…read more Lake Banook has a really lovely trail around it for people walking/cycling/running. There are a number of aquatic clubs on the lake and it's well-known for sports competitions. There are also a couple of small beaches. The view is lovely and it's a nice walk on a sunny day. There are places to rent kayaks and stand-up paddle boards on the lake. I've read there's even a yoga class offered on the paddle boards!

A little oasis in the middle of the busy city. I love the contrast of urban and nature. A beautiful…read morespot to watch the sunset and birdwatching. Peaceful, tranquil and serene.

Although the arm lacks in cleanliness, being a large toilet bowl and all, the green space on the…read moreperiphery of this body of water can still be quite lovely. You may see the odd "beach whistle" or garbage floater, but if you set your gaze to the sky, you'll be tricked into believing you're at the edge of some glorious lake or ocean. This little green patch sticks out into the water; small and simple, it's perfect for lounging with a book or bringing a yoga mat down to do your practice. The space is close enough to the road that the hum of vehicles zipping past remains present, but even closer to the water so that the lap of waves is mainly what you'll hear. If you live in the Quinpool area, this little trove is a perfect knoll to visit with a picnic (and perhaps a bottle of wine) during an early summer evening. It's close enough that it's not a huge venture, but far enough that you get to indulge in a nice stroll and the gorgeous scenery care of the arm.

If you don't have a car, it's hard to get to the beach. Thankfully, Birch Cove Beach is here! It's…read morenot the largest beach in the world but the warm waters of Lake Banook invite you in. The parking lot and beach front have recently been renovated so there's lots of parking. A newly installed dock allows you to jump right in. The grass is a great place for a picnic during your fun. Not a fan of the water? There's a small park to explore as well.

Birch Cove is just a short walk from my house and is really one of the best spots in the city for…read morelake swimming. Due to the world canoe chamionships taking place here a few summers ago, the entire grounds, parking, etc. have been renovated and are top notch. There is a life guarded area, but I usually opt to plant myself on the grassy area a little farther down where it is a bit quieter. Great swimming that's clean and refreshing on lake Banook. It doesn't get much better than this.

This is a great, easy-to-access spot if you're able to go in the mornings, evenings or during the…read moreweek! I've had some great swims when I've gone first thing in the morning before the small beach area and parking lot started to fill up. The beach area is quite small and since it's easy to access, it gets quite busy. Your best bet is to take a bus or just walk/bike there! Since I prefer to not be super close to other people while I'm laying out reading, this is not a spot that I'd go on a weekend. The views are really nice though! Next to the beach are additional facilities like bathrooms, changing rooms, a tennis court, basketball courts, and a children's playground. A Halifax Rec Centre is across the street too. Great spot for a morning dip or if you love to be around people and don't have a car!

I think that there are a few key things to keep in mind when heading to Chocolate Lake. First of…read moreall, is there an alternative within walking/biking distance. Depending on where you live, there might be! Second of all, be aware that Chocolate Lake has a pretty high chlorine level. You will smell it on yourself after swimming. Third, avoid weekends in summer at all costs. Too busy. Overall though, a beautiful setting, especially if you're looking to cool down midweek in summer.

Beautiful and picturesque trail along the lake with couple of view points to enjoy. We also found…read moresome wild blueberry bushes on our way and stopped to take photos of them. There's also a canoe rental place that you can rent a canoe and paddle in the lake. Strongly recommended to anyone enjoying the nature.

A very well groomed beautiful trail suitable for baby strollers, walkers, and runners. Lots of…read morewildlife and beautiful scenes.

Williams Lake is my second favorite place to swim within a 10/15 minute proximity (via auto) to…read moredowntown Halifax. My first favorite place you ask? Well I'm sorry but I can't spill the beans on that one just yet, I'm simply not ready to part with the secret. Now, back to Williams Lake. You basically pull off of the road at any point along the lake's perimeter and then venture down into the woods until you hit a body of water. There are no beaches (that I know of) and not a lot of places to lay out a towel, but it is a nice place to swim; crisp, clean and fresh with no evidence of the close laying city in sight. My favorite time of day to head to this lake is around supper. Most people have left for the day and it's usually when the water is the warmest after being blazed by the sun's rays all day. If you're not a sure footed person, perhaps bring a walking stick and wear closed toes shoes for your little woodland trek down to the water. If you thrive off the beaten trail, then this is a nice spot for you to demonstrate your mad nature skills. There are no lifeguards, so I suggest going with at least one other person and looking out for one another. Have fun in the sun and be safe in the water!

Beautiful park with lots of history, every time we go we find trails we haven't seen before!read more

This park really has something for everyone on your list, including your dog if you have one. There…read moreare a few ways to get into this large park set along the Shubie Canal system. You can bike there from Downtown Dartmouth in about 15 minutes either going down Waverly Road or entering just past Mic Mac Mall. This is my usual route, but it is also very accessible by car with lots of parking at both main entrances. When you get there you are greeted by well-maintained trails, lovely lakes and paths that take you off into the woods and along the old Shubie Canal system. There are lots of animals in the park and they are very tame and well fed. They might just follow you around a bit which can be a bit strange but just go with it. There is also a great off-lease dog park that is very popular, maybe a bit too popular at times but if you have a dog that likes to go off lease you will enjoy it. The best part of this park is that it is big enough that even though it can get busy it is very easy to vanish into the wood and explore.

This is a really fantastic long trail that's great for walking, running or biking! I've only walked…read moresections of the trail, but I've always wanted to do the whole thing. I like walking the start of the trail that begins by the Fairview Shoppers Drugmart down into Armdale. This part of the trail starts parallel to Joseph Howe Drive, goes past the golf course and a big pond, then through residential areas behind people's homes. There's an interesting penny-farthing statue when you reach Armdale! If you're doing this section you could park in the Superstore or Shoppers parking lots or park at the start of the golf course's driveway. I also regularly walked the trail between Chain Link Dr. and Lakeside Industrial Park. It's really nice to see Bayer's Lake. Before I started walking that trail, I didn't realize that the shopping district was named for an actual lake! There is also a little trail (Bayers Lake Trail) through the woods that runs alongside the other side of the lake (compared to the CoLT) if you want to be in a more wooded section, though it's quite short. For this section I usually parked either at the Gracenote or Top Gun parking lots.

Sandy Lake Park is a great place to go even in the winter if you want to hike through some woods…read moreoff the beaten path. Even though the lake freezes over, there are some unfrozen spots which my dog enjoyed swimming in. In the summer, you can utilize some of the picnic tables overlooking the lake. There is a trail that is a circular loop but it's not exactly marked so I recommend coming early enough so you can find your way out. To get there, just take the 102 N to exit 3B - take a right on Smith Rd and drive to the end and there is a parking area.

Poorly marked trails in the off leash dog area, can't get to the beach as it suddenly became no…read moredogs allowed (even on a leash).

The cutest little park in Dartmouth that you've never heard of…read more Graham's Grove is barely noticeable; you've probably driven by it dozens of times completely unaware of its presence. Sitting just across from the Braemar Superstore, this little park has quite a lot going for it - y'know, other than size. It has a swimmable beach and a dock; both are popular points for kayakers and canoers to put their boats into the water. It has a few open clearings facing Lake Banook - great spots for picnics. There are some benches and picnic tables also littered throughout the space. It's also conveniently located on a multi-use trail that connects between Sullivan's Pond and Shubie Park. To paraphrase Vinyl Cafe, "It may not be big, but it's small."

This is a fantastic find! A small park, but nice trails, a big field, and it's very clean and…read morequiet. Easy to get to with lots of free parking. The only thing you need to watch out for are off leash dogs. Not everyone follows the "on leash" law. Otherwise, perfect.