Chocolate Lake is located in the Armdale neighbourhood of Halifax, Nova Scotia.[1] The lake is surrounded by many private homes as well as a Best Western hotel and a city beach. As one of the nearest freshwater lakes to Downtown Halifax, Chocolate Lake is popular with swimmers and families during the summer months.

Chocolate Lake
Chocolate Lake, including city beach
Chocolate Lake is located in Nova Scotia
Chocolate Lake
Chocolate Lake
LocationHalifax, Nova Scotia
Coordinates44°38′19.9″N 63°37′19.9″W / 44.638861°N 63.622194°W / 44.638861; -63.622194
TypeArtificial
Surface elevation25 m (82 ft)
SettlementsArmdale, Halifax

Chocolate Lake has turtles, muskrats, and catfish. Although it is cited as contaminated,[2] the City of Halifax tests the water quality periodically and the beach has rarely been closed for high levels of bacteria. Chocolate Lake is sourced by the Chain of Lakes, which is Halifax’s backup water supply.

In the summer months, the beach is patrolled by lifeguards from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm; at least six deaths have been attributed to Chocolate Lake in roughly the past two decades.[3] Chocolate Lake is often miscited as an old quarry, confused with the King's and Queen's quarries found in Purcell's Cove.[4] The city also provides changing rooms and washrooms.[5] Other facilities near the beach include a tennis court, basketball courts, and a children's playground. There is a municipally-run Chocolate Lake Recreation Centre on the opposite side of Herring Cove Road.[6]

Chocolate Lake is referenced in the Jenn Grant song titled Dreamer at approximately 1:52.[7]

Transport

edit

Chocolate Lake is within walking distance of the urban West End, Quinpool District, and Armdale, as well as many suburban neighbourhoods in Halifax, and is accessible via Halifax Transit routes 9A/9B and 24. It also has a small parking lot off Melwood Avenue.

References

edit
  1. ^ Robyn Young (2007-07-23). "Chocolate Lake closed:Popular beach is shut down because of high levels of bacteria". Metro Halifax. Archived from the original on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  2. ^ Islam, M.R. (2008). Nature Science and Sustainable Technology Research Progress. Nova Publishers. p. 178.
  3. ^ "Global News: "Chocolate Lake resident wants warning signs installed at all entrance ways to beach"".
  4. ^ Halifax Military Preservation Society. "Purcell's Cove Quarries".
  5. ^ "Supervised Beaches, Outdoor Pools and Splash Pads". Parks and Recreation. Halifax Regional Municipality. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  6. ^ "Chocolate Lake Community Recreation Centre". Parks and Recreation. Halifax Regional Municipality. Archived from the original on 9 August 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  7. ^ Jenn Grant. 'Dreamer'. YouTube.com. 26 October 2009 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhR0smh6jo4
edit