NOVA SCOTIA
Sambro
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A popular beach southwest of Halifax, it consists of three beaches in little coves near one another. Natives used it for centuries before Europeans arrived and settled in the area which became known as "Coote's Cove". It once had some amusements but no complete dates have surfaced yet. The beach was then long frequented by locals to the point where commercial interests moved in. Camping was available at a spot overlooking the beach and the sea. A miniature train was in a sand pit next to a pond, but by one report it carried people from the parking lot to the campground. Paddle boats were available but it's unknown if they were meant for the pond or the ocean. This was all there at least in the 1960s.
Washrooms, a changehouse and a canteen were provided. Later a carousel was there, but it's not known if it was permanent or just brought in for part of the summer months.
Eventually business twindled and all the above was removed. Rumour has it that some unscrupolous individuals would man the parking lot booth and charge money to park even though the private owners no longer ran the park. Revenue of $300.00 to $500.00 a weekend has been quoted.
Sometime in the 1970s, the park became a provincial one and around then the third beach (Mackerel Cove) became an unofficial clothes-optional beach. The other beaches continue to be used by all on hot summer days along with over eight kilometres of trails.
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