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Nova ScotiaThe Big Build

Shannon Park reunion will gather people from B.C. to Halifax

Dave Cherrington lives on the other side of the country and has for nearly 30 years. But home to him will always be 14 Cayuga Dr. in Shannon Park.

'I would love to walk the streets one last time,' says man with fond memories of vanished community

Dave Cherrington stands in Shannon Park in 1984. (Courtesy Dave Cherrington)

Most people zipping by Shannon Park consider it a sprawling blemish along Halifax Harbour. But for many former military children, Shannon Park was their childhood neighbourhood.

Over nearly 50 years, thousands of children were raised in the community. They played on those rusted-out swings, skipped stones on the water's edge and ran along the overgrown pathways.

Dave Cherringtonmay havelivedon the other side of the country for nearly 30 years, but home to him will always be 14 Cayuga Drivein Shannon Park.

"I would love to walk the streets one last time, but I know it's probably not going to happen," Cherrington says over the telephone from Trail, B.C., where he works as a school janitor.

Dave Cherrington's childhood home in 1984. (Courtesy Dave Cherrington)
And Cherrington's childhood home in 2010. (Courtesy Dave Cherrington)

Outside his B.C. house, Cherrington's made a reproduction of his childhood street sign and screwed it to his clothesline like a flag.

Dave Cherrington flies the Shannon Park flag proud, even though he lives in B.C. (Courtesy Dave Cherrington)

Cherrington, 46, is one of hundreds of former Shannon Park residents who will gather this summer in Nova Scotia for a reunion.People will gather from July 29 to 31.

Vintage dancing in Shannon Park

9 years ago
Duration 1:14
Patti Christie collected this vintage video of Shannon Park kids dancing.

Patti Christie is helping to organize the reunion for the community. She grew up there in the 1960s and '70s.

"I see the buildings there almost daily and I look at them and I'm reminded of a happy childhood, lots of friends that arestill maintained to this day," she says."I think it's going to be great to see life back in there."

Christiecollected over 1,000 photographs from former residents for the reunion, along with some awesomely awkward footage of a dance for young people. She shared them with us check out the photo gallery below.

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