Africville Museum employee wants better transit access to site

The lack of public transit and sidewalks at the Africville Museum in Halifax prompted one of the museum's interpreters to rally people online for support.

In less than 24 hours, an online petition she posted garnered more than 200 signatures.

"[Visitors] assume that they should be able to access a major historic site in the city by public transit, and people are shocked when they can't," said Sandra Fildes, an interpreter at the museum.

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Along with a lack of public transit to the heritage site, there are also no sidewalks on the road that access the museum.

"It's so unsafe to walk. The bare minimum that we want to ask for is just a safe way for pedestrians to get there," said Fildes.

Jaden Dixon, a summer employee at the museum whose father and grandfather lived in Africville, said she wants people to know her family's history and Canada's history.

The petition is addressed to Mayor Mike Savage and the city clerk's office.

"I understand their frustration and desire to have greater access to this important site," said Savage.

'Not an efficient use of transit'

He said city staff, engineers and Halifax Transit have been unable to configure a route to the area because of a lack of safe options for a stop near the church, and because of low demand.

"Routing a bus to the church alone is not an efficient use of transit," said Savage.

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"That said, I would support improved pedestrian amenities if they can be achieved in a way that is safe for pedestrians. We could also ask staff to consider a small transit option for Africville, the park, and other nearby points of interest although this is not a model we have used in the past," he said.

"It may well be an idea whose time has come."

Employees at the museum were encouraged by the mayor's response, but plan to continue with the petition until they get a firm commitment in terms of plans and timeline from the city.