Halifax park renamed Africville

The Halifax site where a black community once stood is once again called Africville.

Seaview Park in north-end Halifax was officially renamed at a ceremony Friday.

A new sign was unveiled as part of the annual Africville reunion and festival this weekend.

About 1,000 people are expected to spend the weekend in the park. They're coming from across Canada and the United States.

Brenda Steed-Ross of the Africville Genealogy Society said it's an opportunity for children to understand their heritage.

"We're trying to give them a little sample of the happy days that we had in Africville and the unity that we had. Even though we're all spread apart all over the globe, we all come together for these days," she said.

Africville was first settled in the 1830s when former American slaves and other black people moved to the area. But it was neglected by the former City of Halifax and became run-down over the years.

In the 1960s, the city evicted the residents and bulldozed their homes so part of the land could be used for a new bridge.

Halifax Mayor Peter Kelly issued a formal apology in February 2010.

The renaming of Seaview Park was part of a deal struck between the Halifax Regional Municipality and the Africville Genealogy Society.