This is a story of resilience, dedication, and consistent stewardship by a small rural community in Victoria County, Cape Breton.

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Background

 

For almost 100 years, a ferry operated across the Great Bras d’Or between Big Harbour and Ross Ferry. In 1961, the Seal Island Bridge replaced the ferry and became part of the Trans-Canada Highway between Sydney and Baddeck. Jobs were lost in the community of Ross Ferry, and some people were forced to move away. The ferry wharf was abandoned and began to deteriorate.

 

In the early 1990s, when the Point Aconi power plant was being built, the contractor needed a place to land major equipment. They were permitted to fill in the space between the two arms of the wharf as a landing pad. For years, young people in the community had used the wharf as a place to dive and swim in the Bras d’Or Lake, but its condition made this increasingly dangerous.

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Time to Take Action

 

The community was both concerned and curious. A site that had once provided an essential service had become derelict and unsafe. In addition, because most of the land around the lake is privately owned, many residents without waterfront property had no access to the water.

 

Ross Ferry is rich in human resources. It is a beautiful place to live, home to many skilled individuals and professionals. In the early 1990s, people began meeting informally at the fire hall after dart league. Concerns about the dangers at the wharf soon turned into ideas for redevelopment, and the dream began to grow. After decades of neglect, local residents decided it was time to take matters into their own hands.

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The Dream

 

The community held several large meetings and, with the help of a skilled facilitator who was also a local resident, set clear goals. They concluded that the site should be preserved and transformed into a community asset rather than remain a liability.

 

Their vision was to create a park that could be enjoyed by both locals and visitors, providing safer access to the lake and showcasing its natural beauty. The wharf could include a launch and landing ramp for boaters, while the land above could feature hiking trails and picnic areas. It would become a true community gathering place.

 

Recognizing that this project fell outside the mandate of the fire department, the Ross Ferry Stewardship Society was formed to lead the effort. The Society was officially registered in 2002.

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A Kick-Start

 

One complication was that the land at the site was owned by the provincial government, while the wharf itself belonged to the federal government. The most urgent concern was the condition of the wharf.

 

The Stewardship Society approached their federal Member of Parliament for assistance. To their surprise, he secured a $200,000 grant to repair the wharf to safety standards. This funding set the project in motion.

 

Community members stepped forward as volunteers, taking on roles in fundraising, government relations, environmental assessments, and grant writing. There was never a shortage of hands or expertise, and the level of excitement in the community was palpable.

 

Construction

 

The Board worked with ECBC/ACOA regarding the federal grant and with the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources Parks Division, based in Truro. The concept of a park began to take shape, and Parks Nova Scotia assumed responsibility for the design of the building, picnic shelters, and benches, as the site was intended to be a non-designated provincial park. This meant that the Parks Department determined the design and construction standards, while the Stewardship Society covered the costs.

 

The wharf was repaired, though it remained somewhat rough. The Society negotiated an agreement with the Province of Nova Scotia to manage the site, and work began on what would become the Ross Ferry Marine Park. A building was constructed, and the strong physical connection between the park land and the wharf led to the adoption of the name “Ross Ferry Marine Park.”

 

A grant from Nova Scotia Tourism provided marketing funds for signage and interpretive panels. Local historians and experts in marine biology and botany prepared the content. One dedicated resident spent an entire summer cutting and preparing hiking trails through the woods.

 

Opening and Fundraising

 

The park officially opened on September 5, 2005, to the great joy of the community. The ribbon was cut by brothers Lloyd and Robert Grant, long-time pillars of Ross Ferry whose family had once operated the ferry store.

 

Families began gathering at the park to picnic, hike, and swim. The volunteer board quickly realized that ongoing costs—particularly insurance and maintenance—would require steady fundraising and careful financial management. A local former CRA tax specialist took on responsibility for the Society’s finances.

 

Corporate sponsorships, memberships, and events became the primary sources of revenue. Special fundraising campaigns supported specific projects, such as the installation of a permanent outdoor privy and septic system. Sponsors also contributed in kind; for example, Seaside High Speed provided free Wi-Fi for the park.

 

Sunday became the busiest day for visitors, and volunteers began selling French fries and hot dogs as a fundraiser. This proved extremely popular, drawing people from across Cape Breton. The Sunday BBQ soon became the Society’s primary source of operating funds.

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Moving Forward

 

In 2008, the Society signed a formal management agreement with the Department of Natural Resources. In 2009, the Ross Ferry Stewardship Society received charitable status from the Canada Revenue Agency, allowing it to issue tax receipts for donations and memberships over $10.

 

In 2015, the Society launched a local farmers’ market, held on Sunday afternoons. The market became a major attraction and further strengthened attendance at the Sunday BBQ, helping to fund park operations.

 

Our Community Gathering Place

 

Over time, the Ross Ferry Marine Park became the heart of the community. Weddings, meetings, marine biology demonstrations, extended family picnics, sailing races, outdoor church services, and even an outdoor video concert have all taken place there. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the local book club and knitting group met at the park.

 

Each summer, the Society organizes a series of educational presentations on scientific and cultural topics, held outdoors at the park or, in case of rain, at the fire hall. Fundraising efforts also supported the installation of a children’s playground and, later, a green gym provided by Victoria County. Both are used daily, including throughout the winter.

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Community Celebrations

 

Canada Day is celebrated annually at the park, marking the opening of the season with music, food, and games. A smaller Labour Day event closes out the summer program. The park remains open year-round, welcoming visitors until heavy snow arrives.

 

A highlight was the Canada 150 celebration. Anticipating a large crowd, additional volunteers, parking attendants, St. John Ambulance, and the RCMP were on site. The day featured food, live music, games, and a historical re-enactment by local students portraying the arrival of the first settlers.

 

The celebration began with a march down the road carrying the Canadian flag, joined by runners, horseback riders, families with strollers, people using wheelchairs and electric carts, and many others. Community members lined their driveways to wave as the procession passed. The flag was raised at noon on July 1 in the Marine Park before a crowd of more than 650 people—about 400 more than usual. Many said it was the best Canada 150 celebration on the island. Park usage has increased steadily since that event.

 

Stewards of the Park

 

The Stewardship Society takes its role seriously. Funds were raised to re-clad the wharf and install proper tie-ups and ladders for sailors and swimmers. 

 

The boat launch, part of the original vision, is now used by boaters from across Cape Breton. Additional fundraising and a generous donation from a summer resident made it possible to install a finger wharf to enhance the launch.

 

Each spring, volunteers clean the park—clearing fallen trees from trails, tending gardens, mowing grass, cleaning the building, setting out picnic tables, and repairing winter damage. The Society also applies annually for summer students to help maintain the site and provide information to visitors. In late October, the park is winterized: picnic tables are stacked, interpretive panels are stored, and the building is cleaned.

 

A Community Jewel

 

The Ross Ferry Marine Park has become the hub of the community. Today it is a vibrant, welcoming space featuring picnic areas, walking trails, a refurbished wharf, a boat launch, a children’s playground, and a green gym—all set along the shores of the Bras d’Or Lake.

Support the work of the Ross Ferry Stewardship Society ​​