photo credit: Bob MacEachern
There are many opportunities close to home that are non-structured in nature and available for use at your own leisure. Usually, the cost of participating is minimal or free of charge. The Town of Pictou Recreation and Parks department recognizes the benefits of recreation and strives to make recreational activities accessible to everyone regardless of socioeconomic barriers. By promoting self-directed recreation, we hope to increase physical activity and citizen engagement in Pictou. The Pictou Recreation and Parks department achieves to be a leader in physical activity and healthy lifestyle promotion. We aim to do this through increased development of public spaces, as well as a focus on fostering self-directed recreation and creating safe and welcoming spaces for people to reconnect with nature.
Equipment Loan Program
Pictou County offers a loan program for recreational equipment available by the various municipal units throughout the county. If there is a piece of equipment that you would enjoy, simply fill out the survey and the appropriate person will be in contact with you. Book your equipment today at Go Play.
For a complete listing of equipment that Pictou Recreation and Parks download the pdf GoPlay Brochure (3.46 MB) .
Looking for ideas?
A kit bag full of outdoor recreation equipment for entertaining family and friends, canoe, paddleboards, kayaks, bikes, snowshoes, nordic walking poles, sport wheelchairs, washer toss games, floor hockey equipment, tennis rackets, rollerblades, flag football and baseball kit with bats, helmets, catchers equipment, and balls.
Discover our PLAY BOX, new in Veterans Drive Playground; a box of outdoor games and fun that you can use at your own leisure. Fun for families, friends and on your own!
Download the full pdf GoPLAY Equipment Loan Program brochure (3.46 MB) .
Here are some ideas to get started...
Sports Equipment Bag
A kit bag full of outdoor recreation equipment for entertaining family and friends. The kit includes frisbees, Tug O’War rope, bat, balls, pylons, a book of game ideas and more. Free to borrow.
Also available for loan: road hockey equipment, baseball, rollerblades, washer toss sets and flag football.
Play Packs
Play Packs are kits with books and play equipment in them. They are available to borrow using your free library card.
These kits are available at the library in Pictou.
Adventure Day Packs
A backpack is full of outdoor fun equipment to explore nature with. Four packs are available. Hiking, bird watching, survival kit, star and moon gazing, tree and animal tracks, bug collecting, children's activities and more. Available through the Pictou Library, sign out just like a book. Made possible through the Pictou West Community Health Board, Pictou Recreation and Parks and the Pictou Library.
Basketball
Come down to the town office and borrow a basketball from our sports equipment bag and go shoot some hoops at the outdoor basketball court at Pictou Academy or McCulloch Education Centre.
Baseball
Balls, bats and bases are included in our sports equipment bag which is available at the Town office. Why not go hit a few home runs at Ricky Sutherland Memorial Field.
Geocaching
Stop by the town office for a Geocaching map that will lead you to some great spots on the Jitney Trail to find treasure. This is an activity that can be done solo or with a group.
Bike Tune-Up Kits
The Pictou Library has everything you’ll need to get ready for a bike ride. Come sign out a kit with your free library card. These kits have a bike pump, lock and tool kit.
Tennis
Tennis rackets are available to borrow from the Town office. Go out and enjoy our new tennis court.
Swimming
The Fisheries Training Pool offers drop-in rates as low as $6.00 for adults and $3.50 for students and seniors. Swimming is a relatively low-cost activity that one can participate in at their leisure.
Running Clubs
Inquire at the Town office about current running programs being offered.
Nordic Walking Poles and Snowshoes
Nordic walking poles and snowshoes are available for loan, call the Town office to sign them out for the day or weekend.
Canoe
Interested in canoeing? Pictou Recreation and Parks have one available to lend out for the day or weekend. All safety equipment included.
Bikes
There are both adult and youth bikes available to lend, helmets included.
Kayaks and Paddleboards
Inflatable kayaks and paddleboards, easy to transport. Comes with all safety equipment, paddles and a carry bag. Note: kayaks are doubles.
Indoor Walking
At the Hector Arena, October to March. Walk the indoor track around the ice surface; by donation.
Open Skates
Free Skating at the Hector Arena
Watch for details on Free Skates at the Hector Arena beginning in the fall; made possible by local businesses and donors; go to Trails, Parks, Facilities for details.
Pictou New Horizons Club
The Pictou New Horizons Club promotes the social well-being of our seniors in the town of Pictou and the surrounding area. It is located close to the Hector Heritage Quay on Pictou's Waterfront. It is an ideal venue for seniors to gather to socially interact with one another, play some cards, line dance, potlucks, board games and make new friends. The club is accessible and provides a clean safe place for all events scheduled. They welcome new members and anyone who wishes to come in to visit is cordially invited to do so. If you are interested in joining, contact either the Membership Committee Chairperson or the Treasurer and complete a simple application form. Annual dues are minimal, $5.00 and will provide assess to activities taking place at the Club.
Parks & Playgrounds
Broidy Park
Come enjoy our beautiful park, equipped with a full jungle gym and tennis courts!
Pine Street Playground & Veterans Drive Playground
Both are located in residential neighbourhoods, sheltered picnic areas are available.
Ricky Sutherland Memorial Field
Baseball, kickball, soccer; are just some of the self-directed recreation activities you can do at this location.
Chisholm Memorial Field
Baseball, kickball, soccer, and more.
You can book a baseball field to enjoy a family or group activity by calling Pictou Recreation and Parks at 902-485-4372. Gather a group, play a game, have a BBQ!
Trails
Jitney Trail
The Jitney Trail is a registered Trans Canada Trail that runs along the Pictou Waterfront. This scenic trail is a great place for running, walking, Nordic walking, biking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing! It is paved 1.5km and stroller/wheelchair friendly.
Blue Route
“The Blue Route provincial cycling network will connect Nova Scotia’s communities through designated cycling routes on secondary highways with paved shoulders, low traffic volume roads, hard-surfaced trails, and city streets” (Bicycle Nova Scotia, 2016). This route has been created with self-directed recreation in mind and it starts from the Jitney Trail in Pictou!
Fitness Trail
A network of footpaths is located behind McCulloch Education Centre, off Louise Street.
