Greenlink Rotary Park Trail System

About

Greenlink Rotary Park Trail System is a Canadian urban park located in the community of Sydney, part of Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Regional Municipality. The park incorporates the Greenlink Trail System, the Rotary Park Off Leash Park, as well as a disc golf course. Much of the park is forested, with ponds, a stone dam, and streams in the valleys; a few acres are open lawn area, suitable for informal recreation. The park encompass 52 acres (21 ha) within the former city's boundaries. The trail system connects Sydney's Shipyard and South End neighbourhoods to Membertou First Nation and the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. Two of the trails progress from Shandwick Street and the St. Anthony Daniel Ball Park, with both trails converging with the trail from Rotary Drive, crossing Churchill Drive, and extending to the Cape Breton Regional Hospital property.

The Greenlink Trail System is a series of 2.5 to 3 metres (8 to 10 ft) wide crushed limestone paths suitable for walkers and cyclists. The gravel surfaces are not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers. The paths meander through a scenic natural area bordering Wentworth Creek (now Reservoir Brook, also known as Sullivan's Brook) and a historic water reservoir with a stone dam and waterfall. The paths are not illuminated at night. Benches have been provided along the paths for resting, signs and interpretive displays for information.

The trail system is approximately 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) in length, with some longer routes such as Shandwick St. to the Regional Hospital or St. Anthony Daniel Ball Field to the Hospital both at 2.2 kilometres (1.4 mi) one way. Parking lots are located at the Rotary Drive and Churchill Drive entrances.

The paths are well maintained, the parking lots (but not the paths) are plowed and sanded in winter, the trails left snow covered for winter snowshoeing or cross-country skiing.

Access to the trail system is at the following locations:

- Cul-de-sac at the end of Maillard Street, Membertou (next to new rink and the Hampton Inn) - 51 Maillard St, Membertou, NS B1S 3W4

- Churchill Drive with a parking area - 425 Churchill Dr, Mira Road, NS B1P 0B1

- Cape Breton Regional Hospital (near staff entrance) - 45 Weatherbee Rd, Mira Road, NS B1M 0A1

- End of Shandwick Street - 142 Shandwick St, Sydney, NS B1P 4V6

- Rotary Drive with a parking area - 331 Rotary Dr, Sydney, NS B1P 6L4

- Saint Anthony Daniel (Shipyard) Ball Park (just behind park) with a parking area - 24 Mt Kemmel St, Sydney, NS B1S 3V6

Beginning in July 2013 a trial period began where pets were permitted on the trails throughout Greenlink Rotary Park Trail System but had to be leashed and managed by their owners. At this same time the Rotary Park Off Leash Park was designated adjacent to the trails, encompassing over 12 acres (4.9 ha) of the greater park area.

In July 2014 this became a permanent feature of the park, dogs are now permitted off leash provided the dog is under the control of the owner. The dog park area is unfenced but preserves a 30 metres (100 ft) buffer from the Greenlink Trails, Rotary Drive, and the abutting residential properties with signage indicating where the off leash area begins and ends.

A nine-hole disc golf course was incorporated into the park in the summer of 2017, with an official unveiling on 25 October that year. All "holes" are listed as par-3 and have standard disc golf baskets. The course lies in a mixed terrain of low hills, trees and open areas and part of the course shares a section of the off-leash dog park.

Like all amenities in Greenlink Rotary Park, the disc golf course is free for the public to use and can be accessed near the park gate on Rotary Drive.

The original 9-hole layout was upgraded to a full 18-hole course. Construction began in 2020 and was finished in early 2021. Only 3 original holes remain. 15 completely new holes were designed throughout the property. This layout is now known as the Yellow Layout (or Original). As of 2024, this remains the most popular layout/ course in Cape Breton.

The First ever Cape Breton Open was held at Rotary Park Disc Golf Course. The inaugural champion Michael Stoddart. Michael spent a portion of his childhood in Sydney, making him the perfect champ.

Rotary Park Disc Golf Course was upgraded to 27 holes. The Membertou Loop was added to the property. The addition of these holes incorporated elite-tier holes into the area. Something that was lacking beforehand. This allowed for several different loop combinations. At this point, Rotary Park has multiple layouts (Yellow, Pink, Green, Double Park Loop)

The second-ever Cape Breton Open was held on four layouts. Green, Yellow, Pink, and 27 Hole Layout. Michael Stoddard also became a two-time champion.

The Cape Breton Open was held using three layouts. Green, Yellow, and Pink. There was a new champion crowned in Nathan McCarthy. Shooting A course record on the Green layout of -9 (-8 adjusted to the traditional layout).