Shannon Park drone video captures ghost town neighbourhood

A drone recently visited a ghost town in Dartmouth, N.S., and the result was a spectacular aerial tour.

Not far from the bustling MacKay Bridge that spans Halifax Harbour sits what remains of Shannon Park. The cluster of apartment buildings was once home to a community of military families, but has been abandoned for more than a decade.

Dartmouth photographer Gary Brinton decided to use a drone to capture what's left of the neighbourhood as a personal project. The buildings are slated for demolition later this year, closing a chapter of the city's military history.

Brinton posted the video to YouTube, and said he was surprised to hear from so many people, including those who used to live in Shannon Park.

"This has been getting amazing feedback," he told CBC Nova Scotia. "I have been contacted by people from as far as Edmonton about how this video has brought back some many good memories for them."

Using the drone, Brinton was able to peek into the fenced-off area and capture images of rusting playground equipment and roads overgrown with weeds. No one has lived in Shannon Park since 2004, when the navy moved out and left behind more than 400 empty apartments.

The buildings date back to the 1950s, when they were built to fix a housing shortage for navy personnel and their families following the Second World War. The area is also now a designated space for flying drones.

The land was sold by the military to the federal government last year, but it remains to be seen what exactly will be built next on the 35 hectares of land.

"I have high hopes for Dartmouth and have a passion to see more affordable housing for underprivileged and low-income folks," Brinton said. "I am a commercial photographer full-time but I am also on the board for Souls Harbour Rescue Mission, and my heart is for people and this city, period."