Today, the Town of Salisbury is announcing a pilot project to welcome a container-based licensed refreshment hub to Salisbury’s Highland Park. From June to October, The Fox in the Park, operated by Woodland Ventures, will be offering Sussex Ale Works craft beer, non-alcoholic beverages, snacks, events, and partnerships with local restaurants.
Following an expression of interest from Alaina and Rick Lockhart to establish a container (sea can) based business at Salisbury’s Highland Park in light of recent park investments, the Town has drafted a lease agreement to permit the operations on a pilot basis. During the Regular Council Meeting on April 14, 2025, Town Council formally ratified the lease agreement.
The proposed container will be 20′ x 8′ and will be located in the area of the washroom, overlooking the River. It is expected to be open Thursdays and Fridays from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM, Saturdays from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and Sundays from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM, starting in June.
In 2024, the Town acquired ~1.5 acres of additional land adjacent to the upper-level of the Park. With the amphitheatre and washroom completing the former 2014 Highland Park Revitalization Plan, the Town will use this land purchase opportunity to consult residents on the future of Highland Park. This Summer’s pilot will help inform how commercial partnerships of this nature may fit into the Park, and how residents and visitors may increase their visit(s) to Salisbury for these amenities. Residents will be encouraged to provide their feedback on the pilot project this Fall, with this feedback being considered amongst other metrics such as park visitors, business clients, and event/local business partnerships formed to evaluate the pilot. It is expected that the Highland Park consultations will be presented at the November Committee of the Whole meeting (November 24, 2025), at which point the public will also be permitted to speak on this pilot as part of the presentation(s) to Council.
As part of the process, the Town has applied for a Temporary Use Permit to permit the location of a container, which is not currently permitted under current zoning regulations in this area without the appropriate permit. This application has been submitted to the Planning Review and Adjustment Committee and is suspected to be finalized at the May meeting, prior to operations commencing in June.
During the Regular Council Meeting of April 14, a presentation was also made by Alaina Lockhart on behalf of “The Fox in the Park” regarding their Summer operations, which can be found online HERE.
The partnership will enable the Town to further market the Park, the trail, and our community to both residents and visitors. It will also serve as an opportunity to compliment Town events and feature new community-led events at the Park. This initiative is in alignment with the Town’s Strategic Plan, the Town’s Economic Development Strategy, and the Town’s Recreation Master Plan, which demonstrates the Town’s commitment to addressing the priorities in these plans.
More information on the Sussex Ale Works products that will be carried at The Fox in the Park are available online here: https://sussexaleworks.ca/.