Sinkhole creating 'devastating loss' in Oxford, N.S.

An unpredictable sinkhole in a Nova Scotia parkthat has already swallowed up large trees and somepicnic tables is now at least 38 metres in diameter.

The crater began as a small indentation in Oxford andsuddenly opened up Aug. 20 when the ground under it collapsed. It grew another three metres overnight Wednesday.

Amy Tizzard, a geologist with the Nova Scotia Departmentof Energy and Mines,said it's too early to tell how big the sinkhole will get.

The department is trying to sort outwhat's going on underground by lookingthrough the top soil for caverns below using radar and other geophysical tests, she said.

Whatthey do know is that gypsum a very soft rockunderlies the area. Over a long period of time, the rock candissolve in groundwater or surface water, said Tizzard.

"So it's actually created a cave under this area which has collapsed to the surface and formed a sinkhole."

The sinkhole is located near the treeline at the edge of a large parking lot belonging to the Lions Club.

The pavementis cracking and the department has been keeping a close eye on the situation.

Tizzardsaid the crackshave slowed down in their development. However, she said a large spruce tree is onthe verge of going in the hole and it is hard to tell what might happen next.

"Sinkholes are unpredictable in their nature so we can't rule anything out at this point."

A large playground at the Oxford Lions Park was removed and put in storage Sunday afternoon after emergency management officials noticed cracks forming near the equipment, according to MayorTrishStewart.

Tizzardsaid it's too early to guess if any local businesses are at risk, but she is very concerned for the prospect of what could happen to the road, nearby gas stationand local businesses if the sinkhole continues to grow.

"Those are major businesses for the town of Oxford, and we wouldn't want to see anything affected outside of the Lions Park, which is a devastating loss to the community."

At this point, the children's playground and community centre are off limits.