Beachfront Park Revitalization & Needs Assessment Study

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The community engagement period is now closed. Please stay tuned for future updates.

Pickering’s waterfront has been significantly impacted by major storms and annual high water levels. For these reasons, we need to re-imagine #BeachfrontPark.

While our main goal is to create a unique and inviting space for our residents, we need to ensure that it will be more resilient to extreme weather, and not an excessive financial burden to construct and maintain.

Location: Beachfront Park is located at the south end of Liverpool Road and extends from the Frenchman's Bay harbour entrance on the west, over to Alex Roberson Park on the east. It is made up of a barrier beach that separates Lake Ontario from Frenchman's Bay and the Hydro Marsh.

Why is this study being completed for this area?

  • Damage - the park sustained significant damage from the high-water levels and increased frequency of intense storm events in 2017 and 2019. The boardwalk, which formed part of the Waterfront Trail, was damaged beyond repair and was removed by City staff in the spring of 2020.
  • Anticipated increase in visitors - the City is anticipating significant population growth through downtown intensification and the development of the Seaton area over the next 20 years. The City Centre is expected to triple in growth with modest, yet steady growth in both Liverpool and Bay Ridges neighbourhoods.

What work has been done to this point?

The City retained The MBTW Group in late 2019 to complete the first phase in the Beachfront Park Rehabilitation & Needs Assessment Study. The MBTW team included Shoreplan Engineering Inc. to provide an updated wave uprush analysis, coastal engineering expertise in the interpretation of the impacts of the Toronto Region Conservation Authority’s (TRCA) regulations and to provide input into the development of feasible design options. This assignment was initiated to determine the path forward for park repairs and rehabilitation. Several design options have been prepared in consultation with City and TRCA staff. The proposed design options prepared for restoration and rehabilitation of Beachfront Park address the environmental conditions, existing and possible future park programming and servicing expectations and consider inclusive and barrier-free design principles.

What are the project timelines?

Public review of the two initial design options and subsequent final design option will take place during the summer months. The results and comments received from the two surveys will be summarized and one final preferred option will be prepared based on the feedback received. The project timeline has been designed to achieve a Council-endorsed design option in late 2021. Subject to future Capital Budget approvals and the availability of funding, the goal is to initiate the Detailed Design Process in 2022, with construction starting as early as 2023. Construction could take approximately 12 months, depending on the characteristics of the preferred design option, or be phased over multiple years.

Waterfront

The City of Pickering continues with the long-term planning and vision for the entire length of its waterfront - learn more and get involved!

The community engagement period is now closed. Please stay tuned for future updates.

Pickering’s waterfront has been significantly impacted by major storms and annual high water levels. For these reasons, we need to re-imagine #BeachfrontPark.

While our main goal is to create a unique and inviting space for our residents, we need to ensure that it will be more resilient to extreme weather, and not an excessive financial burden to construct and maintain.

Location: Beachfront Park is located at the south end of Liverpool Road and extends from the Frenchman's Bay harbour entrance on the west, over to Alex Roberson Park on the east. It is made up of a barrier beach that separates Lake Ontario from Frenchman's Bay and the Hydro Marsh.

Why is this study being completed for this area?

  • Damage - the park sustained significant damage from the high-water levels and increased frequency of intense storm events in 2017 and 2019. The boardwalk, which formed part of the Waterfront Trail, was damaged beyond repair and was removed by City staff in the spring of 2020.
  • Anticipated increase in visitors - the City is anticipating significant population growth through downtown intensification and the development of the Seaton area over the next 20 years. The City Centre is expected to triple in growth with modest, yet steady growth in both Liverpool and Bay Ridges neighbourhoods.

What work has been done to this point?

The City retained The MBTW Group in late 2019 to complete the first phase in the Beachfront Park Rehabilitation & Needs Assessment Study. The MBTW team included Shoreplan Engineering Inc. to provide an updated wave uprush analysis, coastal engineering expertise in the interpretation of the impacts of the Toronto Region Conservation Authority’s (TRCA) regulations and to provide input into the development of feasible design options. This assignment was initiated to determine the path forward for park repairs and rehabilitation. Several design options have been prepared in consultation with City and TRCA staff. The proposed design options prepared for restoration and rehabilitation of Beachfront Park address the environmental conditions, existing and possible future park programming and servicing expectations and consider inclusive and barrier-free design principles.

What are the project timelines?

Public review of the two initial design options and subsequent final design option will take place during the summer months. The results and comments received from the two surveys will be summarized and one final preferred option will be prepared based on the feedback received. The project timeline has been designed to achieve a Council-endorsed design option in late 2021. Subject to future Capital Budget approvals and the availability of funding, the goal is to initiate the Detailed Design Process in 2022, with construction starting as early as 2023. Construction could take approximately 12 months, depending on the characteristics of the preferred design option, or be phased over multiple years.

Waterfront

The City of Pickering continues with the long-term planning and vision for the entire length of its waterfront - learn more and get involved!

Page last updated: 03 Dec 2021, 09:01 AM