Beachfront Park Revitalization

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Construction for Beachfront Park Master Plan Phase 1 began in September 2024, and is expected to be complete by summer 2025.

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.

Description of work: Work in this area includes the construction of an elevated walkway and cycling route, viewing platforms overlooking Hydro Marsh, barrier free access ramps from the elevated structure to the beach, site lighting and furniture, and additional Lake Ontario shoreline protection work from the existing water play area to the west side of Millennium Square. Work also includes the construction of a gravel parking lot in Alex Robertson Park which will initially act as the construction staging area for the Beachfront Park work.

Read Report to Council ENG 15-24(External link) for details.

View Site Signage for a summary of work.

Project Background

With the extremely high lake water levels and wave action of 2017 and 2019, much of Pickering’s waterfront sustained significant damage. The boardwalk in Beachfront Park, which formed part of the Waterfront Trail, was damaged beyond repair and was removed by City Public Works staff.

The MBTW Group in association with Shoreplan Engineering were retained in late 2019 to complete a Beachfront Park Rehabilitation & Needs Assessment Study.

Following an in-depth study of the shoreline, consultation with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, and public engagement process that ran from June to September 2021, concept plans were prepared and several options were presented back to the public and Council.

A Public Engagement Summary Report along with plans of the Final Preferred Design Option were presented to Council at the December 6, 2021 Executive Committee Meeting. The Final Preferred Design Option that includes an elevated boardwalk structure from Millennium Square to Alex Robertson Park was presented and endorsed by Council as the Beachfront Park Master Plan at the Council meeting of December 13, 2021 (Resolution #745/21).

Council provided further approval to retain The MBTW Group, for Consulting and Professional Services for the preparation of detailed design drawings and tender specifications for the implementation of the Beachfront Park Master Plan at the Council meeting of May 24, 2022 (Resolution #910/22).

Study Area

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.

Why was the study 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.

Construction for Beachfront Park Master Plan Phase 1 began in September 2024, and is expected to be complete by summer 2025.

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.

Description of work: Work in this area includes the construction of an elevated walkway and cycling route, viewing platforms overlooking Hydro Marsh, barrier free access ramps from the elevated structure to the beach, site lighting and furniture, and additional Lake Ontario shoreline protection work from the existing water play area to the west side of Millennium Square. Work also includes the construction of a gravel parking lot in Alex Robertson Park which will initially act as the construction staging area for the Beachfront Park work.

Read Report to Council ENG 15-24(External link) for details.

View Site Signage for a summary of work.

Project Background

With the extremely high lake water levels and wave action of 2017 and 2019, much of Pickering’s waterfront sustained significant damage. The boardwalk in Beachfront Park, which formed part of the Waterfront Trail, was damaged beyond repair and was removed by City Public Works staff.

The MBTW Group in association with Shoreplan Engineering were retained in late 2019 to complete a Beachfront Park Rehabilitation & Needs Assessment Study.

Following an in-depth study of the shoreline, consultation with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, and public engagement process that ran from June to September 2021, concept plans were prepared and several options were presented back to the public and Council.

A Public Engagement Summary Report along with plans of the Final Preferred Design Option were presented to Council at the December 6, 2021 Executive Committee Meeting. The Final Preferred Design Option that includes an elevated boardwalk structure from Millennium Square to Alex Robertson Park was presented and endorsed by Council as the Beachfront Park Master Plan at the Council meeting of December 13, 2021 (Resolution #745/21).

Council provided further approval to retain The MBTW Group, for Consulting and Professional Services for the preparation of detailed design drawings and tender specifications for the implementation of the Beachfront Park Master Plan at the Council meeting of May 24, 2022 (Resolution #910/22).

Study Area

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.

Why was the study 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.
  • Virtual Public Meeting #2

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    27 Aug 2021


  • Virtual Public Meeting #1

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    10 Jun 2021


Page last updated: 24 Oct 2024, 12:34 PM