Waterfront Parks Master Plan

Images of waterfront

The Town of Georgina is completing the Waterfront Parks Master Plan to create a vision and framework to provide direction for the operation and management of Georgina’s waterfront parks. The plan is being done in three parts over four years, beginning in 2020. 

Public engagement

Public engagement is an important part of the Waterfront Parks Master Plan. Keep an eye on this page for more information about how to provide your feedback. 

Server in a food truck handing food out of the window with the text Waterfront Parks Vendor Survey

Implementing a vendor program at the waterfront parks is being considered as part of phase 3. Council and Town staff received valuable input on the potential development of a vendor program in September 2023.  Results from the survey will be provided to Council in an upcoming staff report.

Part 1 public engagement

Previous online survey

An online survey was provided from Jan. 5, 2021 to Feb. 16, 2021, to receive feedback regarding the emerging concepts that were presented at the November 2020 virtual meetings. 1,555 people participated in the survey and the results have been summarized in What we Heard Report #3.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate in the online survey.

Previous virtual meetings

The Planning Partnership organized a series of virtual meetings to discuss each park zone.
You can view and listen to each meeting below. 

What we heard Report #2

What we heard Report #1

Oct. 15, 2020 - Recordings of meetings
Holmes Point Park
Mossington Wharf and the Black River to Sutton
Jackson's Point Harbour Marina, Malone Wharf and Bonnie Park 
Willow Beach Park

Oct. 14, 2020 - Recordings of meetings 

Willow Beach Park 
Franklin Beach Conservation Area
De La Salle Beach Park
Jackson’s Point Harbour Marina, Malone Wharf and Bonnie Park

To provide comments or ask questions, email waterfrontplan@georgina.ca.

Jackson’s Point Harbour slip holders’ virtual meeting – Aug. 27, 2020

Council reports and presentations

March 31, 2021 - Council report
March 31, 2021 - Council presentation
Jan. 22, 2020 - Council report
Dec. 2, 2019 - Request for Proposal 

Virtual consultation: 

Slideshow presentation from Sept. 8, 2021 virtual presentation
Afternoon meeting recording
Evening meeting recording

Part 2 public engagement

Session recordings

View the recordings of the Public Engagement Sessions:

Presentations

Study areas

Parts 1 and 2 of the study will detail the current analysis, trends, recent development growth and current economic conditions while showing creativity and innovation with long-term financial and environmental sustainability. The report will include enhanced opportunities and strategies for the management and operation of the waterfront parks. Concept designs will be provided for the possible expansion of park facilities in these key areas:

Part 1

Waterfront Parks Master Plan - Part 1 Final Report.

  • Willow Beach Park
  • Franklin Beach Conservation Area
  • De La Salle Beach Park
  • Jackson’s Point Harbour Marina
  • Malone Wharf
  • Bonnie Park
  • Holmes Point Park
  • Mossington Wharf
  • Black River

Part 2

  • Adeline Park
  • Leash Free Dog Park Area (West Park)
  • Young’s Harbour Park
  • Claredon Beach Park
  • Rayners Wharf
  • North Gwillimbury Park
  • Maskinonge River
  • Shoreline from Park Road to Thorah Park Boulevard
  • Pefferlaw River

Part 2 Public Consultation

Part 3

Part 3 will provide recommendations on the following:

  • Future economic development opportunities
  • Developing business opportunities and partnerships
  • Sustainable management
  • Operational practices
  • Parking by-law and strategy
  • Legislative, policy and by-law updates
  • Purchase and sale of lands and/or assets
  • A 10-year implementation strategy

Access to the waterfront within the Town of Georgina is a key issue to residents and visitors. A Waterfront Parks Master Plan will provide valuable information and data analysis for Town-owned waterfront assets including all wharves, piers, beaches, parks, road ends, shorelines, road allowances, mouths of rivers and wetlands adjacent to the waterfront.

Maps

Documents

Council reports

July 12, 2023 - Council report
May 17, 2023 - Council report
March 31, 2021 - Council report
Jan. 22, 2020 - Council report

Presentations

July 12, 2023 - Council presentation
May 17, 2023 - Council presentation
Nov. 29, 2022 session presentations - Area 1
Nov. 29, 2022 session presentations - Area 2
Nov. 29, 2022 session presentations - Area 3
Nov. 29, 2022 session presentations - Area 4
March 31, 2021 - Council presentation
Slideshow presentation from Sept. 8, 2021 virtual meeting

Frequently asked questions

Why are we doing a Waterfront Parks Master Plan?

  • There is a need for a sustainable waterfront strategy and action plan to manage the waterfront and address park overcrowding, vehicular and pedestrian access, parking and other infrastructure requirements.
  • The Town of Georgina Leisure Services Master Plan 2004 identified access to waterfront areas as a key issue of importance to the residents of Georgina. The report indicates 40 per cent of the population felt “waterfront parks are not meeting their needs and identified such factors as overcrowded beaches, poor access and lack of parking. There are also varying opinion on the balance between serving local residents and the seasonal populations."
  • The 2014 Recreation Facility Needs Study identified the importance of Lake Simcoe to the Town of Georgina and the need to enhance and manage this important asset and recommended a Waterfront Parkland Strategy be done.
  • Check out the advertorial.

What waterfront areas will be included in the study?

  • All waterfront lands along the entire Town of Georgina shoreline will be included in the study. This includes wharves, piers, beaches, parks, road ends, shorelines, road allowances, mouths of rivers and wetlands, including Town-owned and privately owned properties. There will be a focus on the following key locations, including conceptual designs:
    • Willow Beach Park
    • Franklin Beach Conservation Area
    • De La Salle Beach Park
    • Jackson’s Point Harbour Marina
    • Malone Wharf
    • Bonnie Park
    • Holmes Point Park
    • Mossington Wharf
    • Black River from the lake to High Street
    • Adeline Park
    • Leash Free Dog Park Area (West Park)
    • Young’s Harbour Park
    • Claredon Beach Park
    • Rayners Wharf
    • North Gwillimbury Park
    • Maskinonge River from the lake to Woodbine Avenue
    • Shoreline from Park Road to Thorah Park Boulevard
    • Pefferlaw River from the lake to the dam

Why is the Town doing another study for the Jackson’s Point Harbour?

  • The Waterfront Parks Master Plan will build on the earlier work completed on the Jackson’s Point Harbour, and look at it in the context of the entire Town of Georgina waterfront and Lake Simcoe catchment area.
  • The study will explore enhancements to the marina to become an economic and tourism destination for residents and visitors to the Town.
  • A review and assessment will be conducted of the marina’s business potential based on a market scan of other public, private and public/private marina facilities and operations.

What is the timing and process of the study?

  • The Waterfront Parks Master Plan, has been divided into three parts. Each part will take one year to complete. The final study report is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2022.
  • Each part of the study will include public input sessions.
  • Each completed part of the study will be presented to Council for approval.

Who will be completing the study?

  • The study will be overseen by the Town of Georgina Parks Division, with input from many other Town departments.
  • Contact the Town project manager for more information:
  • The Town has retained the services of the Planning Partnership (TPP) to act as the lead consultant for the study. TPP is a firm of skilled planning and design professionals.
  • TPP will be supported by a sub-consulting team which includes:
    • PLAN B Natural Heritage, environmental consulting
    • Baird, coastal engineering
    • TOURISTICS, tourism management consulting
    • SCS Consulting Group, municipal engineering

Contact Us

26557 Civic Centre Rd,

Keswick, ON  L4P 3G1

T: 905-476-4301 / 705-437-2210

F: 905-476-8100

info@georgina.ca

Hours of Operation

Monday to Friday

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.