Background

On September 7, 2021, a severe storm caused significant damage to North Shore Park. This included the loss of hundreds of trees, turf damage from uprooted stumps, and damage to pathways and harbour docks. Initial clean-up and hazard tree removal has taken place, but further work was put on hold to allow for comprehensive planning of all aspects of the park.

In the past, the Town has used the Master Planning approach for initiatives such as the Recreation Master Plan (2016) and the Parks and Trails Master Plan (2004). Generally, the scope of these plans are town-wide, but a Park Master Plan has a very targeted scope for a specific park. The Master Planning approach is important for the following reasons. The plan:

  1. Guides the Town’s multi-year plan for park investment.
  2. Ensures proposed features, amenities and service are relevant to current and future desires of the community.
  3. Avoids “piecemeal” approach to planning and implementation.
  4. Creates a community vision for short-term and long-term park investment.

To ensure a coordinated approach to the 2021 storm recovery and future park improvements, the Masterplan for North Shore Park was advanced. The Master Plan represents a conceptual plan for the park and identifies a multi-year approach to implementation. In the fall of 2023 Landscape Planning Ltd. was retained to prepare the Master Plan for North Shore Park.

Individual Park Master Plans by design are meant to be conceptual and visionary with a 10-year time horizon. This timeline allows the park development to be coordinated and avoids a piecemeal approach. Furthermore, not every element of the plan will necessarily be implemented, there is flexibility in the timing of phases and priorities can be adjusted through the Town’s Annual Business planning. This approach also allows for exploration of partnership and sponsorship opportunities from various sources. The exact implementation is dictated by Council priorities and budget allocations and the details are finalized in the detailed design stage.

  • In July 2022, a public engagement session was held in the park to obtain initial input on how to envision the future of the park.
  • In June 2023, a proposal to incorporate a train into the master plan was not supported by Council after a public survey was completed and reviewed.
  • Two in-person public engagement sessions were held on Thursday November 30th, 2023 at the Southampton Town Hall (2-4pm) and the Rotary Hall, Port Elgin (5-7pm).
  • In-person participants and community members were also invited to participate in an online survey. A total of 232 responses were collected and analyzed.
  • Background reports and email correspondence were reviewed to ensure that all public feedback was taken into account in the development of the North Shore Park Master Plan.

The Master Plan

A conceptual North Shore Park Master Plan has been prepared based on public input and consultation. This includes scaled drawings of the park with the recommended amenities using graphics and photos to represent the concepts. By design, it is general in nature. Master plans are followed by a detailed designs that will refine the features, and incorporate detailed site survey information and further refinement.

Designs for Phase 1 are now being developed. Follow this project page for updates.

Master Plan Features

A satellite image of North Shore Park with the master plan design layered on top.

  • Phase 1

    Phase one items are indicated by a blue hotspot.

  • Phase 2

    Phase two items are indicated by a orange hotspot.

  • Planting areas

    Planting areas are indicated by a green hotspot.

  • Existing facilities

    Existing facilities are indicated by a white hotspot.

Key Highlights

  • Restoration and Landscaping

    During public engagement, the restoration of damaged trees and landscaping was identified as a high priority. In response, a sample tree, shrub, and pollinator-friendly planting plan has been prepared in addition to the Master Plan.

    Sample Planting Plan 

  • Pedestrian & Vehicle Flow

    A key component of this master plan was to address parking and pedestrian/vehicle flow. The current entrance to the harbour parking lot has been identified as an unsafe location for vehicles and pedestrians using the popular walking trail. This plan moves the entrance to provide a direct and safe entrance to the parking lot, freeing up space for the walking trail and passive green space.

  • Parking

    The harbour parking lot will be better organized to allow for more efficient parking and improved access to the harbour launch ramp. The main parking lot uses the same footprint and there is an option to expand one area for small vehicles on the south-east corner.

    Approximately, 48 on-road parking spaces will be designated along McVicar St and Stevens St during Phase 1 & 2.

  • New Relocated Playground

    The new playground space will be co-located adjacent to the existing splashpad. The playground was identified as a key priority during public engagement.

  • Additional Seating Opportunities

    Additional seating was identified as a key priority during public engagement. A mix of benches, picnic tables and gathering tables will be placed throughout the park, offering seating options to meet everyone's needs. Three shoreline seating areas will provide panoramic Lake Huron views.

  • Trails and Green Space

    A meandering limestone trail and an asphalt multi-purpose trail will provide users with access to park amenities as well as a beautiful place to get active outdoors. Open green space can be used to lounge, picnic, do yoga, or toss a frisbee.