The final draft of the Innisfil Beach Park Master Plan – a planning document that presents a 20-year vision for Innisfil’s major park on Lake Simcoe – will be presented to council on June 24.
The 50-page document and its appendices follow a year of public consultation, through a series of open houses and online surveys.
The master plan is being presented as a framework for future decision-making. As the opening statement notes, “This plan provides a co-ordinated planning rationale for future investments in the park, each of which would require further technical study in accordance with applicable provincial regulations.”
There are some changes from the original draft. Several concerns expressed during public consultation were addressed – eliminating a massive floating ‘boardwalk’ that would have surrounded the beach area, for example – but the document still calls for extensive ‘hardscaping’ and urban design, partnerships with privately-operated businesses, and institutional uses of parkland.
Innisfil Beach Park is approximately 70 acres in size, with 1050 metres of Lake Simcoe shoreline. It currently houses the “largest and busiest municipal boat launch” in Innisfil, as well as public beaches, four tennis courts, two ball diamonds, two soccer pitches, a basketball court on 25 Sideroad, volleyball courts near the north beaches, toboggan hill, concession stand, three pavilions, four washrooms, and six parking lots.
The town’s Lakeshore Water Treatment Plant, and the Alcona Fire Station are also located on lands carved out of the park, and there is a Park Operations building within the park, housing equipment, storage for picnic tables and waste receptacles.
The master plan re-envisions Innisfil Beach Park as four discrete areas, each serving a different function but linked by roads and pedestrian pathways – and linked to downtown Alcona, including the new MU3 (Mixed Use commercial-residential) proposed for Innisfil Beach Road and Lakelands Avenue.
Each area serves as a “purpose-built destination for broad groups of park users,” the plan states: the Beaches area; Port of Innisfil; Gateway area; and Neighbourhood area.
The Gateway area, along the southwestern edge of the park, would include extensive hardscaping - as well as the transformation of the southwest corner, at Innisfil Beach Road and 25 Sideroad, into Institutional Mixed-Use low-rise uses.
During the consultation, comment was almost unanimously opposed to the construction of buildings on parkland, whatever their use; but in the final draft, the master plan claims that by using the ground floor for community spaces and programming there is “no loss of parkland.”
Planner Gaelen Pierce suggested that the buildings could improve public safety by increasing use of the park – as well as providing a new stream of revenue for the town, arguments that he termed “compelling.”
Other features within the Gateway area include man-made hills, although the plan recognized that issues of drainage and stability would need to be investigated; and an extensive “hardscaped” (concrete/paved) area that would provide a new splash pad, and food services area.
To the east is the “Port of Innisfil Area.” The master plan proposes another hardscaped square with shoreline access, that would serve as an event centre for “relatively large-scale festivals.”
The plan calls for the eventual decommissioning of the boat launch – changing Innisfil Beach Park from a centre of departure, to a “lake-based destination.” However, until an alternate location can be found for the launch, the dock facilities would actually expand.
“The boat launch area will be converted, over time, into an attractive floating dock with approximately 100 slips,” staff wrote. “Such an expansion would occur over many years, and would depend upon the need for day trip boat docking.”
Other proposals for the Port of Innisfil area include a splashpad, toddler play park, outdoor fitness area, water-based rental facility, a new entrance to the park, and a distinctive landmark feature (“replica lighthouse” was mentioned) that could become the symbol of downtown Alcona.
And although public comments stated a preference for “smaller and less intrusive structures” to provide food options, the master plan proposes “municipally-owned, privately operated” restaurants within the park.
The Beaches Area, north of Bon Secours Creek, would see an expansion of the sandy beaches, and more signage, shade, seating, “food options” and barbecue areas.
An off-leash water access for dogs is suggested, but the master plan acknowledges that because of a “short limited supply of beach area and challenges associated with containing dogs at a shoreline” more study is needed.
The final zone in the park is the Neighbourhood Area, which includes much of the interior, away from Innisfil Beach Road and away from Lake Simcoe. This area would be developed for local residents, with amenities that include an off-leash dog park, community garden and outdoor food preparation area, new washroom facilities, and a landscaped outdoor area with fire pits for residential use in winter.
The existing operations building would be moved, and the space reconfigured as a youth drop-in space for indoor-outdoor programming, including a BMX bike track and skatepark. While the soccer pitches would be lost, the tennis courts would remain and be upgraded.
Park-wide, the plan recommends new or upgraded washrooms, food truck access throughout, new arts programming, and the planting of 1000 trees over the next 20 years.
New roads and trails are also proposed. A new road would creating a one-way route – accessing Innisfil Beach Park from Innisfil Beach Road and the new gateway entrance, and exiting onto 25 Sideroad, just north of the water treatment plant.
Stretches of two-way interior road would provide access to parking lots and drop-off points, while pedestrian trails would link the lots, amenities and downtown Alcona.
Parking lot enhancements would include landscaping, Low-Impact Development features – and a “transition from predominantly in-park parking to predominantly out-of-park parking.”
There were 34 recommendation in all. No costs were provided for any of the proposals.
Members of council were asked for their response to the ‘vision’ presented in the IBP Master Plan.
Coun. Donna Orsatti represents Ward 3, south of the Park, where residents have been impacted by traffic congestion and parking issues.
“I have read two drafts prior to the council report and have challenged/commented on many recommendations… While I can appreciate the time and effort of staff to create a vision for what they believe is best for our future to support local businesses, this is not the vision I have heard from residents in Ward 3,” she noted when contacted.
“In my view, all the amenities appear more like a resort attraction area,” she said. “We know our current park no longer meets our needs and changes need to occur, and while staff have looked at ways to enhance the park with cost-recovery options, there is a careful balance in cherishing and protecting what green space we have for future generations to enjoy.”
Coun. Orsatti said she looks forward to “a healthy council discussion on Wednesday,” but that she would be asking for a deferral of the vote, because “this is too important for our community to pass in one evening without giving residents an opportunity to read the report, listen to council, and have time to digest the information.”
“I must agree,” said Deputy Mayor Dan Davidson. “This is happening too fast – and with not enough time for residents to know the real impact.”
To see the full Innisfil Beach Park Master Plan report on Get Involved Innisfil, click here.
