Grimsby’s Casablanca Beach Park project three-quarters finished

Work on the lakefront park at the north end of Casablanca Boulevard, between Hunter Road and the water treatment plant, began last July and has not been significantly slowed by weather or other matters.

“We really didn’t encounter any significant issues,” Sweeney said.

The west end of the park will include a four-metre-wide asphalt pathway next to Lake Ontario running the length of the park, portable water stations, seating, a bicycle rack, benches, trash receptacles, pathway lighting, landscaping including pollinator plants, open green space and other amenities.

In the middle of the park, features include benches, bicycle racks, a viewing terrace, staircase access to the beach, trees, information boards, water stations, pathway lighting and a sloped ramp and matting to enhance accessibility to the beach.

The east side of the park includes seating, a bicycle rack, a pavilion with washrooms and change rooms, playground areas with rubberized surfaces and equipment, terrace gardens, water stations, landscaping, open lawn for picnicking and pathway lighting.

“We tried not to over-program it,” Sweeney said. “We do want it to look like a park.”

Sweeney said the remaining work includes pavilion construction, landscaping and some pathway construction.

The park is slated to have 30 parking spaces, with more to come.

“We’re actively looking at where else do we put parking that makes the most sense,” Sweeney said. “For a long time, people have really wanted so see better access to the waterfront and I think that’s what this park delivers.”

Sweeney noted nearby development will grow the park in the future.

“The park will eventually continue further east as that development occurs,” she said.

An official opening event by the town is in the works.

See letstalkgrimsby.ca for more information about the project.