Improving our Parks

Confederation Beach Park

Construction Update

With phase one of the Sports Park completed in 2020, construction on phase two has begun in spring 2022, which includes:

  • A new fieldhouse with entry plaza and room for concessions,
  • A naturalized playground
  • Two cricket batting cages
  • A new park maintenance building
  • New parking for 290 vehicles, two buses, and room for EV expansion
  • Internal pathways that connect to the rest of Confederation Beach Park and the wider trail network

Phase two of this project is expected to be completed in November, 2022.

In order to ensure safety throughout the active construction site, the pickleball court will be closed for the season, and is expected to reopen for the 2023 season.

The City thanks residents for their patience and understanding while we complete these improvements. During this time, community members are welcome to use some of the other courts available around the city, which can be located using our ParkFinder map. 

Rendering of the proposed changes to Confederation Beach Park

 

Confederation Beach Park is a 93-hectare (228-acre) city-wide park, located along the Lake Ontario waterfront between the Hamilton Beach Strip and Grays Road in Stoney Creek. The park offers a variety of all-ages recreation and relaxation opportunities, numerous dining and entertainment options, and several significant woodlots and naturalized areas to explore. There is even a memorial to the sailors lost in offshore shipwrecks, if you know where to look…

While the City of Hamilton owns the park, the  Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) manages most of the property through an agreement that in place since 1980, making the HCA a key partner in the park’s operation.

Background

Since opening in the early 1960s, Confederation Beach Park (then called Confederation Park) has been an important recreation and tourism destination in Hamilton and surrounding area. Given its age, certain elements of the park are now in need of repair or replacement.

In 2011, the HCA submitted the Confederation Park Master Plan Review & Update (August 2010) to the City, requesting a capital program to fund necessary upgrades, life-cycle replacements, and new park features. To address these requests, the City is now working to prioritize and implement short and long-term goals as part of the Confederation Beach Park Implementation strategy, as outlined in Report PW11005d.

One of the short-term goals from this report was to construct a Sports Park in the former campground near Grays Road (see below for more information on the Sports Park).

The City of Hamilton is also currently reviewing options for Wild Waterworks, improving general trail conditions and connectivity within the park, park access from Centennial Parkway, and further establishing private business leasing opportunities.

Visiting the park

Confederation Beach Park is accessible by public transit, bicycle, car, or on foot. The 8 km multi-use Hamilton Beach Trail that runs through the park is part of the provincial Waterfront Trail, which extends from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Quebec.

The Hamilton Beach Trail also connects to the Red Hill Valley Trail system (via the QEW Pedestrian Bridge), and other municipal, regional, and provincial trail routes beyond.

A Hamilton Bike Share station is also conveniently located near Hutch’s on the Beach. 

Parking lots can be found near the following:

  • Shipwreck-themed playground
  • Lakeland Centre and Pool
  • Lakeland Kartway
  • Outdoor Ball Hockey League

Dining options at the park include:

  • Barangas on the Beach
  • Hutch’s on the Beach
  • The Lakeview (wedding facility)
  • Snack carts

Recent park upgrades

  • 2022: Phase two of the Sports Park construction begins, including a new field house, naturalized playground, cricket batting cages, park maintenance building, additional parking and new pathways.
  • 2020: Phase one of the Sports Park completed, including cricket field, pickleball courts, multi-use soccer field and upgrades to North Service Road.
  • 2020: Preliminary Master Plan report completed, outlining options for Wild Waterworks
  • 2017: Phase one wayfinding and signage program completed, including vehicular wayfinding pedestrian wayfinding along the Beach Trail, zone markers, and regulatory signage
  • 2017: Construction of three new park “gateway” entry features and signage
  • 2016: Council approved name change to Confederation Beach Park
  • 2015: Construction of Stoney Creek Pond Trail and Observation Deck

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Site servicing
  • sports fields and courts
  • half of new parking area
  • new building envelopes
  • completion of new fieldhouse, parks maintenance, and washroom building
  • new entry plaza
  • new playground
  • cricket batting cages
  • picnic shelters
  • connective trails
  • other half of parking lot
  • tree plantings

No, the park is still open for public use. The only impacts are located at the park’s eastern edge (by Grays Road) as a result of the sports park construction.

Completion of the sports park is scheduled for November 2022

Documents

Contact us

If you have any questions or wish to submit a comment, please contact:

Jonathan Michael, OALA, CSLA
Landscape Architect
Phone: 905-546-2424 ext. 4621
Email: [email protected]