Improving our Parks

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

Current projects

  • 2021-2022 Sports Park: - Phase 2 and 3, which includes:
    • A new fieldhouse with entry plaza and room for concessions,
    • A naturalized playground
    • 2 cricket batting cages
    • A new park maintenance building
    • New parking for 290 vehicles, and 2 buses, and room for EV expansion
    • Internal pathways that connect to the rest of Confederation Beach Park and the wider trail network.
  • 2021: Re-installation of the Gateway Windmills

Rendering of the proposed changes to Confederation Beach Park

Recent park upgrades

  • 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 1 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

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]