Improving our Parks

Confederation Beach Park

Confederation Beach Park is a beautiful 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. The City of Hamilton owns the park, while the Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) manages the property through an agreement that has been in place since 1980. The HCA is a key partner in the park operations.

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 is to construct a Sports Park in the former campground near Grays Road. This sports park, to be built in phases, will eventually be home to:

  • 1 Regulation cricket pitch
  • 1 multi-use soccer field
  • 12 regulation pickleball courts
  • a nature-themed play area
  • a new field house with concessions
  • 2 cricket batting cages
  • a new parking area for 290 vehicles, including 2 buses.

Other implementation strategy goals include reviewing options for Wild Waterworks, improving general trail conditions and connectivity within the park, enhancing vehicular access at Centennial Parkway, and further establishing private business leasing opportunities.

Visiting the park

Confederation Beach Park is accessible by HSR, 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 SoBi bicycle station is also conveniently located near Hutch’s on the Beach. The Park's proximity to and visibility from the QEW, combined with the large population in the Golden Horseshoe, provides added potential for tourism and increased park use.

The park has quality recreational options including:

  • Sandbox Sports (Beach Volleyball)
  • 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
  • Sandbox Beach Bar
  • The Lakeview (wedding facility)
  • Picnic areas and pavilions
  • Snack carts

Current projects

Sports Park Development (to be located in the former campgrounds)

  • 2020: Construction of Phase One (beginning in June), to include:
    • Regulation cricket field
    • Multi-use soccer field
    • 12 pickle ball courts
    • East parking lot

Next steps (subject to change):

  • 2020: Design, and tender, and construction of roadway amendments for Sports Park access on North Service Road
  • 2020: Detailed design of new fieldhouse, entry plaza, cricket batting cages, park maintenance building, naturalized playground, paved parking lot, and internal pathways
  • 2020: Re-installation of the Gateway Windmills
  • 2020-2022: Construction of above amenities pending funding approval

Rendering of the proposed changes to Confederation Beach Park

Recent park upgrades

  • 2019: Tender and award of the Sports Park Development Phase One
  • 2018: Preliminary planning underway to develop a strategy for the future replacement, growth and possible changes for Wild Waterworks
  • 2017: General site demolition and removals
  • 2017: Phase 1 wayfinding and signage program complete (vehicular wayfinding, pedestrian wayfinding along the Beach Trail, zone markers, and regulatory signs)
  • 2017: Construction of three new secondary gateway markers
  • 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]