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Park Vision Statement
The Casablanca Waterfront Park is a magical place. It is the Town of Grimsby's premier waterfront space and spans the waterfront area from Hunter Road to the Water Treatment Plant. The site is linear along the shoreline, stretching approximately 1km from East to West, and offers stunning views of Lake Ontario. The surrounding area is becoming an upscale, desired location. Over the past five years has seen steady growth with several high-density projects being completed and an increase in population.
The waterfront park design was explored through the West End Waterfront Trail Design Study and Master Plan and Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan (2019). As a result, the creation of the new Casablanca Waterfront Park at the terminus of Casablanca Boulevard at Lake Ontario now implements components of that Council endorsed West End Waterfront Trail Design Study and Master Plan (2014) and builds upon the goals and direction of the Winston Road Neighbourhood Secondary Plan (2016). Furthermore, it serves to enhance the broader Grimsby Go Transit Secondary Plan area (2018).
The proposed design for Casablanca Waterfront Park was developed around the vision to transform and promote the park as a unique waterfront destination in Grimsby and the surrounding region. This will be achieved by strengthening placemaking qualities, emphasizing connectivity, and improving accessibility along the waterfront. Casablanca Waterfront Park is a dynamic park that offers visitors a diverse range of experiences with spectacular views of Lake Ontario.
Proposed landscape zones are designated by different uses and coordinated with circulation to address pedestrian and bicycle flows and expand the public realm at critical interfaces. As the Town and surrounding areas continue to develop and grow, the Casablanca Waterfront Park project will be completed in several phases to maintain community access to the waterfront pathway as much as possible throughout the process.
The Park is programmed to comprise a combination of active and passive recreation areas. Active recreation areas include gathering plazas, playgrounds, picnic areas, beaches, and open lawns for flexible use (food trucks, concerts, pop-up market, etc.), all connected by multi-use pathways. Undeveloped spaces will be retained and enhanced for the health and well-being of the public. Naturalized areas will be preserved for the wildlife and the environment. The quality of the environment and "naturalness" of the park will be the focus of the passive recreational experience.
A great park cannot happen without people. People are the place, and the Casablanca Waterfront Park design includes five key design qualities: accessibility, comfort and image, activity engagement, nature and environment, and sociability. The synergies of park, waterfront and recreation options will enhance the experience of all users enabling them to choose from a greater range of activities.
The Park space will also serve as the heart of the community by connecting neighborhoods together and encouraging central points where people can interact and participate in the public realm. The Park will also highlight Grimsby's cultural identity through educational opportunities, history, architecture, and public art installations. This is a crucial factor for creating a sense of place that can withstand the test of time. The Casablanca Waterfront Park is the foundation of the neighbourhood and can spur economic growth and serve as catalysts for additional development.
Below we have broken down the phases into more details and each heading is linked to a pdf. Click the heading to take you to a new tab where you can zoom in on the drawing closer.
Phase One Concept Design:
PHASE ONE – PLACE POLONAISE PARK (WEST END)
Phase One serves as a gateway into the west end of the park. In phase one, the waterfront trail will remain the same along the lake edge except for a small area in the center of the phase. The trail in this center area will be realigned around a gathering node to improve pedestrian safety and water views. In addition, new tree plantings will be added strategically to the space to ensure no sightlines to the waterfront are blocked from adjacent residential properties. The west end will also contain a natural playground feature, enhanced park entry plaza, and an improved beach environment along the main trail.
Additional key design elements in Phase One include:
- Main 4.0m asphalt pathway adjacent to the lake
- Western park entry plaza with seating, site furnishings (bike rack, trash receptacles), park gateway signage, community info boards, and decorative paving
- Natural playground spaces with wood, stone, and natural creative elements
- Flexible programmable event spaces (food trucks, concerts, festivals, etc.)
- Boardwalk surface treatments to soften the transition between amenity spaces
- Open lawn areas
- Urban beach improvements with permanent shade umbrellas
- Maintain existing accessible waterfront access with added accessible beach mat
- All trails, grading, seating areas, signage will be fully accessible and AODA compliant
- Site furnishings, including benches, bike racks, a bike repair station, trash receptacles, swing benches, etc.
- Shade structures (with solid roof) at key seating nodes
- Power pedestals to allow special event power access, charging, wifi, etc.)
- Potable water stations
- Improved entry to waterfront spaces
- Landscape plantings and horticultural improvements (while maintaining views to the lake from surrounding residential properties)
- Pollinator plantings and additional ecological enhancements
- Interpretive signage at key locations
- Wayfinding and directional signage
- Pathway lighting and lighting enhancements where required (to improve health, wellness, and public safety)
Phase Two Concept Design:
Phase Two - Vision Board of Key Elements:
PHASE TWO – CASABLANCA BEACH PARK (CENTRAL)
Phase Two of the Casablanca Waterfront Park improvements is contained between Phase 1 and Phase 3, offering access from the east and west. In addition, there is secondary park access located immediately north of Casablanca Boulevard. In this location, new park entries will be located beside the private residential driveway to restrict public access to this property and ensure the safety of all park users. This central park node will serve as picnicking spaces (after woodlot clean-up and ecological restoration) and recreational access to the water. Improved slope grading and amenities will ensure water access for all users of all abilities. The existing pedestrian bridge and creek spaces will remain.
Additional key design elements in Phase Two include:
- Main 4.0m asphalt pathway adjacent to the lake
- Central park access north of Casablanca Boulevard separated from private residential driveway access (resolution of vehicular conflicts near park/ trail entrance)
- Maintain pedestrian bridge and creek outlet
- Central viewing terrace, with seating, site furnishings (bike rack, trash receptacles), park gateway signage, community info boards, tree plantings, and decorative paving
- Clearing of brush and debris to create a picnic/barbecue area and permeable views from the terminus of Casablanca Boulevard
- Passive, natural armourstone seating in slope overlooking the beach
- Accessible beach mat at the bottom of sloped ramp access to the beach
- A new staircase to beach access
- All trails, grading, seating areas, signage will be fully accessible and AODA compliant
- Site furnishings, including benches, bike racks, a bike repair station, trash receptacles, swing benches, etc.
- Power pedestals to allow special event power access, charging, wifi, etc.)
- Potable water stations
- Landscape plantings and horticultural improvements
- Informal natural surface trails to experience nature and access to the waterfront and picnic spaces
- Pollinator plantings and additional ecological enhancements
- Opportunities for public art
- Interpretive signage at key locations
- Wayfinding and directional signage
- Pathway lighting and lighting enhancements where required (to improve health, wellness, and public safety)
Phase Three Concept Design:
Phase Three - Vision Board of Key Elements:
PHASE THREE – CASABLANCA BEACH PARK (EAST END)
Phase Three serves as a gateway into the park's east end, containing a new washroom pavilion and play spaces. The east end will have unique play spaces, seating, improved slope grading, and water and beach areas access. This phase will also complement and provide access to future developments to the east, ensuring positive connectivity between waterfront spaces. An enhanced park entry plaza and gateway will frame access to the area and set the tone for an inclusive and welcoming waterfront space for all.
Additional key design elements in Phase Three include:
- Main 4.0m asphalt pathway through park space. The far east end of the trail will be separate from the main plaza spaces to ensure cycling traffic is kept distinct from other pedestrian traffic.
- Eastern park entry plaza with seating, site furnishings (bike rack, trash receptacles), park gateway signage, community info boards, and decorative paving
- Permanent washroom facilities, with integrated pavilion spaces (seating, stage, etc.). Washroom facility will consider sustainable initiatives (green roof, energy-efficient lighting, eco-friendly fixtures, skylights for natural light, etc.)
- Enhanced community playground spaces with shade elements, rubberized surfacing, and accessible elements
- Flexible programmable event spaces (food trucks, concerts, festivals, etc.)
- Open lawn areas for picnicking
- Terraced gardens with accessible waterfront access with added accessible beach mat
- All trails, grading, seating areas, signage will be fully accessible and AODA compliant
- Site furnishings, including benches, bike racks, a bike repair station, trash receptacles, swing benches, etc.
- Power pedestals to allow special event power access, charging, wifi, etc.)
- Potable water stations
- Improved entry to waterfront spaces
- Landscape plantings and horticultural improvements
- Informal natural surface trails to experience nature and access to the waterfront
- Pollinator plantings and additional ecological enhancements
- Opportunities for public art
- Interpretive signage at key locations
- Wayfinding and directional signage
- Pathway lighting and lighting enhancements where required (to improve health, wellness, and public safety)
