The Port Perry waterfront area, geographically located along the eastern edge of Port Perry, along with the preservation and adaptive reuse of the Port Perry Grain Elevator (Old Mill) remain as strategic initiatives for the Township. The future of this area requires attention due to its importance in terms of tourism, culture, recreation and economic development.
An extensive public consultation campaign called #MyWaterfront launched earlier in 2020 to gain public feedback and ideas for future redevelopment of the lands. The area of study includes the waterfront lands that stretch from the boat launch in the north, along the waterfront of the Library, the Marina, the Old Mill, Palmer Park around to lands located behind the business area along Highway 7A (across from Tim Horton's and behind Vos' Independent).
Through phase one public consultation the Township received many wonderful ideas and suggestions for the lands along the waterfront. Based on all of the feedback, the Township released 3 options for the waterfront in the spring of 2020 and a survey to gather public input on the various elements proposed in each of the options as part of phase two of the project. An emerging preferred plan was released in the fall of 2020 for further public consultation.
On March 29, 2021, Council endorsed the Waterfront Action Plan, which includes some of the following elements:
- washroom facilities
- pickleball courts
- a new building for the marina, seniors, community uses and public washrooms
- maintain the existing docks and expand to the north
- improvements to the boat launch
- relocation of the northern baseball diamond to facilitate a youth focused zone (skateboard, basketball)
- landscaped terraces, natural seating and public art
- providing a connected trail system
