Waterfront
The City of Oshawa's waterfront has a diverse character with strong ties to its residents. The name ‘Oshawa' comes from an aboriginal name that translates to “where we must leave our canoes”.
The waterfront includes extensive parkland and natural areas, and includes a significate harbour area. The waterfront gives you access to endless recreational opportunities with spectacular scenery, while also providing the City with opportunities for economic development.
Waterfront trail
Oshawa's section of the nearly 900-kilometre Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail follows the shores of Lake Ontario and is accessible to the public. It provides a great way for you to see what Oshawa's waterfront has to offer.
Natural areas
Some of the natural areas for you to discover include:
Second Marsh |
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Oshawa Second Marsh is a provincially significant wetland located in the southeast end of Oshawa. The 123-hectare wetland ecosystem drains an area of just over 100 square kilometres, including the Harmony Creek and its tributaries. It is accessible to the public, with bridges, lookout towers, and boardwalks throughout. Friends of Second Marsh is a non-profit environmental organization developed to protect, rehabilitate and highlight the native bio-diversity of Second Marsh and its watershed. |
McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve |
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MacLaughlin Bay directly abuts the Second Marsh to the east. Create in 1990, the McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve is owned and operated by General Motors, and is open to the public. There are plans to construct a Great Lakes Wetland Centre to heighten awareness of the natural world. |
Pumphouse Marsh Wildlife Reserve |
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The Pumphouse Marsh is a provincially significant wetland and barrier that students from the neighbouring schools use for field research. |
Gold Point Coastal Wetland |
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This Provincially significant wetland complex is located within the Lakefront West Park and provides habitat for fish, birds and other wildlife. |
Parks
There are many parks with great views along Oshawa's waterfront, including:
Lakefront West Park |
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Lakefront West Park is a City level park and the western most park along the waterfront. The park has 8 slo-pitch diamonds and is adjacent to the Waterfront Trail. |
Stone Street Park |
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This park shares open space with the adjacent elementary and secondary schools as well as providing a direct link to the South Oshawa Community Centre and the Waterfront Trail. |
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Lakeview and Lakewoods Parks |
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Lakeview Park and Lakewoods Park are not particularly distinguishable from one another and Lakewoods is used primarily as a trail connection. Lakeview Park is likely the most actively used among all of Oshawa's Waterfront Parks and provides a very broad range of activities that are typically of a large City level park. Additionally there is a Lakeview Park Beach and Oshawa Community Museum, as well as the Jubilee Pavilion that serves as a banquet hall and public meeting facility in the park. Users can also access the Waterfront Trail and the Joseph Kolodzie Oshawa Creek Bike Path. |
Oshawa Waterfront Master Plan
In consultation with the public and businesses, the City of Oshawa has prepared a Draft Master Plan for the Oshawa Waterfront. The Study includes a background review, analysis, preparation and evaluation of options.