With the Victoria Day long weekend around the corner, it’s sure to be busy in the Sunshine City.
While construction is underway in the downtown waterfront area, parks and businesses are open. There is limited parking available at the Dr. Seymour Conservatory parking lot at Couchiching Beach Park to access the parks by vehicle; however, parking is available within walking distance to the parks and the City’s new Sunshine Shuttle is available from Municipal Parking Lot 6 to Couchiching Beach Park starting on Saturday, May 20.
“The Victoria Day long weekend is the unofficial kick-off to summer in Orillia and there are plenty of great things to see and do for residents and visitors alike,” said Mayor Don McIsaac. “Our downtown waterfront is going through revitalization projects this year, but rest assured that our parks are still open for everyone to enjoy. We encourage you to access the downtown waterfront area by using active transportation methods or taking the Sunshine Shuttle.”
Currently, as part of construction, Centennial Drive remains closed between Mississaga Street East and Canice Street. Canice Street is closed between Centennial Drive and Jarvis Street. Tecumseth Street is closed between Parkview Avenue and Centennial Drive and Brant Street is closed at Parkview Avenue. The road closures affect local vehicle and pedestrian access to the Centennial Park Boat Launch parking lot, Orillia Waterfront Centre parking lot, Dr. Seymour Conservatory parking lot and Terry Fox Circle.
Pedestrian access to the parks is available at Jarvis Street and Mississaga Street East (see map for road closures and access points).
As a result of construction, the downtown boat launch located at Centennial Park is currently unavailable; alternatively, boaters can use the Collins Drive Boat Launch located at 425 Collins Dr. Designated boat trailer parking is available on Collins Drive, McIsaac Drive and Rodger Road. Orillia residents, and those who pay taxes directly to the City, can park their boat trailer for free by displaying a Resident Boat Trailer Parking Permit. For those without a Resident Boat Trailer Parking Permit, the cost to park boat trailers is $10 per hour up to a maximum of $50 per day. There is no additional fee to use the launch ramps. To apply for a parking permit, visit orillia.ca/parking.
The Sunshine Shuttle will operate with a 20-minute cycle during peak waterfront usage times. The hours for the Victoria Day weekend are as follows:
Saturday, May 20: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, May 21: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Monday, May 22: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Pick up will be from Municipal Parking Lot 6, located at 107 West St. S., which is accessible from West Street South or Andrew Street South. Drop off will be at the Jarvis Street entrance of Couchiching Beach Park. The Sunshine Shuttle to and from Couchiching Beach Park is free with a flat parking fee of $30 per day for vehicles to park in Lot 6. Parking can be paid by credit card with the pay-and-display machine or using the Passport Parking mobile application.
“The construction taking place in our downtown waterfront area will improve infrastructure and better connect the waterfront to our historic downtown. We appreciate the patience of residents, visitors and businesses this summer while we revitalize the area,” said Mayor McIsaac.
To learn more about the downtown waterfront area revitalization projects underway in Orillia and their impacts, please visit orillia.ca/waterfront.
