Q&A: Beachfront roles and responsibilities

Who is responsible for the beachfront? Is it the Town of Wasaga Beach or the province?

The sand beach is part of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park, managed by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Ontario Parks. The provincial park is a 1,844-hectare Recreational class park.

Ontario Parks is responsible for the maintenance of the beach area fronting the Municipal Picnic Area lands, north of and including the boardwalk, as well as the beach area north of Beach Drive. A good guide to this location is the area north of an imaginary line along the black street light poles on Beach Drive, also marked with cedar posts connected with a yellow rope.

See the park map.

The town does not play a role in the management of the park.

The town is responsible for the municipal right-of-ways, which include Spruce Street, First Street, Second Street, and Third Street, as well as the sand-covered portion of Beach Drive, from Spruce Street to Third Street.

The town also is responsible for the maintenance of the parking lot areas from Spruce Street to Fifth Street.

The town starts its active maintenance for the season at the beginning of May.

The town also is responsible for the maintenance  of a Municipal Picnic Area (MPA) it oversees. This is west of Beach Drive, between Third and Sixth streets and south of the boardwalk.

If you have a concern about something on the sand-covered portion of Beach Drive or in the Municipal Picnic Area, please contact the town.

What should I do if I am concerned about garbage on the beach or elsewhere in the provincial park?

If you would like to speak to someone about garbage on the beach, you may do so by contacting Ontario Parks. See the contact information.

Municipal staff pick litter on the sand covered portion of Beach Drive first thing in the morning, as well as in the municipal parking lots and in the Municipal Picnic Area. Town staff continually monitor the maintenance operations throughout the day. 

As good citizens everyone is responsible for disposing of their garbage appropriately, which goes a long way in maintaining our public spaces. For those that do, we thank you for helping keep our community clean.

If you have a concern about garbage on town property, please contact Public Works at 425-429-2540.

What should I do if I see suspicious activity happening on the beach or elsewhere in the provincial park?

If it is a non-emergency, you can contact Ontario Parks. They have park wardens that patrol regularly. Starting mid-June, park wardens are on duty well into the evening. 

If it is an emergency, contact 9-1-1.

What should I do if I see suspicious activity happening on the sand-covered portion of Beach Drive or in the Municipal Picnic Area?

The town has signage near municipal access points to the beach, warning people there is no supervision of these swimming areas. We advise people not to swim alone and to use lifejackets.

Signage also exists at the mouth of the Nottawasaga River, advising people of a no-swim area. This is due to dangerous currents.

The town also has a waterfront safety brochure that is available at various locations, including the RecPlex and the library.

You visit the Wasaga Beach Provincial Park website.

Ontario Parks also has a great blog you can review.

Yes. The town operates a number of washrooms connected with the parking lots and businesses at the beach. The main washroom is located at the Playland parking lot.

Ontario Parks also operates washroom facilities at all of its beach areas including Beach Areas 1 to 6, Allenwood Beach, and New Wasaga Beach. In the Beach Drive area, this includes the 1B washroom located just east of the Spruce Street parking lot and the 2A washroom just west of Third Street.

What parking options do I have near the beachfront?

Ontario Parks operates a number of parking lots along the beachfront.  The town has municipal parking lots near Beach Areas 1, 2 and 4.

See provincial park map for parking.

See municipal parking map.

Wasaga Beach Provincial Park Management Plan.

Wasaga Beach Provincial Park: Beach Management Secondary Plan.

The Friends of Nancy Island and Wasaga Beach Park.

Ontario Parks FAQs.

Wasaga Beach Provincial Park washroom and parking map.

Wasaga Beach Provincial Park regional setting map.