In August 2006 the firm of Paradigm Transportation Solutions Limited was retained to complete the first phase of the Crystal Beach Neighbourhood Parking Study, with Phase 1 concentrating on the Bay Beach/Commercial Core area. Over the latter part of 2006 and throughout the summer of 2007, Paradigm surveyed the parking demand and supply in the area, and has compiled their findings in a report and presentation that will be before Council on Monday, October 1, 2007. The meeting starts at 6pm, however the presentation will take place after the scehduled Public Hearings on other matters. Please CLICK HERE for a copy of the final report, including Stafff's report to Council.


In December 2005 Town Council outlined their vision for the future development of the Bay Beach property. One of the key recommendations was the creation of a permanent paid parking facility at the northwest corner of Erie Road and Eastwood Avenue. To this end, a 94-space permanent parking lot has been constructed on this site, and is nearing completion. Please remember that once this lot is operational, users will be required to "Pay and Display", using the kiosk at the main entrance to the lot. The cost for parking is $2/hr, with a $5 max. per day. Please ensure that your ticket is placed on your windshield face-up and easy to read. The provision of a modern, properly paved and landscaped parking area is a vital part of the overall Bay Beach development plan, and part of the Town of Fort Erie's committment to improving the urban fabric and character of Crystal Beach.

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One of the key recommendations of the Crystal Beach Neighbourhood Plan was the need to evaluate the parking situation at Bay Beach and in the Core Mixed-Use Area. Summertime parking demand at Bay Beach has been a major concern of residents of the Neighbourhood and of Town Council. The problem facing us is how to create proper parking for the peak period, while making sure we do not compromise the open space characteristics of the neighbourhood by creating large parking lots that would not be utilized for much of the year. To this end, the Town has hired well-known traffic analysis consultants Paradigm Transportation Solutions Ltd to analyse the existing parking situation at Bay Beach, in the Core Area, and along the Erie Road Connecting Corridor. The consultant will be making recommendations for parking improvements, with a report due by the end of September. Over the next couple weeks you will see traffic analysts in the Neighbourhood surveying the parking situation. Please be courteous to them, and feel free to offer any insight you may have if you see them about.

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At the Action Niagara Smart Growth Summit at the Sheraton Fallsview in Niagara Falls on December 14, 2005, the First Annual Niagara Community Design Awards were handed out for various projects throughout the Niagara Region and beyond. Awards were presented in six different categories ranging from "Brownfield Development" to "Pioneering Leadership". Out of 40 projects submitted in the competition, the Crystal Beach Neighbourhood Plan took the top honor for "Overall Excellence". Crystal Beach was chosen due to the Plan's adherence to Smart Growth principles, meaning that development of the village will occur in a way that respects its natural areas, its unique history, and its waterfront location, while strictly limiting urban sprawl and providing for core area intensification and redevelopment opportunities.

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At its meeting of December 5, 2005, Council considered Report CDS-153-05, outlining a planned development scenario for the Bay Beach municipal property. Staff's Report divided the lands into 8 sectors based on the original land survey, and suggested development options for each. The following summarizes the approved intent of Council with respect to the property:

Part 1 - A permanent paved parking area will be developed on Part 1, being the northwest corner of Erie Road and Eastwood Avenue. A further Staff Report will outline costs and implementation schedule, however it is anticipated that some sort of paid parking facility will be in place for the 2006 summer season.

Part 2 - Eastwood Avenue will remain open to traffic as a public street.

Part 3 - This property is located on the northeast corner of Erie Road and Eastwood Avenue. The subject site is proposed to be offered for sale for the development of low-rise residential condominiums, pending the outcome of the Neighbourhood parking study to be conducted in 2006-2007.

Part 4 - The existing municipal beach will remain as is, in public ownership.

Part 5 - The existing Dance Hall will be evaluated in-depth to determine feasibility for its use as a public facility and focal point. Early indications are that the lower level could revert back to its original use as a washroom/changerooom facility and possibly a beach concession area, while the upper plaza level could be used as a pavilion area.

Part 6 - The existing "Lobster House" building will be offered for lease to a private operator for a restaurant facility.

Part 7 - The existing concession building will be demolished to provide additional open space, once alternate facilities for concessions and washrooms are developed elsewhere on the site.

Part 8 - The south side of Erie Road will remain in public ownership for open space uses. The existing south-side parking area will continue to be used, pending the results of the village-wide parking study to be conducted in 2006.

DOWNLOAD THE BAY BEACH ECONOMIC IMPACT ANALYSIS HERE (5.75 MB FILE)

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The final draft of the Crystal Beach Neighbourhood Plan was presented to Town Council and the public at a Public Meeting on August 8, 2005. Town Staff and the Community Focus Group made a presentation outlining the components of the plan, and the expected deliverables. The meeting was attended by well over 100 persons, and 22 people spoke to Council on various aspects of the plan. Staff then made some final revisions to the Plan based the community input, and Town Council approved the Neighbourhood Plan on September 12, 2005.

A copy of the entire three-volume set of the approved Neighbourhood Plan is available in the Community and Development Services Department, or may be mailed to you upon request for a small charge to cover printing and postage. The documents will also be available at all three Public Library branches in Fort Erie, and will be available for download here.

Click here for the Neighbourhood Plan Background Report
(Volume 1)

Click here for the Neighbourhood Plan Policy Document
(Volume 2)

Click here for the Crystal Beach Neighbourhood Land Use Plan

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Crystal Beach began as a cottage and service area related to the Crystal Beach Amusement Park, one of Canada's most popular waterfront attraction areas. Crystal Beach's heyday began in the 1920s and the park and village flourished through to the 1950s. A slow and steady decline of amusement park patrons began after this, due to the opening of larger entertainment centres elsewhere. The park finally closed in 1989, after 100 years of operation. The closing of the amusement park, which was a major reason for the existence of the village, brought many challenges to the community. The reduction in the number of summer visitors, along with other socio-economic factors caused the commercial area to dwindle and the residential areas to become increasingly unsightly due to lack of repair or complete abandonment of cottages and homes. BUT....this is all changing.....




Today Crystal Beach is a predominately residential community that is experiencing a rejuvenation. Older cottages are being repaired and converted to year-round use, and a major new residential development has taken shape on the former amusement park grounds. As well, the commercial core area is beginning to see new private investment interest.

The Crystal Beach Neighbourhood Plan is designed to assist the municipality and the public in decision-making with respect to community improvement and investment. The Plan is intended to guide the growth and development of the neighbourhood for the next 20-year period. Amendements will be made to the plan periodically, in order to reflect changing needs and desires of the community.


Neighbourhood Plan Progress
The Town of Fort Erie has completed the public consultation process for the development of the Neighbourhood Plan. Two Open Houses and a more formal Public Meeting with Town Council have been held over the past 6 months, in order to bring the Neighbourhood Plan concepts to the public. Town Council approved the final Neighbourhood Plan on September 12, 2005.

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We welcome your comments and suggestions. Make plans to attend our Open Houses, or send your comments directly to: