The 80 hectare Canatara Park is a deeply rooted and well used waterfront park in Sarnia, beloved by the community. The Planning Partnership led a multi-disciplinary team to create a master plan to rejuvenate the park, enhance accessibility, resolve conflicting uses, enhance education and wayfinding, and envision new amenities. It charts a course for capital investment over the coming decades and provides detailed action items, potential partnerships, and financial projections for capital costs, operating costs, and revenue sources.

Canatara Park features a diverse range of ecosystems, including dune, meadow, wetland, lake, and woodland habitats. These natural communities support a rich variety of wildlife, with over 200 species at risk found within the park. The park also includes over 900 metres of sandy shoreline along Lake Huron, a provincially significant wetland (Lake Chipican), and one of only 16 Blue Flag beaches in Canada (2024).

Our team framed the master plan process around extensive community engagement. Hundreds of people attended public events, including an interactive design workshop with 80 people to generate design concepts. An online survey reached thousands of people. Regular consultations with City departments, Committees of Council, Provincial ministries, the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority, and various community groups ensured the plan was collaboratively developed and widely supported by local stakeholders.

An ecological land classification ensured ecosystems were identified and mapped, and the master plan carefully integrates recreational uses within the ecological framework. In particular, the plan protects the rare dune ecosystem, removing parking to expand the dunes, and introduces controlled and accessible walkways to protect sensitive grasses. Natural corridors throughout the park will link the various ecosystems. Redundant roads and parking will be removed.