Waterfront Plan: East Pier Parking & Charter Boat Docking Options

About the Waterfront User Needs Assessment and Detailed Design Plan
Cobourg’s waterfront is a defining part of the town. Previously an industrial port, community and political will has transformed the waterfront into an important community destination focused on recreation, cultural, tourism and the environment. However, this transformation is ongoing. While the industrial past is well hidden, there is still work to be done to address the needs of the community now and in the future.

The Waterfront User Needs Assessment and Detailed Design Plan (Waterfront Plan), which was adopted by Council in 2018, provides the community with a roadmap for creating a beautiful, accessible and sustainable waterfront. The Plan recommends 83 initiatives in 24 projects to enhance Cobourg’s waterfront over a 24-year period. Each project requires Council’s approval, and the repair and enhancement of the East Pier is one of the first projects under consideration.

Project #1: Waterfront Plan - East Pier Repair and Enhancement
Completed in Summer 2019
The East Pier is a popular, year-round destination for residents and tourists. Situated on the east side of the harbour, the main trunk of the pier is 400 metres long and 30 metres wide at its widest point. It is largely unobstructed and features a toe rail along the edge and several seating nodes. The coast guard building and dock are at the north end. At the south end, the pier ends and connects to the breakwater which leads to the lighthouse. However, the pier is showing its age. Having been modified and expanded since 1832, the pier now has structural issues and requires ongoing maintenance and repair to fix sinkholes.

In 2018, the East Pier was closed to vehicular traffic due to health and safety concerns following a period of high water levels (Award of East Pier Condition Assessment and Reallocation of Funds). In 2018, Shoreplan conducted an engineering assessment of the pier and provided four options for addressing its structural integrity. Once the East Pier is structurally repaired, enhancements will be made to improve its functionality (nine enhancements are recommended by the Waterfront User Needs Assessment and Detailed Design Plan).

The repair and enhancement of the East Pier is one of the first projects under consideration. To confirm the directions for Improvements to the East Pier and the Adjacent Campground, the Town conducted additional public engagement in the summer of 2019. The results of the 2019 engagement, and other related studies, are available here.

In October 2019, the Committee of the Whole approved the outcome of the User Needs Assessment and the following public engagement.

• To move the East Pier project into the next stage of development, the Town has engaged:
• Shoreplan Engineering to assess the condition of the Harbour Breakwaters and Basin Walls;
• Branch Architecture to review the cultural heritage aspects of the East Pier and lighthouse; and
• The MBTW Group consulting team to proceed with the Detailed Design of the East Pier.

Project #2: Waterfront Plan - East Pier Revitalization Concept Development
Completed in September 2020
In September 2020, the Town of Cobourg and MBTW Team launched a survey for residents to review and identify the possible design concepts and provide commentary on the possible design concepts proposed for the East Pier. The MBTW Team worked with Town of Cobourg staff to evolve the East Pier conceptual design that was prepared for the User Needs Assessment by reviewing new information generated by the on-going studies and identifying new opportunities for the site design, updating the base plans to include the Coast Guard’s current site redevelopment plan, and developing the East Pier Detailed Design for community input in refining the site components, programming and materials palette.

The results of the East Pier Revitalization Concept Develop Review project from September 2020 are available here.

Project #3: Where We Are Now - East Pier Parking & Charter Boat Docking Options

As the Town of Cobourg and the MBTW Group continue to finalize the design of the East Pier, there are a few items for which we need your help. Two aspects of the proposed design, as identified through community feedback, need further community engagement to confirm direction.

1. Parking on the Pier ‐ Feedback obtained from the community was split on the provision of parking on the pier. To help clarify this item, the team has prepared two possible locations for parking for your consideration.
2. Charter and Tour Boat Docking ‐ The approved User Needs Assessment Report (2018) shows Deep Water Docking (12‐13’ draft) for Tour Boats and Charter Boat Docking on the west side of the pier. We would like to know how you feel about including this kind of use on the pier.

We're looking for your feedback:
To share your thoughts on the East Pier Parking Options and Tour and Charter Boat Docking, please contribute to the following public engagement opportunities below, including:

1. Watch the Virtual Presentation
2. Complete the Survey
3. Participate in the Forum (did we miss anything?)

Watch the Virtual Presentation Below: