Waterfront Plan: East Pier

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Consultation has concluded

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
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 public engagement objective for the East Pier is to:

  • Identify the best option for the structural repair of the East Pier
  • Provide commentary on the nine enhancement initiatives proposed for the East Pier
  • Brainstorm ideas and develop a vision for the future of the East Pier

We're looking for your feedback:
To share your thoughts on the East Pier in respect to both structural repair and enhancement please contribute to the following public engagement opportunities below, including:

1. Complete the Survey (repair options)
2. Join our Forum (enhancement options)
3. Share a Story

CLOSED
Thank you to all citizens who participated in our public engagement process for the Waterfront Plan. Please see the News Feed below to follow up on the project conclusion.

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
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 public engagement objective for the East Pier is to:

  • Identify the best option for the structural repair of the East Pier
  • Provide commentary on the nine enhancement initiatives proposed for the East Pier
  • Brainstorm ideas and develop a vision for the future of the East Pier

We're looking for your feedback:
To share your thoughts on the East Pier in respect to both structural repair and enhancement please contribute to the following public engagement opportunities below, including:

1. Complete the Survey (repair options)
2. Join our Forum (enhancement options)
3. Share a Story

CLOSED
Thank you to all citizens who participated in our public engagement process for the Waterfront Plan. Please see the News Feed below to follow up on the project conclusion.

Discussions: All (3) Open (0)

  • What East Pier structural repair option did you select, and why?

    over 4 years ago
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    Please let us know your thoughts on the option for repair and enhancement you selected and why that was the best choice. 

  • The Waterfront Plan identified nine initiatives pertaining to the enhancement of the East Pier. Let us know your thoughts on any of them.

    over 4 years ago
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    6 Responses
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    1. Structural repairs (Note: The structural repairs is currently being addressed using the survey tool.)
    2. Seating/lookouts
    3. Pedestrian walkway
    4. Infrastructure for charter boats and deep water docking
    5. New Coast Guard building*
    *Note: The Town of Cobourg is currently working with Fisheries and Oceans on a new Coast Guard administration and station house. Site plan approval will be received by Council on August 12 and submitted to the Planning Department for a full report. Read the Application Site Plan Approval – Coast Guard Search and Rescue Station, 114 Division Street report.
    6. Provide food concession / restaurant
    7. Lighthouse improvements
    8. Seasonal closure to motorized vehicles
    9. Electrical upgrades and pedestrian lighting

    Read Further Detail on the Nine Initiatives for the East Pier:

    4.1 Structural repairs
    • Undertake structural repairs of East Pier including east breakwater
    • Continue to ban pedestrian access to east breakwater due to safety concerns and to allow for gathering of migratory birds
    • Weight requirements/capacities need to be understood in relation to continuing to host special events, such as the midway during the Waterfront Festival

    4.2 Seating/lookouts
    • Provide seating nodes along pier with view of harbour, downtown and Lake Ontario
    • Provide viewing platform at south end, appropriate for viewing migratory birds on east breakwater
    • Provide options for shade and potential plantings
    • Configuration to preserve unobstructed space for events 

    4.3 Pedestrian walkway
    • Provide safe and accessible clearway along east pier from Division Street to east breakwater
    • Provide night lighting for pedestrian safety
    • Provide railing between walkway and edge of pier 

    4.4 Infrastructure for charter boats and deep water docking
    • Provide opportunities for docking on west side of east pier
    • Investigate options to enhance safety for pedestrians along west side of pier by introducing a railing or bollards and chain to provide separation between pedestrians and edge of pier.
    • Docks to support charter boats
    • Include pedestrian ramp access
    • Include lighting and security measures
    • Consider designated parking area for users of this facility
    • Provide an environmentally friendly fish cleaning station

    4.5 New Coast Guard building*
    • Work with Fisheries and Oceans on design/construction of new Coast Guard administration and station house
    • Provide ramp access from pier to beach – configuration dependent on design/location of Coast Guard facility
    • Town to work with Fisheries and Oceans to ensure architecture and design are in keeping with heritage aesthetic of Cobourg harbour
    • Town may consider contributing additional funds to project to address building upgrades to make sure design is in keeping with local vernacular in regards to architectural heritage and design excellence

    *Note: The Town of Cobourg is currently working with Fisheries and Oceans on a new Coast Guard administration and station house. Site plan approval is going to Council on August 12. Read the Application Site Plan Approval – Coast Guard Search and Rescue Station, 114 Division Street report.

    4.6 Provide food concession, restaurant
    • Designate pier space for food and beverage sales – either retrofitted shipping container(s) or food truck(s)
    • Provide power and water to accommodate vendors
    • Provide space for setup of seasonal washroom facilities 

    4.7 Light house improvements
    • Upgrade lighthouse as an icon for the harbour and marina (e.g., paint and special programmable LED lighting which can be tailored to reflect the season or special events)
    • Leave walkway connection closed for pedestrian safety and to preserve breakwall as a bird roosting location
    • For further details on the importance of both breakwaters to migratory shore birds and waterfowl, please refer to the report prepared by Plan B Natural Heritage in Appendix H 

    4.8 Seasonal closure of pier to motorized vehicles 
    • Restrict motorized vehicular access during peak season to ensure a safe pedestrian environment and reduce potential for street racing

    4.9 Electrical upgrades and pedestrian lighting
    • Provide electrical upgrades to provide required lighting and power for special events
    • Coordinate work with structural repairs and specialty lighting for lighthouse

    To view more detail pertaining to any of the above mentioned initiatives please access our Document Library and view the Cobourg Waterfront User Needs Assessment and Detailed Design Plan. 

  • Do you have another ideas for the East Pier? What's your vision?

    over 4 years ago
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    17 Responses
    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded. Thank you for your input!

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