Disappearing Waterfront

Locked gates at Confederation Basin
(since 2006)

The City of Kingston town docks are off-limits to everyone, residents and visitors alike, except for boaters parked there.

Chains at Fort Henry
(since 2007)

Which keeps visitors off the hill, and away from the water.

"No Fishing" off the Lasalle Causeway
(since 2007)

A favorite downtown fishing spot is closed by officious desk-flying knobs.

Closed trail through the DND-owned woodlands (since 2006 (?))

An interesting natural walking and bike trail that's adjacent or within view of the water over significant distance.

Block D (since 2007)

With only Token Park remaining.

Anchoring prohibited inside Confederation Basin (since 2005 (?))

Though there's plenty of room for moorings, there are none. Furthermore, since about 2005, anchoring isn't permitted behind the breakwall. Boating to Kingston? Tight, noisy docks only.

The southern view (2008)

The 82-turbine Wolfe Island wind project radically changed both the day and night views from Kingston Harbour.

Token Park ( Block D ) seawalls (2010)

Lost are some 200m of dockable seawall in Confederation Basin. What was built is a tumblestone block finish, the minimum-cost option for Homestead Land Holdings.

Doug Fluhrer Park

The Wellington Street Extension will be like laying Taylor Kidd Blvd through this waterfront park.

City marinas (2009)

Offloading Confederation Basin and Portsmouth Olympic Harbour to the private sector. Done deal?

• August 2006 RFI.
• April 2008 RFP.

Rideau Marina

Owned by Homestead Land Holdings, the region's most aggressive property developer. Rideau Marina is the only remaining marina in Kingston with on-site marine service.

Music Marina

Likely to be obliterated by the third-crossing of the Cataraqui River.

Music marina isn't big but it's the only place in North Kingston with access to water for launching or docking.

Probable: fences at Kingston's main wharves

May be coming as part of homeland security measures.

The water lots (Since 2006)

Since 2006 it's been known that the Federal Government intends to rid itself of 7.5 km of water lots between Belle Island in the Cataraqui River to Lake Ontario Park in Kingston's west end. A change in ownership of these water lots can potentially mean lots of changes in how these are used, or can be used.

Federal wharves

See Water Lots. Nearby precedents: Rockport, and Horne's.

In Kingston, the Marine Museum's outer wharves?

Diving from the Marine Museum
(since 2007)

Used by local divers for shore-dives to nearby wrecks, and parking. Currently closed for repairs. Hopefully this is a temporary loss of access for local diving.

Customs, and passenger vessel security (since 2002)

Fences, crew testing, customs and immigration delays - all of this makes it harder to get to Cape Vincent from Wolfe Island, or to Boldt Castle from Gananoque, which is tough on travelers, vacationers, and the boat lines.

The General Wolfe Hotel dock

A prime and mostly deserted Wolfe Island dock is "for hotel guests only", with excess capacity even at the height of summer.

Big Sandy Bay beach fees (since 2006)

An $8 per head fee for day-use is now in place.

Confederation Basin docking fees

Started last summer. Pay and display.

Anglin Bay, MetalCraft Marine, and part of Fluhrer Park
(2004-2005)

Citizens had to fight like hell to save Fluhrer park, Kingston Marina, and MetalCraft Marine from the LVEC.

Marine Museum of the Great Lakes

Both the federal government and city have provided the Museum with "letters of comfort" supporting the goal of the Marine Museum remaining at the current location permanently. But for a long while, things were looking bleak.