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Council approves funding for Picton Harbour lookouts

Seven lookouts along a revitalized Picton Harbour are one step closer as council agreed to signing an agreement to receive $262,500 in federal funding and paying a 25 per cent municipal contribution of $87,500.

The lookouts – that span between Chimney Point and Brick Kiln Point – are intended to showcase views of the harbour and may include seating, shade, receptacles, wayfinding/interpretive panels telling the cultural and environmental story of the harbour; pathways and landscaping where needed.

Municipal staff estimated each lookout at a cost of $50,000. A requests for proposal process will develop a plan for each.

Council has already authorized providing the municipality’s portion through the Parkland Reserve. The majority of the project funds would be provided in 2022/23 with the work being planned for January to March 2022 with completion set for the summer of 2022. The lookouts are located on existing / planned green spaces already being maintained by the municipality.

In addition to the lookouts, harbour improvements are planned or under way, include installation of the boardwalk / finger docks that Tenacity Capital is installing, and plans for a new stretch of boardwalk that Port Picton is installing as part of its Community Benefit agreement.

Various plans and ideas to develop the harbour have been in place for decades. At the request of council, and the Community and Economic Development Commission (CEDC), a task team was struck this spring to, among other things, review the 2017 vision for the harbour, address and resolve responsibilities related to new boardwalks.

The committee included CEDC members Gord Fox and Michael Miller; Alison Kelly or Nancy Stephenson as members of the accessibility advisory committee; Thomas Harrison, a member of the Heritage Advisory Committee; Sarah Doiron/Mark Rose from the Picton BIA; and councillors Phil St. Jean and Kate McNaughton. Lindsay Reid from Branch Architecture, aslo advised the team.

One the Harbour Trail is established, in the longer term there is opportunity for expansion to include a crosswalk connection across Bridge Street to Delhi Park; a foot bridge connection over the mouth of the harbour to connect existing sections of boardwalk and a stairway from the Shire Hall parkette.

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  1. Chuck says:

    A lot of $$ to view a polluted harbour and Bay. Money would be better spent to start to clean up the toxic mess.

  2. Dennis Fox says:

    While I like the idea of these lookouts, they alone are not enough. The entire harbour is blocked out – a person can drive down Main St. and never know that Picton is a waterfront town, with a harbour. There needs to be open space for the public to walk and to picnic by the harbour, but there is no land, it has all been sold. These lookouts are the only option we have to view the harbour. Somewhere along the line, the public’s access to this area and the public ownership of it has been lost and forgotten. Sad really.

  3. Fred says:

    Have to wonder why we are receiving Federal funding for lookouts when we have a housing crisis. Makes no common sense. Would those tax dollars not be better served going to our housing corporation. Those requiring suitable housing aren’t concerned about looking over the harbour.

  4. Jessica says:

    This sounds great! As a resident, I am excited about the beautification of and increased access to the harbour. Thank you to the committee for your work on this!

  5. Michelle says:

    I guess the big question is, how did this develop to be put forward and did the community that is paying and maintaining desire this.

  6. Janet M says:

    I think these will be beautiful spots for locals and tourists. Anyone living in the area will now be more enticed to take in the sunset views while strolling along the boardwalk to the lookout points. Another feature to add to Picton’s charm. Well done PEC.

  7. angela says:

    Here we go again. Something more for the tourists. They will soon be littering along the shores of the harbour as well as everywhere else. Locals have never needed lookouts with seating and shade and do not need them now. So much for the privacy of those living on the waterfront side of Hill Street. There is already a park with a great view of the harbour, seating and shade. Shouldn’t that be enough? The county seemingly will be content to stop when every last natural vista has been “improved” for the enjoyment of our tourists. What a waste of money.

  8. JennyD says:

    Let’s be honest. These “lookouts” will be filled up with tourists, and although tax payors will be maintaining these areas, those who will benefit most will be visitors. Another place for tourists.

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