Lake Drive is a unique and popular feature of the Town of Georgina because of its beautiful, natural setting following the shoreline of Lake Simcoe. Concerns have long been expressed that the narrow and curving roadway of many portions of Lake Drive poses problems for the mix of pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. The Town is taking action to improve the safety and utility of Lake Drive for all users, while amplifying the value of Lake Drive as a local asset.

The seasonal pathway will reopen in May 2026 and operate during the summer months. The pathway was first implemented in 2025 as Phase One of the project.

The one-way traffic and multi-use pathway are implemented seasonally during the summer months. Lake Drive returns to two-way traffic during the remainder of the year.

Seasonal one-way vehicle traffic will travel west-to-east, from North Gwillimbury Park towards Dalton Road.

Yes. Emergency services, waste collection, school buses, and Canada Post adjust their routes to make sure services continue as usual.

Emergency and service vehicles (like those doing road work or tree trimming) are allowed to use the multi-use pathway when needed. This mitigates emergency response time impacts and allows regular maintenance to continue.

Emergency vehicles will be able to travel on Lake Drive East in these ways:

• Eastbound in the regular vehicle lane (as usual)
• Eastbound in the multi-use pathway lane (if needed)
• Westbound in the multi-use pathway lane (if needed)
• Westbound in the regular vehicle lane (if it’s safe)

It is recommended that large groups of cyclists use the eastbound one-way street between Civic Centre Road and South Drive for vehicle traffic. The multi-use pathway is designated for pedestrians and passive cyclists. Westbound traffic to use alternate routes such as Metro Road.

The Lake Drive Functional Assessment Study occurred in 2023 and was a precursor to the current Lake Drive Improvements – Phase one project. The study provided the recommended phasing and preferred design alternatives to be implemented along Lake Drive South, Lake Drive North, Lake Drive East, and Hedge Road. The study also included extensive public consultation including:

• Letters to residents
• Webpage updates
• Two virtual workshops
• Beach pop-up sessions
• Public Information Centre

The key takeaway from these public consultations was that the majority of feedback received was to implement a one-way road along a portion of Lake Drive, with the other lane being a bi-directional multi-use pathway.

This project is separate from the Waterfront Parks Master Plan, which has a long-term implementation horizon extending past 2030. The project teams coordinate and work together to achieve integration of planned activities between the two projects.

• Multi-use pathway (north lane) and one-way west-to-east vehicle lane (south lane) between Civic Centre Road to South Drive
• Sharrows (vehicles reminded to share the road with bicycles) between Varney Road and Civic Centre Road, and South Drive to Dalton Road
• Bollard locations have been designed to avoid interference with regular vehicle access to driveways and connecting roads. If specific bollards interfere with movement of larger trailers or large delivery vehicles, bollards can be safely driven over in one direction. If you prefer not to drive over the bollard, provide advance notice to the Town. Town staff may temporarily remove and replace the bollard.
• The improvements generally consist of pavement markings, signage installation, traffic calming (flex bollards, pedestrian crossing, speed humps installation), paving of asphalt shoulder and sidewalk installation
• Six pedestrian crossings including speed humps at North Gwillimbury Park, Sheppard Wharf, Willow Beach, Willow Wharf, Franklin Beach and De La Salle Beach
• Four new all-way stops at Woodbine Avenue, Civic Centre Road, Kennedy Road and South Drive
• South Drive and Hardwood Drive traffic calming such as limited turning movements, speed cushions and local traffic only signage
• Emergency-only access locations at Lagoon Drive and De La Salle Boulevard
• Sidewalk extension at Eastern Transition Zone (around South Drive)

Refer to the schematic below for details

In 2025, the improvements were put in place as of June 26 at 7 a.m. and were removed by Oct. 3. In 2026, the improvements will be implemented during the summer months before being removed in the fall. This is a seasonal configuration.

• Use Lake Drive as the scenic and recreational jewel that it is. It’s a great place to slow down a little.
• To save time, use Metro Road as a quicker alternative to Lake Drive.
• Share the road. Pay attention, be careful and respectful of others using Lake Drive at all times.
• Observe and obey all traffic and parking restrictions on Lake Drive and the surrounding streets. Restrictions will be enforced.
• Remember to avoid turning west at Lake Drive and Dalton Road. Travel west along Metro Road instead.
• Do not use South Drive or Hardwood Drive to access Lake Drive from Metro Road. These streets are now closed to northbound through traffic.
• Do not drive through, park at or block designated “Emergency Access Only” entrances. These restrictions will be enforced.

Parking is not permitted along most of Lake Drive and nearby streets to ensure emergency access. However, public parking is available at:

• Willow Beach
• De La Salle Park

Visitors may use pay-and-display parking. Residents can use their parking passes. For full details on parking locations, fees and regulations, visit the Town of Georgina parking page.

Yes, passive cyclists can use the multi-use pathway along with pedestrians. Cyclists can also use the vehicle lane. In Ontario, cyclists are legally permitted to use a vehicle lane. Find out more about sharing the road at ontario.ca.

Mobility scooters are treated like pedestrians under the Highway Traffic Act, meaning they are allowed on the multi-use pathway.

The Town of Georgina and York Region are working together to ensure pedestrians, cyclists and motorists can safely cross through the work area during construction at the Georgina Water Treatment Plant. A number of measures will be in place when construction activity requires it. For more information on the project, visit York Region’s website.

York Region and the Town have worked closely together to ensure both the vehicle lane and multi-use pathway are functional during the Region's project. There will be physical barriers in place to block vehicles and pedestrians when construction vehicles need to cross Lake Drive. Refer to the Region’s webpage for more information about the Water Treatment Plant project.