The Lake Drive multi-use pathway (MUP) had a successful first year of implementation. The following briefly describes key aspects of the project:

Current status

• The MUP was fully implemented June 27, 2025
• The MUP was fully removed October 2, 2025
• Permanent features were installed along Lake Drive including:
  • Sidewalk extension
  • Speed hump installation
  • New full-stop intersections
  • Improved intersection turning movements
  • Dedicated pedestrian sidewalks
  • New guiderail and hand rails
  • Line painting
  • Signage
• MUP features that will be seasonally implemented:
  • Flexible bollard placements
  • Modular traffic island at Lake Drive and South Drive
  • Traffic signage (NO LEFT TURNS, DO NOT ENTER, etc.)
  • Pedestrian signage (SHARE THE PATH, educational awareness, etc.)

Next steps

• A Council Report detailing traffic and pedestrian data, budgetary impacts, feedback received, construction / implementation updates, and continuous improvement will be presented by end of year 2025.
• MUP implementation in 2026; dates to be confirmed.

The construction phase of Lake Drive Improvements Phase One project has now begun.

The Town has engaged RS Construction Group as the contractor to complete the works. The contractor has mobilized and has begun work by laying out pavement markings. Over the next few weeks, more pavement markings, new crosswalks, new signs, speed humps, traffic control measures and lane separating bollards will be installed. The improvements are planned to be implemented prior to June 27, 2025 as scheduled.

Refer to

The engineering design of Lake Drive Improvements Phase One project is now complete. Construction will begin in May 2025.

Completed work

• Detailed design including the tender-ready package
• Provided an update report to the Council, which included more details about the project, established rough timelines on implementation and passed administrative bylaws (March 5 Council report)
• Obtain all required permits (Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and York Region) for construction
• Select a contractor to undertake construction in a public and competitive procurement process

Next steps

• Award the construction contract to the successful contractor
• Conduct public education campaign through various measures and channels, including but not limited to the following:
  • Up-to-date webpage
  • Georgina Matters newsletter
  • Letters to residents in project area
  • Social media posts
  • On-street signage
  • Media release once multi-use pathway is fully implemented

• Begin construction and fully implement improvements features prior to June 27, 2025

The engineering design of phase one of the Lake Drive Improvements began in summer 2024 and is now nearing completion.

Completed work

• Preliminary design
• Targeted stakeholder group workshops and discussions (presentation slides)
• Consultation with Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA)

Next steps

• Complete detailed design including the tender-ready package
• Provide an update report to the Council in Q1 2025
• Select a contractor to undertake construction
• Conduct public education campaign through various measures and channels (e.g., webpage updates, letter to residents, social media posts, signage etc.)
• Complete construction and fully implement improvements features for summer 2025

The engineering design stage of phase one of the Lake Drive Improvements began in summer 2024.

The following briefly describes key aspects of the project:

Current status

• The project kick-off meeting occurred in June 2024
• Work has been completed on:
  • Background information collection and review
  • Site investigations
  • Communications Plan
  • Draft Preliminary Design
  • November 20, 2024 Council report providing an update on status
• The following tasks are nearing completion:
  • Final Preliminary Design
  • Targeted stakeholder group discussions

Next steps

• Roll out of the communications plan including:
  • Letters to residents, on-street signage, social media posts, etc.
• Complete the detailed design design

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.

Construction work began in May 2025 with completion prior to June 27, 2025. The pathway closed on Oct. 3, 2025.

The one-way traffic and multi-use pathway was implemented over the summer months and 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 adjusted their routes to make sure services continue as usual.

Emergency and service vehicles (like those doing road work or tree trimming) were 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.

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

The improvements were put in place as of June 26, 2025, at 7 a.m. This configuration is seasonal and the MUP/one-way arrangement was removed by Oct. 3, 2025.

• 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.