Fun in the Sun: Georgina welcomes back beach-goers

De La Salle, Holmes Point and Willow Beach open with limited parking available

Amanda Persico
Yorkregion.com
June 14, 2021

Just in time for the warmer weather ahead – along with emerging from the recent COVID-19 pandemic stay-at-home order – Georgina has opened its beaches in light of vaccine progress and declining COVID-19 case numbers.

Parking lots are available to both resident parking pass holders and those without.

“There is finally light at the end of what has been a very long tunnel. And I want to be the first to welcome everybody back to our community,” said Mayor Margaret Quirk.

“As our businesses bounce back from a very difficult time, welcoming everyone back to our beaches is key to their recovery.”

“As we all return to our popular beaches and parks, remember to be respectful to staff, our visitors and to each other. We all have had to endure a lot,” she added.

The three major waterfront parks and beaches – De La Salle, Willow Beach and Holmes Point – will have a dedicated parking lot for those with a resident parking pass and one for those without.

A resident parking pass is required to park for free in the resident parking lot. Starting July 1, only 2021 parking passes will be accepted, 2020 parking passes can still be used until June 30. To apply for a parking pass, visit georgina.ca/parkingpass.

And residents can get a 2021 parking pass on site at De La Salle, Willow Beach and Holmes Point. Residents will need their driver's license or proof of residency and licence plate number. Only one parking pass will be issued per vehicle on site.

Parking lots will be available on a first come, first-served basis and pay-and-display machines will be operating. In order to limit crowds, parking spaces have been reduced. Once parking lots reach capacity, they will be closed.

Opening parking lots will help to alleviate parking issues along some of the surrounding streets and neighbourhoods.

The town recently increased no parking and no stopping fines to $100 and $150 respectively in the new waterfront buffer zone – on roads along the entire Lake Simcoe shoreline.

Visitors are asked to limit their beach time and share the area responsibly to allow others to enjoy the beach area as it becomes busy.

Barbecues and other outdoor cooking devices are not permitted on the beach or in the park area.

Beaches are open daily 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Town staff will be on site to monitor and control the number of users in the park.

For more information, visit georgina.ca/beaches.