Kingston has opened new swimming locations like Richardson Beach and has organized events at Grass Creek Park to showcase different beach areas, but beachgoers still seem to prefer Breakwater Park as their go-to spot.
Wynne Stevenson, owner of Red Squirrel Cafe, operates a mobile espresso bar and frequently serves cold drinks to those visiting Breakwater Park. She started offering beverages this summer and has noticed the crowds at the beach. She believes that people are drawn to its sandy environment and close proximity to downtown.
“Lake Ontario Park isn’t as easy to get to since there’s a steep hill you have to navigate. Plus, there’s not much space for sunbathing or playing games like volleyball or spike ball by the water. A lot of people enjoy those activities at the pier. I think being right downtown while still feeling like you’re at the beach is really appealing,” said Stevenson.
Stevenson was serving drinks during Canada Day festivities at Breakwater Park when she noticed how busy it got.
“Even though it was packed, it wasn’t too overwhelming for me. We sold a ton of lemonade-30 litres!” she shared.
While many beach visitors cite similar reasons as Stevenson for choosing this location, some have found that the large crowds make it difficult to enjoy Breakwater Park fully.
A user on Reddit posted a photo from Breakwater Park on Saturday, Jun. 27, 2026-the weekend before Canada Day and Queen’s University convocation ceremonies-showing a huge crowd on the beach. Many who were there expressed their frustration in the comments section of that post.
One commenter noted, “We tried to go down but spent 40 minutes looking for parking… then we just gave up and went home.” Another remarked, “This shows that more beaches are needed in Kingston-a city by the water-for everyone to enjoy.”
A large crowd gathered at Breakwater Park on June 27, 2026. Screenshot from Ozolio Livestreaming Platform at Breakwater Park.
In an interview, Councillor Conny Glenn talked about City Council’s discussions regarding accessible swimming spaces.
“Swimming has been an issue for this Council for some time; we’re working on making improvements in that area,” she stated.
Glenn highlighted plans by the City for enhancing downtown Kingston’s waterfront experience.
“We’re planning to move forward with the Confederation Basin Project, which will improve access to water,” she explained.
The Confederation Basin Promenade Project aims to build upon the current rock shoreline structure surrounding Confederation Basin Park by adding features like an upgraded entry point, extra seating areas, and better access for swimming.
Construction on this project is expected in 2027. In the meantime, Glenn is collaborating with local bylaw officers to maintain safety during crowded times at Breakwater Park.
“We’re discussing what steps we can take about it since it’s relatively new over these last couple of years seeing so many people engaging in that area,” said Glenn.
Currently, bylaw officers can’t intervene when large crowds gather at the beach.
In a statement from City of Kingston By-law Enforcement Services: “While officers may respond to complaints about specific violations such as prohibited activities or noise within our authority range, simply having a large number of people present at Breakwater Park does not violate any bylaws.”
Although overcrowding isn’t considered a violation of any bylaws , city staff along with bylaw officers are actively discussing what actions they should take regarding public safety ahead of upcoming summer events and long weekends.
Meaghan Beavis is a reporter based in Kingston , affiliated with Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) , writing for YGK News. The LJI receives funding from Government of Canada.
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A large crowd gathered at Breakwater Park on June 27, 2026. Screenshot from Ozolio Livestreaming Platform at Breakwater Park.
In an interview, Councillor Conny Glenn talked about City Council’s discussions regarding accessible swimming spaces.
“Swimming has been an issue for this Council for some time; we’re working on making improvements in that area,” she stated.
Glenn highlighted plans by the City for enhancing downtown Kingston’s waterfront experience.
“We’re planning to move forward with the Confederation Basin Project, which will improve access to water,” she explained.
The Confederation Basin Promenade Project aims to build upon the current rock shoreline structure surrounding Confederation Basin Park by adding features like an upgraded entry point, extra seating areas, and better access for swimming.
Construction on this project is expected in 2027. In the meantime, Glenn is collaborating with local bylaw officers to maintain safety during crowded times at Breakwater Park.
“We’re discussing what steps we can take about it since it’s relatively new over these last couple of years seeing so many people engaging in that area,” said Glenn.
Currently, bylaw officers can’t intervene when large crowds gather at the beach.
In a statement from City of Kingston By-law Enforcement Services: “While officers may respond to complaints about specific violations such as prohibited activities or noise within our authority range, simply having a large number of people present at Breakwater Park does not violate any bylaws.”
Although overcrowding isn’t considered a violation of any bylaws , city staff along with bylaw officers are actively discussing what actions they should take regarding public safety ahead of upcoming summer events and long weekends.
Meaghan Beavis is a reporter based in Kingston , affiliated with Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) , writing for YGK News. The LJI receives funding from Government of Canada.Source link
