Culture & Recreation >> Parks, Trails & Open Space

Waterfront Parks and Beaches

Fort Erie boasts approximately 42 kilometers of waterfront along the shores of Lake Erie and the Niagara River. The shoreline ranges from sandy beach, to rocky shoreline, to developed parkland and recreation trails. Attend a community event at one of the Town’s waterfront parks such as Riverwalk, enjoy a day at the beach at Waverly Beach Park, Bernard Beach or Bay Beach, launch your boat at Crystal Beach Waterfront Park, or bird watch at Maple Leaf Beach Park.

 

WATERFRONT PARKS

photo displaying a beach with white sand, a green tree and blue water in the distance

Crescent Beach  Park
Located at the south end of Crescent Road, in Crescent Park.

The sandy beach of Crescent Beach Park offer a quiet oasis in your backyard, perfect for walking and enjoying the view. Situated conveniently along the Fort Erie Friendship Trail provides for easy access by foot or bicycle.Free parking also available.

 

a photo of a beach on a hot day with several people enjoying the sun

Crystal Beach/Bay Beach
Located at Ashwood Avenue and Erie Road, in Crystal Beach


As a popular Southern Ontario and Western New York beach destination, Crystal Beach's buzzing atmosphere offers exciting beach days for the entire family, with a beach themed business area along Erie Road that makes it easy to enjoy a close-to-home vacation.

On site parking is available at a cost of $4/hour or $10/day per vehicle.

Please be aware that Bay Beach is currently under construction. The beach remains open to the public through the Ashwood Entrance. Porta potties are available in the adjacent parking lots. 

 

Crystal Beach Waterfront Park and Boat Launch

Located at the end of Ridgeway Road, in Crystal Beach


Crystal Beach Waterfront Park offers amenities for the entire family, including a boat launch, playground, pavilion, washroom facilities and free car parking.

The Crystal Beach Waterfront Park boat launch is open from April to October (weather dependent). On site parking is available for vehicles with trailers at a cost of $10/day. Season passes are available for $100 (taxes included) for the entire boating season. Our convenient pay-and-display machines accept Canadian $1 and $2 coins or credit cards.
To reserve the Waterfront Park pavilion or for any questions regarding the Crystal Beach boat launch please call (905) 871-1600 ext. 2431.

 

several people walking down the riverwalk on a beautiful sunny day.

Riverwalk

Located along the Niagara Boulevard between Queen Street and Bertie Street.

Riverwalk offers majestic views of the Peace Bridge and the Niagara River. Relax in a grassy park overlooking the river, enjoy lunch on an outdoor patio backing onto Riverwalk, or attend a concert or community event on a summer evening.
 

Riverwalk forms the southerly link of the Greater Niagara Circle Route, is a part of the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail, and the 17,000 kilometer Trans-Canada Trail - connecting to Victoria to St. John to Tutyuktuk.

 

a photograph of white sand and beautiful blue water in the distance.

Bernard Beach Park
Located at the south end of Bernard and Thunder Bay Roads

Bernard Beach Park is a short ride from the Friendship Trail and provides for ample vehicular parking. Located along the sandy shores of Lake Erie, the Park is ideal for lounging on the beach, picnics and family fun.

 

a beautiful walking path with green trees on the outside of the path, in the distance you can see clouds and some blue water

Waverly Beach
Located at the south end of Helena Street and Edgemere Road, along the Fort Erie Friendship Trail.

Waverly Beach offers a little of everything for the true nature and history lover. With a beautiful view of the Buffalo Waterfront Wind Turbines, Waverly Beach offers grassy woodland trails and benches, a sandy beach bordered by the beautiful remains of the historical Waverly Beach pool and dance hall. Free parking, washrooms and ample seating available.

 

LAKE ERIE ACCESS POINTS

In addition to the Town’s six waterfront parks, a variety of public access points connect to the shores of Lake Erie.

These ‘Windows to the Lake’ vary in character from sandy beach to rocky and naturalized shoreline, and are located at the end of Prospect Point Road*, Burleigh Road, Centralia Road, Windmill Point Road, Stonemill Road*, Bertie Bay Road, Buffalo Road, Kraft Road*, Rose Avenue, Pierce Avenue and Beachview Avenue.

Boat launching is permitted at those access points denoted with an asterisk. Please be aware that these locations are unimproved and do not offer any launch facilities or support. Use at your own risk.


BEACH  MONITORING

In an effort to keep beaches, citizens and visitors safe the Niagara Region, Public Health Department collects weekly water samples from the Fort Erie public beaches. To obtain water quality reports for Fort Erie and Niagara Region beaches, contact the Region of Niagara at 905-685-1571, or visit the Region’s beach monitoring website.

ACCESSIBILITY

The Town has purchased accessible beach mats for community events and for use by persons with a disability that require assistance accessing the beachfront. Please note that presently the Town has only one set of mats available for use throughout the Town. If mats are required at any of the Town beachfronts, please call ahead to ensure that the mats can be transferred.

Contact Community Liaison, Al Stouffer, at 905-871-1600 ext. 2543 to request a Community Event application form.

NO LIFEGUARD SUPERVISION
Please note that there is no lifeguarding supervision at any of Fort Erie's Waterfront Parks or access points