Waterfront

The City of Pickering and Durham Region Transit have teamed up for a fourth year to offer a free weekend waterfront route (Route 100*) to get you to and from all of your favourite waterfront activities.

The seasonal service, starting June 29 and ending September 7, 2026, will operate on weekends and Statutory Holidays, including July 1, August 3, and September 7.  

Route 100 will operate on a loop every 20 minutes, from 12 pm to 9 pm, and will provide transit from Pickering City Centre to the waterfront.

The waterfront route will also now include a New Summer Thursday Service, which will operate every 20 minutes from 7 pm to 9:30 pm. 

*Free-fares apply only to Route 100, when boarding all other routes, standard fares apply.

View the Waterfront Route web page for information sheet and times.

The City’s waterfront paid parking permit program is in effect from May 1 to October 1, annually.

The program includes paid parking at all City waterfront parking lots, and restricted/paid parking on select waterfront-area streets.

Pickering residents can obtain a no-charge seasonal permit that will be valid for two years from the date of issue. This means that residents who obtained a permit in 2025 will need to renew in 2027, and may park at no charge in waterfront parking lots and at waterfront area streets.

Visit pickering.ca/WaterfrontParking for details. 

Please be mindful of local By-laws when enjoying Pickering’s waterfront areas.

• Summer enforcement officers are scheduled daily, including additional staffing over every weekend until October 1, 2026.
• Regularly scheduled Parking Enforcement, By-law Enforcement, and Animal Services staff will be available each weekend.
• 24/7 security cameras are also available at Beachfront Park and Beachpoint Promenade. This video footage is used to assist DRPS with any investigations arising from waterfront activity.
• Contact Customer Care with questions or concerns at 905.683.7575 or by email.
• Access Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) non-emergency line at 1.888.579.1520. 

The current Fireworks By-law allows residents to set off fireworks on their own property throughout the Victoria Day and Canada Day weekends, including Friday through Monday for the Victoria Day weekend, and only on July 1st for Canada Day.

• Fireworks are not permitted on City property.
• Reports of non-compliance can be made to the Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) non-emergency line at 1.888.579.1520 or the City’s Customer Care Centre at 905.683.7575. 

Pickering Fire reminds community members that open air burning is not permitted in the City of Pickering.

• The use of chimineas, bonfires, and wood-burning appliances is prohibited.
• Fire bowls, fire tables, and barbecues that burn propane are permitted.
• If you witness an active open-air burn, you can report the incident to Pickering Fire’s non-emergency line at 905.433.1234 or by email.

Waterfront security patrols will be scheduled on the evenings of long weekends during the summer season. The service will be provided on: May 16, 17 & 18; June 29, 30 & July 1; August 1, 2 & 3; and, September 5, 6 & 7.

• All City outdoor washroom buildings are open 8 am to 9 pm, seven days a week.
• The portable washroom will be placed at Whitevale Park on Friday, April 17th for the opening of trout fishing season. All other portable washrooms will be placed the week of May 4th and will be serviced every Monday and Friday.
• Linton House (on Montgomery Park Road) and all other park washrooms are open seven days a week as of May 4th from 9 am to 10 pm, as signed.
• Additional weekend staff are scheduled to assist with litter picking and garbage collection, with extra support for long-weekends.
• Contact Customer Care for questions or concerns at 905.683.7575 or by email.

Together we are keeping Pickering’s waterfront areas safe and clean for all to enjoy.  

Improperly disposed of fishing lines pose a major safety risk to wildlife, people, and property.

The City has fishing line receptacles installed along Pickering’s waterfront to help ensure that all fishing lines can be properly disposed of, and that the area is kept safe for all.  

Visit pickering.ca/fishing to learn more about the receptacles and proper fishing etiquette.

Littering and illegal dumping are not harmless habits - they damage our environment, threaten wildlife, drain public resources, and take a real toll on the community we all share.

In spring 2025, the City of Pickering launched a bold campaign to push back against careless and illegal behaviour and empower residents to speak up. Since then, more than 300 cases have been reported through the City’s Customer Care Centre - a 25 per cent increase that shows the community is paying attention and taking action.

That action is making a difference. Municipal Law Enforcement has increased patrols in high-complaint areas and continues to pursue charges where evidence permits. Since the campaign began, the City has laid more than 45 charges for illegal dumping, sending a clear message that this behaviour will not be ignored.

When charges cannot be laid, the City continues the work through education, awareness, and community outreach. Recent efforts include a printed pamphlet with a multilingual explainer in Pickering’s top eight languages, along with an online guide that can be translated into more than 100 languages.

A cleaner Pickering starts with all of us. When the community reports, responds, and stands together, we are stronger - and those who disrespect our city are put on notice.

When reporting illegal dumping, please provide as much information as possible (description of individuals, vehicle plates, locations, and photos if available). Call 905.683.7575 or email Customer Care.

Notice of Rouge Beach and Great Lakes Waterfront Trail Closure

Service Disruption Notice issued on behalf of Parks Canada

Purpose: Rouge National Urban Park Service Disruption - Rouge Beach Improvements Project

Duration: November 2025 to Spring 2027

This notice is being shared by the City of Pickering as a courtesy to help inform residents and stakeholders. The Rouge Beach Improvements Project is fully planned, managed and communicated by Parks Canada, Government of Canada.

This initiative, first introduced in 2012 and identified in the 2019 Rouge National Urban Park Management Plan, will enhance and further protect the natural and cultural integrity of the area and foster meaningful connections to the Rouge’s beauty and rich history.

Shaped through extensive Indigenous, public and stakeholder engagement led by Parks Canada, the Rouge Beach Improvements Project will feature elevated boardwalks and bridges to protect sensitive wetlands while providing safer access to the marsh and beach. It will restore degraded wetland and forest habitat, enhancing conditions for native species and species at risk and include measures to address shoreline erosion and flooding, all of which will support the long-term resilience and sustainability of this popular area for wildlife and visitors.

The Rouge Beach Improvement Project will focus on:

• a new, accessible 2.3-kilometre formalized trail linking Rouge Beach to Mast Trail;
• ecological restoration throughout Rouge Marsh;
• improvements to the upper beach parking area, including a new permanent washroom facility;
• an improved entrance with an accessible ramp to the new trailhead, beach and marsh; and,
• the decommissioning and re-naturalizing of the lower beach parking lot.

For more information, visit the Parks Canada Rouge Beach Improvements Project page.

While access to Rouge Beach is closed, visitors are encouraged to explore one of the nearby public beach and waterfront park destinations maintained by the City of Toronto and the City of Pickering. For a list of destinations and important information regarding lifeguard supervision and water safety, visit:

• City of Pickering – Waterfront 
• City of Toronto – Beaches

"For the Muskoka chair painting project celebrating Durham’s 50th anniversary, I aimed to create a vibrant, inclusive piece that reflects the rich diversity and iconic landmarks of Durham and Pickering. The design showcases various elements that highlight the community's spirit and natural beauty.

The chair's backrest features a cyclist against the backdrop one of our iconic lighthouses, symbolizing the active lifestyle and picturesque scenery that Durham offers. Other figures include people engaged in leisure activities attempting to capture the community's relaxed, welcoming nature.

The armrests and seat are adorned with local wildlife, including a colourful fish, goose and raccoon, representing the region's rich biodiversity. The inclusion of a diverse range of people throughout the design emphasizes the multicultural fabric of our community. The use of bold, vibrant colours and dynamic lines aims to convey the energy and vitality of Durham.

Central to the seat is the “Durham 50” emblem, paying homage to the milestone anniversary. The integration of landmarks and local fauna aims to foster a sense of pride and belonging among residents and visitors alike.

Painting this chair live at Art Fest was an incredible experience, allowing me to engage with the community and share the creative process. The interactive aspect of the event provided a platform to discuss the significance of each element in the design, making the artwork a collaborative celebration of Durham’s heritage.

I hope this chair serves as a lasting tribute to our vibrant community and inspires continued appreciation for the diverse beauty and cultural richness of Durham and Pickering.”