TLTI backs Rotary proposal to revitalize Gray’s Beach Parkette

One of the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands’s most popular waterfront destinations could soon receive a major facelift after council unanimously endorsed a proposal to revitalize the Gray’s Beach Parkette.

During Monday’s committee of the whole meeting, the Rotary Club of Gananoque presented plans to restore and enhance the parkette along the Thousand Islands Parkway, describing the site as a small but significant community asset that serves both residents and visitors throughout the year.

The proposal calls for improvements over 2026 and 2027, including upgraded parking, new picnic tables, including accessible seating, as well as additional benches and Adirondack chairs, natural stone seating areas, native landscaping, improved signs and stabilization of the existing stone staircase leading to the beach. A new handrail would also be installed to improve safety.

“It’s small but quite crucial to our township community,” Rotary Club representative Whitney Kilgore told council. “We want to beautify Gray’s Beach. We want to add conveniences to users of the beach.”

Gray’s Beach has long been a destination for kayakers, canoeists, swimmers, cyclists, hikers, dog walkers and travellers seeking public access to the St. Lawrence River.

In its presentation, the Rotary Club described the parkette as an important gathering place that has provided recreational and educational opportunities for generations.

The club has partnered with the St. Lawrence Parks Commission on the proposed revitalization and is seeking funding through grants. As part of that process, it requested a letter of support from the township.

Mayor Corinna Smith-Gatcke spoke in favour of the proposal, describing Gray’s Beach as an important public space within the municipality.

“It is a heavily used part of the municipality,” she said, adding that safety improvements should be incorporated into the project.

Coun. Todd Robertson, who said he frequently visits Gray’s Beach, also voiced his support while noting parking has become an ongoing challenge.

“My observation is there’s not enough parking,” he said.

Kilgore responded that improvements to parking and traffic flow form part of the proposed revitalization plan.

Following the discussion, council unanimously approved a motion supporting the Rotary Club’s request for a letter of support, a step intended to strengthen future grant applications and partnership agreements as this project moves forward.

Keith Dempsey is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Brockville Recorder and Times. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.