Waterfront Design Plan

A new Waterfront Design Plan is coming to Sault Ste. Marie!

Tourism Sault Ste. Marie, in partnership with the City of Sault Ste. Marie and Destination Northern Ontario, is developing a Waterfront Design Plan.

Taking into consideration existing infrastructure along the waterfront, this initiative presents an opportunity to develop a plan that will support opportunities for tourism, community and economic development, and placemaking, and has the potential to transform our existing waterfront to a world-class feature and put Sault Ste. Marie “on the map.”

We are looking for community support to help shape the waterfront!

This Waterfront Design Planning process focuses on the concept of a destination waterfront from the Canal District to Bondar Marina and from the Bushplane to the previous hospital sites, including connecting links to Queen St. and the downtown plaza (East St., Brock St., Spring St., Elgin St.) to increase tourism and economic development opportunities and support place making and quality of life for local residents. The plan will guide what the future of these lands will look like by defining the vision and strategic directions together.

Residents, community organizations, landowners, business owners and other community stakeholders all have an opportunity to influence the decisions about how the Sault Ste. Marie waterfront will take shape and what role these lands will have in our future.

We are currently in the first phase of the project and are seeking your ideas and insights to guide the direction of this unique, community-defining opportunity. Your feedback will be used to develop draft Design Concepts. These concepts will be shared with the public for review and feedback in Spring 2024.

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on the future of Sault Ste. Marie’s waterfront! The survey will take 10-15 minutes to complete and will close on January 5, 2024.

Note: Please do not share any personal information within your survey responses.

Current State:

This section asks you to reflect on your current experiences along Sault Ste. Marie's waterfront.

On average, how often do you visit the Sault Ste. Marie waterfront?

Daily

Weekly

A few times per month

Monthly

A few times per year or less

One time per year or less

Never

Closed to responses

On average, how often do you visit the Sault Ste. Marie waterfront during the winter months (e.g. November to March)?

Daily

Weekly

A few times per month

Monthly

A few times per year

One time per year or less

Never

Closed to responses

How do you usually travel to the waterfront? Select one

Personal vehicle

Taxi or rideshare

Public transportation

Walking

Cycling

Other (please describe)

Closed to responses

When you visit Sault Ste. Marie's Waterfront, what types of activities do you participate in? Select all that apply.

Walking

Running

Wheeling (e.g. biking, rollerblading)

Swimming or wading in the water

Water sports (e.g. paddle boarding, kayaking)

Playing sports (self-organized)

Playing sports (as part of a league or team)

Taking my child(ren) to play

Walking my dog

Having a picnic

Quiet contemplation and relaxation

Spending time in nature

Visiting a museum

Going to a market

Not applicable (I do not go to the waterfront)

Other (please describe)

Closed to responses

Which of the following barriers do you experience in accessing the waterfront? Select all that apply.

The waterfront is not accessible (e.g. physical barriers)

The waterfront does not feel welcoming

The waterfront does not feel safe

The waterfront does not have the features or amenities I would like to use

The waterfront is difficult to travel to

I am not sure what to do at the waterfront

I am not interested in visiting the waterfront

Other (please describe)

Closed to responses

What do you think is the biggest challenge for Sault Ste. Marie waterfront to overcome?

Closed for Comments

Share a waterfront memory! This could be a story about your time on the waterfront, your favourite spot, or a unique piece of information about the area.

Closed for Comments

What three words would you use to describe the waterfront as it exists today?

Closed to responses

Future Visition for the Waterfront

This section asks you to imagine your future for Sault Ste. Marie's waterfront.

What three words would you use to describe your vision for the future of the waterfront?

Closed for Comments

Which of the following themes do you think is most important to incorporate into the design of the waterfront? Select your preferred theme.

Connection to the water's edge

Connection to nature

Industrial history

Indigenous history

Experience the seasons

Other (please describe)

Closed to responses

Is there anything that would make the waterfront a more welcoming and enjoyable place for you (e.g. make you visit more often, make you feel more welcome)? Please share your vision for this area.

Closed for Comments

What are some other waterfronts around the world you think Sault Ste. Marie could learn from? What do you love about them?

Closed for Comments

Site Opportunities

This section asks you to describe the types of experiences and activities you'd like to participate in along the waterfront in the future.

Which of the following activities would you like to participate in when you visit Sault Ste. Marie's Waterfront? Select all that apply.

Walking

Running

Wheeling (e.g. biking, rollerblading)

Swimming or wading in the water

Water sports (e.g. paddle boarding, kayaking)

Playing sports (self organized)

Playing sports (as part of a league or team)

Exercise (e.g. outdoor fitness equipment, fitness classes)

Taking my child(ren) to play

Walking my dog

Having a picnic

Quiet contemplation and relaxation

Spending time in nature

Visiting a museum

Shopping and dining

None of the above

Other (please describe)

Closed to responses

Which of the following events and programming would you like to participate in when you visit Sault Ste. Marie's waterfront? Select all that apply.

Markets (e.g. weekly farmer's market)

Large events (e.g. concerts and festivals)

Small events (e.g. community gathering, cultural events)

Tourism experiences (e.g. tours, cruises along the water)

Pop-ups (e.g. holiday markets, temporary events)

Public art installations

Other (please describe)

Closed to responses

How important do you think each of the following elements are to the future of the waterfront?

Social and Community

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Recreation

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History, Culture & Arts

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Environment & Health

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Housing & Employment

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If you were to prioritize one section of the waterfront for investment and revitalization, which section would you prefer to see resources directed to? Select your most preferred option

Section 1: Canal District (includes areas near Agawa Canyon Tour Train, Algoma Conservatory of Music and Gateway Casinos)

Section 2: Mall District (includes areas near Station Mall and GFL Memorial Gardens)

Section 3 - Harbour District (includes areas near Roberta Bondar Park and Tent Pavillion, Roberta Bondar Marina, City Hall and John Rowswell Hub Trail Monument)

Section 4: Cultural District (includes areas near Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, Art Gallery of Algoma and Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site)

Section 5: Community Health District (includes areas near the old hospital, Ministry of Natural Resources and Riverwalk Condos)

Other (please describe)

Closed to responses

About You

The following section asks questions about you. These questions are optional; however, they assist the project team in understanding how different user groups experience Sault Ste. Marie's waterfront and to ensure that all user groups feel like they belong and can participate in activities that are meaningful to them.

I have lived in Sault Ste. Marie for less than 5 years

I am a parent to children under the age of 18

I am a dog owner

I am First Nations (status, non-status, treaty or non-treaty), Inuit or Métis

I identify as a visible minority

I was born outside of Canada

I moved to Canada within the last 5 years

I have a disability (visible or invisible)

I identify as LGBTQ2S+

Prefer not to answer

Other (please describe if you wish)

Closed to responses

What is your postal code?

Closed for Comments

What is your gender?

Male

Female

Prefer not to answer

Gender Diverse (describe if you wish)

Closed to responses

How old are you?

12 years old

13-18

19-24

25-39

40-64

65-79

80 and over

Prefer not to answer

Closed to responses

planned

Phase 1 - Creating the Vision

(December 2023-January 2024)

Create a collective vision and strategic goals for the future of the waterfront.

complete

Community Input

Pop Up Information Booths:

Wednesday, December 13 and Thursday, December 14 at the Station Mall (293 Bay Street) from 6-9pm
Wednesday, December 13 and Thursday, December 14 at the Soo Market (73 Brock Street) from 6-9pm

Online Survey:

Available now until January 5, 2024

planned

Phase 2: Design Concepts

(January 2024 - March 2024)

Present design concepts for the overall waterfront project area and focal areas.

planned

Phase 3: Final Waterfront Design Plan

(March 2024)

Share and celebrate the final Waterfront Design Plan.

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Waterfront Design Plan

Waterfront Design Plan

Question title

On average, how often do you visit the Sault Ste. Marie waterfront?

Question title

On average, how often do you visit the Sault Ste. Marie waterfront during the winter months (e.g. November to March)?

Question title

How do you usually travel to the waterfront? Select one

Question title

When you visit Sault Ste. Marie's Waterfront, what types of activities do you participate in? Select all that apply.

Question title

Which of the following barriers do you experience in accessing the waterfront? Select all that apply.

Question title

What do you think is the biggest challenge for Sault Ste. Marie waterfront to overcome?

Question title

Share a waterfront memory! This could be a story about your time on the waterfront, your favourite spot, or a unique piece of information about the area.

Question title

What three words would you use to describe the waterfront as it exists today?

Question title

What three words would you use to describe your vision for the future of the waterfront?

Question title

Which of the following themes do you think is most important to incorporate into the design of the waterfront? Select your preferred theme.

Question title

Is there anything that would make the waterfront a more welcoming and enjoyable place for you (e.g. make you visit more often, make you feel more welcome)? Please share your vision for this area.

Question title

What are some other waterfronts around the world you think Sault Ste. Marie could learn from? What do you love about them?

Question title

Which of the following activities would you like to participate in when you visit Sault Ste. Marie's Waterfront? Select all that apply.

Question title

Which of the following events and programming would you like to participate in when you visit Sault Ste. Marie's waterfront? Select all that apply.

Question title

How important do you think each of the following elements are to the future of the waterfront?

Question title

Recreation

Question title

History, Culture & Arts

Question title

Environment & Health

Question title

Housing & Employment

Question title

If you were to prioritize one section of the waterfront for investment and revitalization, which section would you prefer to see resources directed to? Select your most preferred option

Question title

Question title

What is your postal code?

Question title

What is your gender?

Question title

How old are you?

Phase 1 - Creating the Vision

Community Input

Phase 2: Design Concepts

Phase 3: Final Waterfront Design Plan