Station Beach Boardwalk Improvements | Municipality of Kincardine

The Station Beach Boardwalk is a well-loved feature of Kincardine’s waterfront. Over time, the wooden structure has deteriorated due to age, sand buildup, and weather exposure. The surface has shifted and loosened in several areas, creating safety and accessibility concerns.

Following extensive study and community engagement, Council approved the final design and surface material in March 2025.

Summer 2026

Project Update – Station Beach Boardwalk

The Station Beach Boardwalk replacement project is now substantially complete and the boardwalk is fully open for public use.

The completed project provides a safer, more accessible, and more enjoyable waterfront experience while supporting the long-term sustainability of Station Beach. Sections of the boardwalk have been relocated closer to the existing parking area, creating space for new dune areas that will help keep more sand on the beach and reduce sand accumulation on the boardwalk and in the parking lot. These improvements help protect the shoreline while maintaining the natural character of the waterfront that residents and visitors value.

The project also included new modular wood boardwalk sections, accessible concrete entranceways, an upgraded lookout area, new landscaping, and underground conduit to support future boardwalk lighting. Installation of the new light standards is scheduled for August 2026.

The contractor has completed all scheduled construction and landscaping work. The only remaining contractor item is the installation of seasonal sand fencing, which will take place this fall as part of the Municipality's annual beach management program. Municipal gardening staff and volunteers will continue to maintain the landscaped garden beds throughout the summer.

Thank you to residents, visitors, and local businesses for their patience and understanding throughout construction. We invite everyone to visit Station Beach and enjoy the renewed boardwalk and waterfront.

Helpful Information

Why is the boardwalk replacement necessary?

The existing boardwalk has reached the end of its useful life in several locations.
Sand movement, shifting foundations, and general wear have led to uneven surfaces and increased maintenance needs.
Sections of the boardwalk will be moved closer to the existing parking area, to provide space for dune creation which will help keep more sand on the beach and away from the boardwalk and parking lot.
Replacing and realigning key sections will ensure the space remains safe, accessible, and sustainable for years to come.

What's changing?

Approximately half of the boardwalk—from the boat launch to just before the south washroom—will be fully replaced.
Additional sections will be relocated slightly closer to the existing parking area to create space for new dune formation intended to help control sand migration.
Stamped concrete will be used only at the main access points.
The majority of the new boardwalk surface will be wood construction, as directed by Council.
Garden plots will remain in approximately the same location, with minor adjustments as needed.
Updated irrigation and drainage improvements will help protect the site long-term.

Construction timeline

Start Date: Late November 2025
Estimated Completion: Spring 2026 (weather dependent)

Construction activity will continue through the winter when conditions allow. To ensure safety, the public is asked to avoid all fenced-off areas until work is complete.

Looking ahead

Once complete, the improved Station Beach Boardwalk will offer a safer, more accessible, and more beautiful waterfront experience. The combination of relocated sections, new dune areas, and updated materials will support long-term sustainability while maintaining the natural character residents value.

Community and Environmental Considerations

This project is part of the 2023 Waterfront Master Plan and reflects feedback from community engagement sessions held in 2023 and 2024.

The Municipality has worked closely with:

Lake Huron Coastal Centre
Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority
Accessibility Advisory Committee
Station Beach Garden volunteers (who will replant gardens once work is complete)

Relevant reports

Contact the Project Team

Mike Di Giovanni
Manager, Parks and Facilities
Municipality of Kincardine
mdigiovanni@kincardine.ca
519-396-3491 x 7315