Kingston City Council Focuses on Waterfront Recreation and Policy Reviews

Kingston City Council focused on waterfront recreation proposals, including an added $400,000 for an enhanced swimming dock project at Confederation Basin and staff work to secure permits that could support a future inflatable water park at Grass Creek Park. Council also debated changes to its ice allocation policy and dressing room access rules, reviewed the launch of the city's special constable program, discussed enforcement limits for naturalized yards, and approved several heritage, planning, and routine bylaw items.

Topics Discussed

1. WATERFRONT RECREATION: Confederation Basin dock funding and possible Grass Creek water park

Council considered CAO Report 51 on the Confederation Basin swimming dock and water play area after a private sponsorship for an inflatable water park fell through. Staff said the additional $400,000 would fund "the expanded water platform" along with washroom and change-room facilities. Councillor Jeff McLaren said, "I just have some questions related to costs and 400,000 dollars for a washroom and change room and the swimming platform. Um, how much of that is the washroom. It's expensive." Commissioner Campbell replied, "The 400,000 dollars is for the expanded water platform if we were to arrive in a circumstance where the water was deemed unsafe."

Council also discussed staff's request to pursue approvals that could allow a future inflatable water park at Grass Creek Park. Commissioner Kevill said, "What staff are requesting is direction of council to secure those opportunities so that if an opportunity to install an inflatable water park were to come forward, we would be in a more favorable position to support that opportunity." Staff said the permitting process would involve provincial and federal agencies and could take several years.

Councillor Gary Oosterhof questioned whether residents would have another chance to weigh in on the Grass Creek location, saying he was "concerned about the impact of unenflatable water park almost wherever it goes" and was "not convinced it would be acceptive at Brant's Creek." Staff also said parking and access would need more work. Ms. Huckersman said, "On a really busy day, it can be quite busy out there," and said options could include "shuttles" and "offsite lots with shuttles to the park."

2. ICE ALLOCATION POLICY: Dressing rooms and language review

Council debated a motion directing staff to review and amend the city's Ice Allocation Policy and Guidelines for the 2026-27 ice season, with a report back by the end of summer 2026.

The discussion focused on dressing room access and policy language. One speaker told council, "I'm here to advocate that the city of Kingston abandon the sex-based language going forward," arguing that current wording contributes to "the systemic erasure of intersex people" and discrimination against trans people. Another speaker added, "I also wanted to take this opportunity to communicate that the erasure of intersex and non-binary individuals is rarely intentional, but it is detrimental to everyone alike."

Deputy Mayor Wendy Stephen said, "Whereas creating equitable access to appropriate dedicated gender specific dressing room spaces is an important component of fostering inclusive, respectful and supportive sport environments." Council approved the motion as amended.

3. SPECIAL CONSTABLE PROGRAM

Council reviewed the city's special constable program ahead of its launch on July 1. Commissioner Agnew said, "We're very excited. We've had, um, a number of months of training and we'll have a compliment of eight special constables that will be starting work as of July 1st."

Staff said the program is intended to provide a visible public safety presence at municipal facilities and in public spaces. Commissioner Ayrton said, "The goal is to provide a visible, professional, and accountable public safety presence while supporting compliance, enhancing staff, and public safety."

Council members asked about uniforms, supervision, and public reporting. Director Campo said the officers' outerwear would be yellow "for high visibility" so they are distinguishable. Councillor Don Amos was told the city plans to publish program data online. He said, "So there is going to be some data that we're going to be able to share publicly," including "statistics reporting and what this program's all about."

4. PROPERTY STANDARDS AND NATURALIZED YARDS

Council discussed how property standards bylaws apply to naturalized lawns and unkempt yard complaints. Staff said enforcement must be based on health and safety, not appearance alone.

Miss Morley told council, "We do have the benefit of two Ontario Superior Court of Justice decisions on this topic now where the courts have held that naturalized lawns have been recognised in certain circumstances as a protected form of expression." Councillor Brandon Tozzo summarized the issue by saying, "If the concerns are purely aesthetic in nature and are subjective, the city doesn't enforce its bylaws in a way that would impair someone's right to freedom of expression through gardening."

Council also discussed whether more public guidance is needed on how complaints are handled, but no bylaw change was approved in the excerpt provided.

5. HERITAGE, PLANNING, AND OTHER BUSINESS

Council approved heritage applications for 226 and 228 King Street East and 166 West Street, including an amendment related to window specifications at 166 West Street. It also approved annual brownfield tax rebates for 223 Princess Street.

A zoning amendment for 3119 and 3123 Princess Street passed on an 11-1 vote.

Council also dealt with routine procedural items, proclamations, and bylaws, and received or addressed closed-session matters including Lemoine Point Farm, Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board surplus sites and a Highway 2 property matter.

Motions

Passed: - June designated as Seniors Month - Motion of condolence for Walter Finland - Review and amend the Ice Allocation Policy and Guidelines to support equitable access for dressing room spaces - Ontario Heritage Act approval for 226 and 228 King Street East - Ontario Heritage Act approval for 166 West Street, with amendment - Annual brownfield tax rebates for 223 Princess Street - Zoning amendment for 3119 and 3123 Princess Street, 11-1 - Minutes of the May 19, 2026 council meeting (File 2026-13) - Bylaws 1-6 and 8, first and second readings; Bylaws 2-8, third reading

Attendees

Council members listed for this meeting: - Mayor Bryan Paterson - Councillor Don Amos - Councillor Jeff McLaren - Councillor Gary Oosterhof - Councillor Conny Glenn - Councillor Brandon Tozzo - Councillor Paul Chaves - Councillor Lisa Osanic - Councillor Ryan Boehme - Deputy Mayor Wendy Stephen - Councillor Jimmy Hassan - Councillor Gregory Ridge - Councillor Vincent Cinanni