Scugog Township has unveiled four draft conceptual designs for the future of the Port Perry Fairgrounds, with all four proposals retaining the historic outdoor arena as promised by council.
The concepts were presented at the Your Voice, Your Fairgrounds interactive community workshop on May 13, where Scugog and Port Perry residents reviewed the options and provided feedback on which elements and amenities they preferred.
Each of the four concepts preserves the fairgrounds arena, which has been home to the Port Perry Fair since 1886. Beyond that core commitment, the designs explore a range of amenities for the site:
An urban farm and community garden is featured in the proposals, designed as a productive open-space area supporting small-scale agriculture, shared gardening, and community gathering in a public and accessible setting. A wooded urban forest concept provides habitat with indigenous species and creates spaces for passive recreation and enjoyment of nature. A hillside amphitheatre is included as a gathering space integrated into the landscape for viewing performances, ceremonies, and community events. A neighbourhood park rounds out the key amenities.
One concept incorporated all four amenities, while the other three each integrated three of the four. The draft concepts are exploratory planning tools intended to help better understand community values, priorities, opportunities, and concerns. They do not represent a final proposal, decision, or direction.
The concepts build on key themes identified during the first round of community engagement, which gathered input from more than one thousand residents and stakeholders over the past six months. Five key themes emerged from that process: strengthening community connection, honouring heritage while looking forward, designing for flexibility and shared use, protecting and enhancing open accessible green space, and stewardship over time.
Toronto-based consultants Darwin Pivot were hired by Scugog Township in September to produce the visioning exercise. The interim report released in early March highlighted overwhelming public support for the annual Port Perry Fair and for maintaining the park as a public space for the entire community to enjoy.
Port Perry Agricultural Society President Paul Puckrin acknowledged the comprehensive report and solid process, expressing satisfaction with the strong public backing for both the fair and the preservation of the parkland.
Community concerns about the site’s future were first raised when the agricultural society’s lease was not automatically renewed last April. Fears centred on potential sale to developers, amplified when Scugog Mayor Wilma Wotten acknowledged the visioning exercise may include the eventual sale of the park. The rhetoric has since softened, with the township assuring the agricultural society and residents that the Port Perry Fair can continue at the fairgrounds at least through this year.
Residents had until May 22 to provide feedback on the concepts through digital mapping and commenting tools on the project page. The final report to council will be debated at a Scugog Council meeting scheduled for June 22.
