Cecil and Wilma Graham Park Improvements

Cecil and Wilma Graham Park is an undeveloped waterfront park located at 201 Aragon Road. The park fronts the north shore of Colonel By Lake, in Esther Marsh Bay. A new boat ramp is planned for construction in 2026/2027, in accordance with the City of Kingston's Parks and Recreation Master Plans. Other minor park improvements are also planned as part of this work and are described and shown in the images below.

Detailed Map showcasing concept for upgrading the park. Features include parking areas, a boat ramp, a new dock, a picnic area, and tree plantings. Below the map is a side view of the landscape, that shows parking, picnic area, the proposed dock and new trees for shade.


The following list describes some elements of the project, with artistic renderings provided above and below:

  • Maintain the park’s combined rural and natural environment: The proposed design attempts to minimize site alterations by taking advantage of existing open areas to improve access to the natural features of the site.
  • Gravel access road: The driveway entrance is shown west of the existing private driveway across the street which will minimize the disturbance to the neighbour while providing adequate lines-of-sight for vehicles. The shoulders of the access road, north of the formal parking areas, will be widened to accommodate additional overflow roadside parking on busy days. A turnaround area will near the intersection with Aragon Road will allow vehicle turnaround within the park space, instead of along Aragon Road.
  • Boat ramp: The boat ramp will constructed using precast concrete panels, to reduce maintenance requirements, and will include a floating dock for loading, and hammerhead for vehicle and trailer turnaround for launching. Further refinements to the design will include non-motorized craft launching.
  • Parking considerations: Two parking areas are planned, one to either side of the access road. To the northeast, parking for vehicles with trailers will be delineated by wood fencing. To the southwest, parking for a small number of vehicles without trailers will be provided, for access to the trail, bench and picnic areas, or for car-top watercraft.
  • Picnic area and pathway: A small picnic area will be created near the boat ramp and made accessible from a pathway that will connect the boat ramp area to the west end of the park. The west end of the park contains an existing gravel parking area and roundabout. The west gravel parking area provides access to unmaintained provincial crown land, to the south.
Next steps include completing the procurement documents, acquiring permits and environmental approvals, and final budget approval. Construction start up is anticipated in 2026.

A map of the park area, with precedent images of project elements including a picnic table, a granular path, plants and a boat launch.

Survey

Please share your thoughts on the refined design by completing a short survey before July 6.

Cecil and Wilma Graham Park is an undeveloped waterfront park located at 201 Aragon Road. The park fronts the north shore of Colonel By Lake, in Esther Marsh Bay. A new boat ramp is planned for construction in 2026/2027, in accordance with the City of Kingston's Parks and Recreation Master Plans. Other minor park improvements are also planned as part of this work and are described and shown in the images below.

Detailed Map showcasing concept for upgrading the park. Features include parking areas, a boat ramp, a new dock, a picnic area, and tree plantings. Below the map is a side view of the landscape, that shows parking, picnic area, the proposed dock and new trees for shade.


The following list describes some elements of the project, with artistic renderings provided above and below:

  • Maintain the park’s combined rural and natural environment: The proposed design attempts to minimize site alterations by taking advantage of existing open areas to improve access to the natural features of the site.
  • Gravel access road: The driveway entrance is shown west of the existing private driveway across the street which will minimize the disturbance to the neighbour while providing adequate lines-of-sight for vehicles. The shoulders of the access road, north of the formal parking areas, will be widened to accommodate additional overflow roadside parking on busy days. A turnaround area will near the intersection with Aragon Road will allow vehicle turnaround within the park space, instead of along Aragon Road.
  • Boat ramp: The boat ramp will constructed using precast concrete panels, to reduce maintenance requirements, and will include a floating dock for loading, and hammerhead for vehicle and trailer turnaround for launching. Further refinements to the design will include non-motorized craft launching.
  • Parking considerations: Two parking areas are planned, one to either side of the access road. To the northeast, parking for vehicles with trailers will be delineated by wood fencing. To the southwest, parking for a small number of vehicles without trailers will be provided, for access to the trail, bench and picnic areas, or for car-top watercraft.
  • Picnic area and pathway: A small picnic area will be created near the boat ramp and made accessible from a pathway that will connect the boat ramp area to the west end of the park. The west end of the park contains an existing gravel parking area and roundabout. The west gravel parking area provides access to unmaintained provincial crown land, to the south.
Next steps include completing the procurement documents, acquiring permits and environmental approvals, and final budget approval. Construction start up is anticipated in 2026.

A map of the park area, with precedent images of project elements including a picnic table, a granular path, plants and a boat launch.

Survey

Please share your thoughts on the refined design by completing a short survey before July 6.

Page last updated: 19 Jun 2025, 10:58 AM