Lakeside Park is a spacious public beach park located in Port Dalhousie, the north of St. Catharines.

Its neighborhood is a small but somewhat lively tourist area where cozy cafes and restaurants can be found.

The park is overall well maintained and clean.

While visiting the park, quite a few other visitors may be seen regardless of the season.

It is a good place to enjoy beach-related activities and a lively mood beside the lake.

A long and spacious sandy beach area (1,500 feet) in the park faces Lake Ontario, where visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing or playing beach volleyball in summer season.

In the beach area, some volleyball nets are placed.

A small distance away from the beach area, there is also a spacious lawn area with a path and benches.

The path is a part of Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail.

An area for kids to play in is also spacious.

The park also has a facility in which visitors can change their clothes or enjoy a picnic meal under a roof.

Public washrooms are also available on site.

In summer season, a stall is open at which visitors can buy beverages and ice creams.

Visitors can even enjoy riding on an antique merry-go-round on site for five cents in summertime.

A little away from the beach area, a number of boats could be found at a dock.

The park's history dates back to the early 1920's.

It was originally owned by The Canadian National Steamship Company.

Back then, people were transported from Toronto to Port Dalhousie, crossing Lake Ontario by boats and ferries.

In summer time, people visited the park and enjoyed sunbathing and picnics.

Ferries used to bring people in to Port Dalhousie across the lake on a daily basis.

The carousel which can be found in the park today was installed at this time.

Visitors would have a fun night at a dance hall in the park in the big band era of the 1920's and 30's.

"In 1930 the park was sold and operated under private ownership for the next 20 years." (Exploring Niagara)

In the 1940's, the park was still attracting visitors well. At that time, more and more visitors started to come to the park by car.

After a railroad was laid between Port Dalhousie and the City of St. Catharines, trolleys brought people around the area in to the park.

It is estimated that the park would receive 6,000 to 8,000 visitors in a day in summer season.

The park is still attracting both local and non-local visitors today.

A variety of fauna could be also found in the park such as ducks.

Owned and managed by City of St. Catharines.

A free large parking area is available on site.

The park is accessible by wheelchairs.

Exploring Niagara. (2014). Lakeside Park and Beach. Retrieved December 11, 2018, from

http://www.exploringniagara.com/places_to_explore/parks_beaches/lakeside_park_beach.html

Coaster Enthusiasts of Canada. (n.d.). Closed Canadian Parks: Port Dalhousie. Retrieved December 11, 2018, from

http://cec.chebucto.org/ClosPark/Lakeside.html

St. Catharines. (2014). Lakeside Park: Facility details. Retrieved December 11, 2018, from

https://www.stcatharines.ca/en/facilities/Detail.aspx?CategoryIds=&FacilityTypeIds=&Keywords=lakeside&ScrollMap=true&CloseMap=false&id=745b16a7-ea16-440e-98ce-bbcfc703649e