Sunset Beach (formerly Municipal Beach) (St. Catharines) Sunsets



Photo: [Liz Rathjen].
 


Bench at Sunset Beach, a perfect area to relax and watch the sunset. Seating areas are located along the Waterfront Trail, as well as a childrens playground. Photos: [Carly Lebel].
 


Old 'Municipal Beach' entrance sign (now called 'Sunset Beach'), located on Lombardy Avenue at the entrance gates. Entrance to the park and beach area as well as the Waterfront Trail. Photos: [Carly Lebel].
 


 

General Information

Municipal Beach is located on the Southern shore of Lake Ontario in St. Catharines and offers amazing sunset viewing opportunities. It is described as a hidden treasure as most people don't know about it and go to other more well known beaches such as Port Dalhousie. It is a very quiet beach with lots to offer including a beautiful waterfront trail that runs along the shores of the Lake, a sandy beach, playground, public washrooms (open seasonally) and a boat launch. There are also benches along the trail facing the lake which offer the perfect area to relax and watch the sunset. Enjoy a walk along the beach at sunset to see the beautiful colours reflecting off the water as the sun disappears below the horizon, relax along one of the benches, or even bring a picnic blanket and relax under one of the oak trees.

Municipal Beach also offers a free public boat launch for small watercrafts during the boating season and daylight hours, and what better way to watch the sunset than from on your boat floating amongst the beautiful sparkling waters of Lake Ontario at sunset.

Municipal Beach is St. Catharines' largest, offering 1,200 feet of sandy beach area. The locals refer to it as "the Garden". It can be reached through Malcolmson Park.

The entrance to the Welland Canal and Lock One are just a short walk from the beach. This beach offers amazing photo opportunities at sunset, as it is very quiet and photographers are able to get the shots they want without people interfering. This is also a good place to go for a romantic walk along the beach or the Waterfront Trail with a little bit of privacy. It is also a great area to take the family and the dog for a walk, while soaking up the picturesque views of the sun setting over the lake. Other recreational activities visitors can take part in aside from watching the sunset are cycling, jogging, swimming, boating, fishing, picnicing, and even cross-country skiing in the winter months.


Warning:
Always protect your eyes from the sun's UV radiation by wearing UV-blocking sunglasses. Never look directly at the sun.


The time of the sunset varies throughout the year.
Consult this sunset time and date calculatorprior to your visit.

For photographers, lighting can make a huge difference in your photography.

Consult this sunrise and sunset photo calculator prior to your visit.


Hours of Operation

Open year-round.

Public washrooms - open seasonally, July 1st to Sept. 1st (8am to dusk)

Directions

From Toronto:

Take the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) to exit 42 Ontario Street, St. Catharines

Turn left (north) onto Ontario Street

Follow Ontario Street to Lakeshore Road

Continue on Lakeshore Road (west)

Turn left (north) on Arthur Street

Turn left (west) on Lombardy Avenue

Follow Lombardy Avenue to Sunset Beach


From Niagara:

Take the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) to exit 46 toward Regional Road 44/Lake Street

Turn right toward Lake Street

Take the first left onto Lake Street

Take the first right onto Scott Street

Turn left onto Geneva Street/Regional Road 46

Turn right onto Lakeshore Road

Turn left onto Arthur Street

Turn right onto Beachhaven Drive

Take the first left onto Bogart Street

Follow to Sunset Beach on Lombardy Avenue

Historical

Sunset Beach is historically important to the development of the Welland Canal and City of St. Catharines. The beach and surrounding land at one time was home to the pioneers who constructed the Welland Canal.

Ecological

The park area is a combination of land and aquatic ecosystems with surface features ranging from sand and grass to water. This habitat is home to wildlife such as migratory birds, fish species, small mammals, insects, and reptiles.

Further Information

Ownership & Management

City of St. Catharines

Facilities

  • Beach
  • Playground
  • Picnic Area
  • Boat Launch
  • Waterfront Trail
  • Public Washrooms (Open seasonally (July 1st-Sept. 1st, 8am to dusk)
  • Large parking area

Accessibility

Accessible waterfront paved trail.

Contact

Phone: (905) 688-5600

Address

Sunset Beach (formerly Municipal Beach)
1 Lombardy Avenue
St. Catharines, Ontario
L2M 1H8 Municipality St. Catharines

GPS Co-ordinates

Latitude: 43.223451
Longitude: -79.220038

Map

Administration

Mike Anderson
Administration
Parks and Recreation
City of St. Catharines
St. Catharines, Ontario
Tel (905) 688-5600
Fax (905) 682-3631
Email http://www.stcatharines.ca/index.asp

Surface features: Pavement, gravel, grass, sand, dirt path

Trail linkages: Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail


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