Pickering councillors have endorsed the final design concept for City Centre Park, moving the planned downtown landmark one step closer to construction.
According to a City of Pickering council summary, the preferred design was shaped by public feedback and combines the strongest elements of three earlier concepts. It calls for a large central gathering and event space, a summer misting feature, a winter skating rink and skating trails, winding pathways, shaded seating, lawn areas and a public art plaza visible from the street.
The project now moves into design development, with further input from the Community Safety & Well-Being, Accessibility and Cultural advisory committees. Construction is slated to begin in summer 2027, pending a future tender award, and the park's features are expected to take about 12 months to build.
City sets position on Federal Lands
Council also endorsed a recommendation report establishing Pickering's formal position on the future of the federally owned Pickering Lands — roughly 3,700 hectares in the city's northwest that were expropriated in 1972 for a proposed airport.
The federal government announced in January 2025 that the lands are no longer needed for airport development and launched a consultation on their future. The City's preferred framework focuses on environmental protection, agricultural preservation, expansion of Rouge National Urban Park and strategic employment opportunities along Highway 7. Pickering's position will be submitted to Ottawa as part of that consultation.
Development fees change July 1
Residents and builders will see changes to Building, Planning and Development Services fees starting July 1, 2026. A City review found current development application fees do not fully cover the cost of processing applications, leaving a funding gap supported by the tax base or the Building Permit Reserve Fund.
Some fees will rise, while others will decrease or stay the same, depending on the application type and level of staff effort involved. Annual indexing will continue.
Durham Meadoway and other decisions
Council approved a shared services memorandum of understanding with Durham Region, Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa to fund preliminary design work for the Durham Meadoway — a planned 30-kilometre active transportation and recreation corridor through the Gatineau Hydro Corridor, running from the Pickering/Toronto boundary to Harmony Road in Oshawa.
Councillors also awarded a contract to Unity Design Studio Inc. to design a new Animal Shelter and Municipal Law Enforcement Services offices on City-owned land beside Fire Station 1 & Headquarters on Zents Drive. A second contract went to Aquafor Beech Limited for detailed design of cleanout work at the Cognac and Valley Farm stormwater management ponds.
The City of Pickering council summary also noted year-end reports and 2026 work plans from several advisory committees, covering heritage conservation, the waterfront and Frenchman's Bay, accessibility, and community safety and well-being. Council approved two Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce events for 2026: the 4th Annual Community Event on August 28 and the 5th Annual Black Joy Holiday Market on November 13 and 14.
Pickering's next municipal election is set for Monday, October 26, 2026, with information available at pickering.ca/vote.
