“We’re a small urban–rural mix community,” explains Mayor Wilma Wotten.“We’re surrounded by farmland, hamlets, and Lake Scugog itself—what we call the jewel of our community.” The mayor describes Port Perry as a thriving, tourism-driven destination, filled with boutique shops, restaurants, and cultural amenities, all built around a picturesque waterfront. “We may be small, but our community spirit and natural setting make us stand out,” she adds. A VIBRANT DOWNTOWN WITH HERITAGE AT HEART The township’s downtown—centered on Queen Street and Water Street—is one of Ontario’s bestpreserved Victorian shopping districts. It’s also one of the province’s most vibrant, with virtually every storefront occupied. Chief Administrative Officer Warren Mar attributes that vitality to a culture of partnership among local stakeholders. “Our success is really about collaboration,” he says.“The Chamber of Commerce, the BIA, and our heritage committees work together constantly to keep the core thriving. It’s a shared effort to balance the needs of residents and tourists.” A key component of that balance is continued investment in streetscape renewal. The township recently completed a full rehabilitation of Water Street, integrating new pedestrian crosswalks, parking improvements, and enhanced landscaping along the lakefront. “The downtown and the waterfront meet at a ‘T,’ and we wanted both to feel connected,” says Director of Communications and Strategic Projects, Lori Bowers. “We added accessible washrooms, conversation nooks, and those iconic red Muskoka chairs that invite people to stay and enjoy the view.” With the success of Water Street now complete, the focus turns to Queen Street, where Scugog plans further beautification and infrastructure upgrades in 2026. The township is consulting closely with business owners to ensure the revitalization improves the shopping experience without disrupting it.“Our goal is to keep our downtown looking great and functioning even better,” Mar notes. 145 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12 SCUGOG, ON
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