Scugog, ON

Building Balance

Preserving Heritage, Growing Sustainably, and Strengthening Community Life

In Scugog, Ontario, growth moves at the pace of the community. With a population of just over 22,000 and the historic town of Port Perry as its centerpiece, the township blends rural tranquility with urban charm. Nestled entirely within Ontario’s protected Greenbelt, Scugog is a municipality defined as much by its constraints as by its opportunities. Yet those constraints have become a source of creativity and collaboration.

“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 best-preserved 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.

Events That Bring the Town to Life

Few communities of Scugog’s size can match its year-round calendar of events. Its Canada Day celebration alone attracts as many as 20,000 people to Palmer Park and the lakefront, filling the streets with parades, music, and fireworks. “It’s probably the number-one Canada Day event in southern Ontario,” Bowers says proudly. “From our Veterans Parade to the fireworks show, it’s a full day of celebration that brings everyone together.”

Summer brings weekly concerts in the park, car shows that shut down Queen and Water Streets, and live theatre at the Scugog Shores Museum Village. Autumn ushers in Culture Days, a regional arts celebration, and winter is highlighted by an elaborate Santa Claus Parade. “Even our challenges are good ones,” Mayor Wotten says with a smile. “Our biggest complaint in the summer is that our park is too full.”

Infrastructure Renewal: Roads, Culverts, and Connectivity

Like many rural municipalities, Scugog’s infrastructure demands are constant. The township has made roads and bridges a top priority, aiming to raise its overall road condition rating to 60 percent—an ambitious but achievable goal. “Roads are the issue we hear about most often from residents,” the mayor acknowledges. “We’ve committed dedicated tax levy funds and a long-term plan to keep making progress.”

That progress includes innovation. A recent culvert replacement on Line 4 was completed using prefabricated bridge technology—an approach that finished the work ahead of schedule and under budget. “It’s a great example of how we can lead on cost-effective infrastructure delivery,” says Mar. “Other municipalities are coming to see how we did it.”

Beyond roads, Scugog continues to advocate for regional investment in water and sewer services—critical to unlocking its employment lands along Reach Street. The Region of Durham has committed to expanding servicing there within the next few years, a development that will give Scugog a stronger economic base.

Connectivity extends beyond utilities. The township is working with the Ministry of Infrastructure and major providers such as Rogers and Bell to complete a fiber-optic rollout across rural and urban areas alike. “Reliable high-speed internet is no longer optional,” Mar emphasizes. “We want everyone—residents, farmers, and businesses—to have the same access to opportunity.”

A Waterfront Worth Preserving

Few assets define Scugog like Lake Scugog itself. The township has long sought to protect and enhance the lake’s environmental health, most recently through its ambitious Lake Scugog Enhancement Project. The plan would have created a large constructed wetland along the waterfront—a partnership effort involving Parks Canada, Kawartha Conservation, and local stewards—but rising costs and regulatory challenges prompted council to re-evaluate the approach.

“We were proud of the work that went into it,” says Mayor Wotten, “but when the costs grew beyond control, we had to pause and look for new ways to achieve the same environmental goals more sustainably.” Staff are now developing revised options to address lake health and water quality, with a report expected later this year.

Meanwhile, Scugog continues to enhance public amenities along the shoreline. The township’s updated waterfront action plan has delivered accessible washrooms, a new splash pad, and upgraded trails and seating areas—all part of a larger strategy to make the waterfront both ecologically sound and economically vibrant.

Recreation and Renewal

Another major focus is recreation infrastructure. The township’s aging Blackstock Arena remains a beloved community landmark, but it’s due for renewal. A building condition assessment is underway to determine priorities and guide advocacy for upper-level government funding. “It’s not an NHL-sized rink,” Bowers says, “but it’s the heart of the eastern side of Scugog.”

The project, currently forecast for 2027, could transform the arena into a modern facility that better serves youth and families while preserving its community hall and heritage. “We’ve applied twice for funding, and we’ll keep applying,” the mayor notes. “We need spaces where residents can come together.”

Housing: A Balancing Act Within the Greenbelt

As Ontario faces an unprecedented housing shortage, Scugog’s challenge is distinct: it sits entirely within the Greenbelt, limiting expansion beyond established urban boundaries. “We support the Greenbelt,” Wotten affirms, “but we also need flexibility. We have projects that could move forward tomorrow if the province would allow minor adjustments.”

Chief among her frustrations are long-standing proposals caught in regulatory limbo, including developments in rural hamlets and a project that could convert an outdated timeshare approval into much-needed life-lease housing for seniors. “It’s the same land, the same footprint,” she says. “It just makes sense to adapt to today’s needs.”

Inside the urban boundary, activity remains strong. Developers such as Geranium, Ribcor, and Delpark continue to build, with 2023 seeing nearly $100 million in construction value. The township is also reviewing its development approvals process to streamline applications and shorten turnaround times. “We want to make sure our processes are efficient, predictable, and clear,” Mar says. “That’s how we keep builders engaged and projects moving.”

Looking Ahead: Housing, Roads, and a Sustainable Future

Over the next two years, Scugog’s priorities remain clear. Expanding affordable and rental housing tops the list, as does advocating for more long-term care and aging-in-place options. “Our demographics skew heavily over 60,” says Wotten. “If we can help seniors downsize into accessible housing, it frees up family homes for the next generation.”

At the same time, the township is focused on the basics—continuing its road rehabilitation program, improving its infrastructure rating, and servicing employment lands to attract new businesses. These are the practical investments that ensure Scugog remains viable, vibrant, and competitive.

“Growth here doesn’t mean sprawl,” the mayor concludes. “It means strengthening what we have—our roads, our waterfront, our community spaces—while making room for the people and opportunities that will keep Scugog thriving for decades to come.”

AT A GLANCE

Who: Scugog, Ontario

What: A thriving municipality that is welcoming growth in commercial and housing developments

Where: Southern Ontario, Canada

Website: www.scugog.ca