Canandaigua Lakefront Redevelopment Project

This project received the 1998 ASCE award, the 2001 ASLA Community Achievement Award, and the 2002 American Planning Association Upstate New York Chapter (APA) Outstanding Planning Project: Implementation Honorable Mention Award.

The City of Canandaigua initiated a project to restore Kershaw Park and Lakeshore Drive into an attractive area for the community, and to promote development along the northern end of Canandaigua Lake. The City contracted with FRA as the project lead, with the supporting team of The LA Group and Fayko, Johanson & Fortier, Architects.

The project consisted of a $3.6M budget for the master plan and development of a “boulevard-style” roadway blending into an open park with pathways, shelters, and bathhouse with a swimming beach.

FRA was responsible for developing the master plan into design documents, public coordination, civil engineering aspects of the project and project management. Public presentations, feedback, and coordination were important aspects of this project as a high degree of public acceptance was required for the project to progress smoothly. The lakefront area is a public place of high regard for the residents of Canandaigua. Details of the project included total reconstruction of the road into a streetscape of sidewalks, travel lanes, parallel parking, grass median and street trees. A full landscaping scheme was developed for the park and street, covering approximately 15 acres. A new bathhouse facility, gazebo, outlook decks, pathways and amenities were included in the park plan. Drainage and utility service design to serve the project were included, along with 3,000 feet of shoreline stabilization.