Amherstburg will officially open its new Waterfront Festival Plaza on August 26, 2026, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1:00 pm at 306 Dalhousie Street. The 1.2-hectare park extends King’s Navy Yard Park along the Detroit River shoreline, giving residents and visitors a new public space for events and recreation.
The plaza sits on the former Duffy’s Tavern and Motor Inn property, which the Town of Amherstburg purchased in 2017. The landmark restaurant and motel closed in 2013 after 55 years of operation by the Vucinic family. The town demolished the buildings and invested just over $3 million in Phase 1 construction, including shoreline remediation, soil cleanup, and underground infrastructure.
The Waterfront Festival Plaza is designed as a Regional Special Purpose park. Future phases outlined in the master plan include a transient marina, outdoor amphitheatre, washroom facilities, and fishing docks. Town Council originally considered a $30,000 three-day celebration but opted for a simple ribbon-cutting to keep funds available for future work.
Mayor Michael Prue and council members are expected to attend the opening. The town is also working with Caldwell First Nation to explore a potential sculpture at the site, with possible grant funding still to be identified.
The plaza opening marks a major step in Amherstburg’s long-term vision for its waterfront, transforming a former motel and restaurant site into accessible public space for the community.
