Oshawa drivers will need to navigate around Lakeview Park on Wednesday, July 1, as the city closes several roads and changes traffic flow for the annual Canada Day celebration. The restrictions run from 7 a.m. to midnight, and will see a key shift at 8 p.m. to help crowds leave after the fireworks over Lake Ontario.
The City of Oshawa has announced that Simcoe Street South, Valley Drive, Lakeview Park Avenue and Farewell Street will all be affected. Simcoe Street South will be closed south of Harbour Road, while Valley Drive and Lakeview Park Avenue will be shut between Ritson Road South and Simcoe Street South. Farewell Street will be open only to northbound traffic between Harbour Road and Wentworth Street. Marwood Drive will be limited to local traffic.
For most of the day, traffic on Lakeview Park Avenue will flow one-way eastbound, turning north onto Simcoe Street South. But at 8 p.m., the direction reverses: vehicles will be routed one-way westbound along Lakeview Park Avenue from Simcoe Street South to Ritson Road South. Harbour Road between Simcoe Street South and Farewell Street will also be one-way eastbound throughout the closure.
There is no public parking at Lakeview Park or Ed Broadbent Waterfront Park unless your vehicle has a valid accessible parking permit from the Ministry of Transportation. Unauthorized vehicles may be towed. A free shuttle will run from the Oshawa Centre starting at 12:30 p.m. until 9 p.m., with return trips after the fireworks end.
The celebration itself is a free, family-friendly event that runs from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Lakeview Park, 55 Lakeview Park Avenue. It features live music, entertainment, food vendors, and a fireworks display presented by Tribute Communities. The fireworks start at 10 p.m., and the event has been named a Top 100 festival by Festivals and Events Ontario. A heat alert is in effect for Oshawa, so cooling stations like splash pads, Lakeview Park Beach and Camp Samac Outdoor Pool will have extended hours until sunset.
