Tecumseh’s Lakewood Park South has reopened with a fresh look and over $3.8 million in new features, thanks to a major overhaul that wrapped up this month. The project at 13451 Riverside Drive East brought in an all-ages water feature, accessible washrooms open year-round, a natural amphitheatre, a pedestrian bridge, bocce ball courts, a natural gas fire pit, and more places to sit and gather. The Canada Community-Building Fund chipped in $2 million to help cover costs.
Residents got a first look at the upgrades during a free “Party on the Plaza” on June 7, 2026. The afternoon event ran from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and packed in live music, food trucks, strolling entertainers, hands-on activity stations, and plenty of fun for kids.
Mayor Gary McNamara said the changes are all about making spaces where people can connect. “Our parks and public spaces are some of Tecumseh’s greatest assets—this is where community is built,” he said. “Through the investment in Lakewood Park South, we are creating new opportunities for recreation and community events that will enhance quality of life for residents and attract visitors from across the region.”
The Town hired Bear Construction and Engineering Inc. to handle the work. Council awarded the tender for $3,899,319.40 before HST at its March 11, 2025 meeting. Construction kicked off on April 2, 2025, with designs drawn up by Ron Koudys Landscape Architects Inc.
Lakewood Park South sits on the old Lakewood Golf Course at the corner of Manning Road and Riverside Drive. The project was the biggest piece of Tecumseh’s 2025-2029 Five-Year Capital Works Plan, which laid out 27 projects with a total budget of $9.65 million.
