Know where you can go
Amherst Island’s public places range from village parks and docks to beaches, wetlands, community grounds, and privately owned places where access is permitted only under specific conditions.
Eight island places
Conditions can change with weather, season, school use, hunting closures, maintenance, or the permission of a private landowner. Read the access note for each place, follow posted signs, and check current information when a site has special conditions.
Community facility
5955 Front Road
The community centre and surrounding school grounds are a focus for recreation and island gatherings. The outdoor area includes a playground, playing field, and ball diamond; the hall hosts meetings, programmes, and events.
The grounds are shared with Amherst Island Public School. Public use is best outside school hours and around scheduled activities.
Municipal waterfront park
Stella Front Forty
The island’s gateway is also a small waterfront place in its own right, with views across the North Channel and a close look at the rhythms of the ferry crossing.
Keep clear of vehicle loading areas, crew operations, and the ferry line. The passenger terminal provides the island’s year-round public washroom.
Conservation area & public beach
Third Concession Road / Beach Road
Wetlands, a walking route, boardwalk views, and an unsupervised sandy beach make this one of the island’s most varied public natural areas. Big Marsh and the Lake Ontario shoreline support abundant bird life.
Use the designated parking area and signed access paths. Swimming is unsupervised and at your own risk; protect the wetland and stay on established routes.
Private land with permitted access
Marshall Forty Foot Road area
A celebrated birding site where coniferous shelter and dense vegetation attract resident and migratory owls. It is a sensitive habitat, not a conventional public park.
Access depends on the landowners’ permission and may close for hunting or other reasons. Stay on marked trails, remain quiet, never use flash, and check Kingston Field Naturalists for current conditions before travelling.
Municipal waterfront park
South Shore Road at Stella Forty Foot Road
A compact stopping place at the south end of Stella Forty Foot Road, with wide Lake Ontario views and a flat-rock shoreline. It is a useful rest point on a cycling or driving tour.
Park only in the designated area and remain within the small public park. Neighbouring shoreline and land are private.
Private land with seasonal public use
Back Beach Road
A broad, unsupervised beach on the island’s Lake Ontario shore. Most of the property is owned by Nut Island Farms, with public use governed by a legal agreement.
Public family recreation is permitted from January 1 until midnight on Labour Day only. From Labour Day to December 31, public use is strictly prohibited. No camping, fires, alcohol, hunting, bicycles, or motorized vehicles are permitted on the beach.
Municipal park
5437 Front Road, Stella
A shady village green with room to sit, picnic, and play. Mature trees frame the open lawn, making this one of the easiest public stops for families near Stella.
Open park space; follow posted Township rules and keep dogs leashed.
Municipal waterfront park & historic site
5220 Front Road, Stella
Behind the Neilson Store Museum, the public dock recalls the years when steamers, barges, and sailboats made this part of Stella the island’s commercial centre. Today it offers water access and a view across Stella Bay.
The upgraded shoreline and dock include a custom canoe and kayak launch. Respect museum operations and any posted dock conditions.