Brant Street Pier, attraction in Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Brant Street Pier is an S-shaped concrete pier 137 metres long and about 7.5 metres wide, extending into Lake Ontario from Spencer Smith Park in Burlington, Ontario. Its deck is bordered by a railing and supported by cylindrical concrete pilings. On the fifth span, a circular node 20 metres in diameter holds a lookout platform four metres above the deck, reached by a circular staircase, with a 12-metre beacon of tubular steel rising from its centre.
Construction began in 2006 but faced delays and setbacks, including equipment issues and budget challenges. The pier officially opened in June 2013, becoming a new focal point for the community's relationship with Lake Ontario and the waterfront park.
In October 2012, the city invited children across Burlington to leave their handprints on the pier; 444 entries were received, and one child from each of the six wards plus one from the city at large were chosen. Their handprint impressions were set into a plaque that the children unveiled at the opening ceremony in June 2013. The pier also hosts the annual Sound of Music Festival, during which it officially opened on Father's Day weekend.
The pier is open daily from early morning until late evening and is easily accessible from Spencer Smith Park. Visitors should note that diving, swimming, motorized vehicles, and skateboards are not permitted, and winter conditions such as snow and ice can make the surface slippery.
The pier's beacon is lit in different colors throughout the year to honor community events and raise awareness for important causes. Visitors can spot small handprints pressed into the cement at the base, left by local children when the pier first opened in 2013.
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