Planning Process

The planning process for the Programming, Partnerships, and Facilities Plan kicked off in December 2024 and is expected to conclude in fall 2025. The schedule below provides an overview of the planning process, with descriptions of what will occur during each phase. Residents, business owners, local institutions, and government officials are contributing their expertise through focus groups, online surveys, workshops, and meetings.  
DECEMBER 2024
Initiating the Plan
Meeting project partners, including sanctuary co-managers.
Caroline and Ellen at Sodus Point
JANUARY 2025
Visiting the Sanctuary Region
Visiting pre-designation partner organizations and communities in the sanctuary region.
Sodus Outer Light
Sodus Outer Light, Sodus Point
Sterling Nature Center
West Pierhead Light, Oswego
Oswego Breakwater, from the H. Lee White Museum
Sackets Harbor Marina from the Union Hotel, Sackets Harbor
Union Hotel, Sackets Harbor
FEBRUARY 2025
Assessing Existing Conditions
Analyzing census data, current community and regional plans, visit/tourism data, and pre-designation historical research.
MARCH 2025
Learning with Focus Groups
Convening experts on regional tourism, educational, and maritime heritage who are affiliated with community organizations or local government. We heard from 18 experts across maritime heritage, tourism, and education.
APRIL 2025
Understanding Initial Findings
Assessing existing conditions/current state data, conversations with focus groups and other 1:1 interviews to identify strengths and opportunities.
Partnerships Opportunities: Programming, Education, and Museums
Assets and Landmarks: Shipwrecks, Lighthouses, Parks and Trails, Waterfront
History: Indigenous History, Maritime Heritage, Shipbuilding, Underground Railroad
Local Economies: Agriculture, Toursim, Ports, and Other Economic
Development Opportunities
MAY 2025
Surveying Community Members and Local Organizations
We conducted a survey of residents, business owners, leaders of local institutions, and others to understand how the sanctuary could support what people love about Lake Ontario and suggest new opportunities to make it easier for everyone to visit the lake, learn about its rich cultural and local history, and enjoy the shore and waters.
Learn More
Visiting the Sanctuary Region
Visiting pre-designation partner organizations and communities in the sanctuary region.
Envisioning Potential
Working with community representatives and experts to set plan goals and explore opportunities for future programming, partnerships, and facilities.
JUNE 2025
Developing Draft Concepts
Incorporating previous studies with recent survey results, visit observations, and visioning workshop outcomes to draft concepts for future programs, partnerships, and facilities.

Libraries

Parks
Historical
Societies
Tourism
Offices
Schools/
Research
New
Facilities
New
Programs
New
Office
Toolkits Option
Sanctuary Hubs Option
Visitor Center Option
JULY 2025
Iterating Concept Development
Working through potential concepts to refine for a final draft.
Coming soon
AUGUST 2025
Iterating Concept Development
Working through potential concepts to refine for a final draft.
Coming soon
SEPTEMBER 2025
Delivering the Final Plan
Sharing recommendations for future sanctuary programs, partnerships, and facilities.
Coming soon
Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary
Planning Team |