Welcome, new and returning students! Here's all you need to know about the University District Safety Initiative, traffic and parking changes on move-in weekend.
The City of Kingston would like to welcome new and returning post-secondary students to the community, and wishes all students, faculty and staff a safe and successful 2026/2027 academic year.
Being a good neighbour is a shared responsibility
University students living on or around campus are valued members of the Kingston community. We encourage all new and returning residents to review the City's Good Neighbour Guide for a better understanding of how the City of Kingston operates, the services and opportunities available, and how you can build a foundation of trust and respect in your neighbourhoods during the school year and beyond.
The University District Safety Initiative is in effect Aug. 28 – Sept. 13
Students and neighbours are reminded that the University District Safety Initiative (UDSI) will be in effect from Friday, Aug. 28 at 12:01 a.m. until Sunday, Sept. 13 at 6 a.m. The purpose of the UDSI is to educate community members and to mitigate the risks of large unsanctioned gatherings, including strains on emergency services. During this time, community partners, including City By-Law Enforcement Officers and Kingston Police, will have an increased presence in the University District. By-Law Enforcement Officers can also require people to pay Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs) for contraventions of the Nuisance Party By-Law, the Noise By-Law or other by-laws.
As part of the UDSI, the City will close Gord Edgar Downie Pier and Breakwater Park beach to the public nightly, from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Friday, Aug. 28 to the morning of Sept. 13. The decision to close the park during this time is to ensure the safety of community members in the University District, as large unsanctioned gatherings in this area pose a major safety risk, particularly at night.
Parking restrictions and traffic control during move-in
Student move-in at Queens begins in the evening on Friday, Sept. 4 and goes until Saturday, Sept. 5 at 5 p.m. To keep traffic moving during student move-in, some area roads will have parking restrictions, and some will be designated as one-way traffic:
Overnight parking restrictions
(4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4 through Saturday, Sept. 5 at 5 p.m.):
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Albert Street, between Queen’s Crescent to King Street
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Stuart Street, between University and Albert
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Collingwood Street, between King Street and Albert Street
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Bader Lane
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Queen’s Crescent
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Earl Street, between Frontenac Street and Alfred Street
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St. Lawrence Avenue, East Side
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King Street, from Lower University Avenue to Beverley Street
Street parking not permitted Saturday, September 5, between 7 am – 5 pm:
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Arch at Union Street
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George Street at Stuart Street
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O’Kill Street at George Street
Streets designated one-way for the day (Sept. 5, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.):
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Albert Street, southbound between Johnson Street and King Street
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Queen’s Crescent, westbound from Albert to Collingwood Street
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Bader Lane, westbound
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Stuart Street, westbound between University Avenue and Albert Street
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St. Lawrence Avenue, southbound from Stuart Street to King Street
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Collingwood Street, southbound from Queen’s Crescent to King Street
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University Ave, southbound from Earl Street to Stuart Street
The City of Kingston acknowledges that we are on the traditional homeland of the Anishinabek, Haudenosaunee, and the Huron-Wendat, and thanks these nations for their care and stewardship over this shared land.
Today, the City is committed to working with Indigenous peoples and all residents to pursue a united path of reconciliation.
Learn more about the City's reconciliation initiatives.
