HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-09-037 - Parks Master Plan UpdateI
I~~c~~R.
Community Servrees
REPORT TO: Community Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: June 1, 2009
SUBMITTED BY: Jim Witmer, Director of Operations
PREPARED BY: Dan Ritz, Supervisor of Design & Development
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All
DATE OF REPORT: May 14, 2009
REPORT NO.: CSD-09-037
SUBJECT: PARKS MASTER PLAN UPDATE
RECOMMENDATION:
For information and discussion.
BACKGROUND:
In 1975, the Community Services Department completed a comprehensive Master Plan for Park
and Recreation Facilities (Council approval July 1976) which was the basis to support the long
term planning, development and investment into park services for the community.
In 1990, a Leisure Facilities Strategy Master Plan was completed and included a park and open
space component in the plan. (Council approved June 1990)
In 2005, the Leisure Facilities Master Plan (LFMP) was developed and completed and
recognized the need for a more detailed master planning process for parks and community
trails.
In 2008, Council awarded E08-058, Consulting Services -Parks Master Plan to GSP Group Inc.
to undertake a comprehensive review of various park policies, operational standards,
development initiatives, implementation & delivery strategies and guidelines that will support
park development and operations. (Council approved October 27, 2008)
The purpose of this report is to provide Committee members with an update on the status of the
current phase of the Parks Master Plan, specifically the Background Review & Analysis and the
Community Consultation and to also update Committee on the five central themes that have
emerged from the information gathered through the extensive background review & analysis
and community consultation. The objective of the meeting is to provide Committee members
with an opportunity to ask questions and provide input to the Parks Master Plan development.
4-1
REPORT:
In January 2009, the consulting firm of GSP Group Inc. began the first steps of the Parks Master
Plan work program which consists of three primary phases:
^ Situational Analysis Report (the current phase)
^ Draft Master Plan development (summer 2009)
^ Master Plan Finalization (fall 2009)
Parks Master Plan Objectives
The focus of the City of Kitchener Parks Master Plan is multi-fold. First, it is intended to
establish a conceptual and policy basis upon which to plan, develop and fund, the future
development and operations of parks, open space and community trails. Second, the Master
Plan focuses on specific initiatives in the development of key park facilities. Third, the Plan, in its
implementation components, addresses operational standards, delivery strategies and
guidelines and other perspectives that will support parks development and operations. Within
these three dimensions of the Park Master Plan are a series of other elements that are
important in addressing a range of considerations, from policies and strategies through to
operations.
The Parks Master Plan has the following objectives:
^ Provide strategies and opportunities for the planning, conservation and management of
the parks system.
^ Bridge the gap between community needs and current operating and development level
of standards for parks.
^ Create the framework for allocating resources in order to build a vibrant, healthy and
liveable community.
Situational Analysis Report
Preparation for the current phase of the Situational Analysis Report consisted of:
^ Background Review and Analysis (population forecast & demographics, parks inventory,
trends & issues, financial, and service delivery).
^ Community Consultation (stakeholders by way of focus groups, staff sessions, &
interviews and community input through two public workshops, online survey, website,
email and phone/mail input).
Five central themes have emerged from the information gathered through the extensive
background review & analysis and community consultation as follows:
1. Natural Areas (acquisition priorities i.e. Huron Natural Area, linkages, accessibility,
awareness, balancing use/ preservation, sustainable management, stewardship, Grand
River corridor)
2. Trails (year-round access, key destinations & linkages, trail linkages to and within the
downtown core, limited capital resources, maintenance & monitoring)
4- 2
3. Active Parkland (growth in soccer, steady demand for baseball/softball, under-serviced
for other turf sports -field hockey, cricket, rugby, lacrosse, artificial turf considerations)
4. Neighbourhood Parks (timing of new park developments, insufficient capital resources,
provision standards, rehabilitation and renewal of existing parks, allocation of
appropriate resources for maintenance and operations requirements)
5. Community Engagement (participation in park design, development & renewal,
collaboration & partnerships, education & communication, fostering community
volunteerism -adopt-a-park & park clean-ups)
In addition to the above noted themes, the provision of public space along the Grand River
corridor was a prominent theme identified through the consultation and the background
documentation. The Grand River is a significant resource amenity that is currently underutilized
and requires further review as follows:
i) Strategic Grand River corridor land acquisitions and
ii) Creating linkages between the Grand River and the City.
Next Steps -Draft Parks Master Plan
Throughout the summer and fall of 2009, the advancement of the Parks Master Plan will include
several key areas of focus as follows:
^ Park Classification /Provision Standards
^ Natural Areas & Trails Strategy
^ Park Rehabilitation Strategy
^ Park Needs Review
^ Maintenance & Operations Service Levels
^ 10-Year Implementation Strategy
^ Capital Forecast Limitations
^ Operating Budget Constraints
^ Annual Review/ Benchmarking
^ Public Open House(s)
^ Presentation to Community Service Committee & Council
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
This report has no financial implications at this time.
COMMUNICATIONS:
A communications plan will be developed for the Public Open House meeting(s) scheduled for
early fall 2009.
A Community Services Committee meeting will be scheduled for fall 2009.
4-3
CONCLUSION:
This report has been submitted for information and discussion.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Pauline Houston, General Manager, Community Services Department
4-4