HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-09-058 - Parks Master Plan UpdateREPORT
REPORT TO:
Community Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING:
October 26, 2009
SUBMITTED BY:
Jim Witmer, Director of Operations
PREPARED BY:
Dan Ritz, Supervisor of Design & Development
WARD(S) INVOLVED:
All
DATE OF REPORT: October 20, 2009
REPORT NO.:
CSD-09-058
SUBJECT:
PARKS MASTER PLAN UPDATE
RECOMMENDATION:
That Community Services Committee receive the Parks Master Plan Update for
information and discussion.
BACKGROUND:
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 approval October 27, 2008)
Goals
The overall of the Park Master Plan are to:
Establish a conceptual and policy basis upon which to plan, develop and fund the future
development and operations of parks and community trails.
Focus on specific initiatives in the development of key parks.
Addresses operational standards, delivery strategies and guidelines that will support
parks development and operations.
In January 2009, the consulting team began the first steps of the Parks Master Plan work
program which consists of three primary phases:
Situational Analysis Report (finalized in July 2009)
Draft Master Plan development (current phase)
Master Plan Finalization (winter 2009)
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On June 1, 2009, staff provided a Parks Master Plan Update to Community Services Committee
(report CSD-09-037).
Preparation for the Situational Analysis Report consisted of the following:
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
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)
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)
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 Draft Parks Master Plan. 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 and the 5 Strategic Directions.
REPORT:
Vision
The for the Parks Master Plan is recognized as a key component of the foundation of the
strategy:
The City of Kitchener recognizes and valuesits parks system as vital infrastructure
for a healthy community.
Parks will continue to be a definingfeature of Kitchener’s culture,heritageandurban
landscape.
Kitchener’s legacy as a leader in parks planning and delivery will be restored by
strengthening,renewing and expanding our significant parkland resources.
AllKitchener residents will have access to diverse outdoor experiences that contribute
to a vibrant,healthy and engaged community offering an exceptional quality of life.
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Strategic Directions
fashioned from each of the five central themes will provide direction for
the Final Parks Master Plan and Implementation Plan:
1. Preserving and Enhancing the Natural Areas System
Natural Areas Management Program
Natural Area Definitions & Inventory
Trail Development Parameters
Stewardship & Education
Guidelines/Criteria for Linkages & Acquisition Priorities
2. Strengthening and Expanding the Community Trail Network
Trails Classification System – Recreation and Transportation
Develop a Trails Implementation Strategy
Resolve Existing Gaps & Link Destinations
Identify & Invest in Supporting Infrastructure
Education, Marketing & Promotion
3. Building and Renewing Our Neighbourhood Parks
Parkland Classification System
Park Development Strategy
Neighbourhood Park Rehabilitation & Renewal Program
Guidelines/Criteria for Underserved Areas and
Intensification Areas
4. Meeting Active Parkland Needs and Fostering Growth in Outdoor Sports
Upgrade Grass Fields to Artificial Turf in Key Service Areas
Guidelines for Phasing of Turf Field Upgrades
Monitor Sports Field Demands
Partnerships with School Boards, Chicopee, GRCA, Clubs
Southwest District Park Development Profile
5. Engaging the Community in Parks Planning and Development
Develop a Community Engagement Program
Community Input to Park Designs
Bi-Annual Themed Workshops
Broaden the Pursuit of Partnerships and Joint Ventures
Consider Developer-Build Parks
Performance Monitoring and Evaluation
5-Year Master Plan Update
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In addition to the five central themes, an addition area of focus was recognized as an important
strength and resource for the City of Kitchener:
6. Supporting the Grand River Corridor
Floodplain Properties Acquisition Plan
Focus Areas: Bridgeport North, Lackner Woods/Natchez Hills ESPA, Woolner Flats,
Hidden Valley, Freeport
Over 200 hectares in private ownership
May be acquired by dedication/donation/expropriation
Larger investment required to assemble developable land parcels for “Riverside
Park”
May be Partnerships/Sponsorships available from the community
Strategic Directions have the following potential impact to the 10 year Capital Budget as
identified in the “Investing in the Health of the Community” chart below:
Investing in the Health of the Community
LINE ITEM EXISTING 10 YEAR PROJECTS
INVESTMENTINCREASE
Natural Areas $0.48 million $2.0 million
2010:
Citywide Natural Areas Management Plan
Management
20112019:
Site Specific Plans (23/year)
(Environment/
Naturalization) &
Environment/
Woodland Parks)
Community $2.86 million $2.18 million 2010:
Commission Trails Implementation Strategy
Trails
20112019:
Resolving Gaps, Investments in
supporting infrastructure and network expansion
General Park $3.59 million $2.48 million
20102019:
New Neighbourhood Park Development
Development
to address the Backlog of undeveloped parks in new
(May be reduced/ re-
communities
allocated to renewal
after caught up on
new parks)
General Park $1.84 million $2.25 million 2010:
Identification / Prioritization of Neighbourhood
Rehabilitation
Parks in need of Rehabilitation (innercity focus)
(Playground
20112019:
Rehabilitate / Renewal of identified
Replacement)
Neighbourhood Parks (23 per year)
Sports Field $0 $6.0 million 2010:
Investigate partnerships, site identification
Synthetic Turf 2011-2019:
Bi-Annual investment of $1.2 million for
Conversions
conversion of primary sports fields to synthetic turf
starting in 2011
Strategic$1.07 million $1.0 million2010:
Initiate discussions with landowners, key
Investment Fund
stakeholders and potential partners
(Natural Areas (Specifically targeting
(Corporate)
20112019:
Acquisition of Floodplain Land
Acquisition Fund) Grand River Corridor;
may be reduced or
Additional investment required for 'Riverside Park'
re-allocated after
acquired)
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Parks Master Plan – Next Steps:
Fall 2009 - Strategic Directions will be further refined, reviewed and discussed with the
technical committee prior to inclusion in the Draft Parks Master Plan.
Fall 2009 - The Draft Parks Master Plan will solicit public input once again through the use of
the city web page and with opportunities for general comment.
Early 2010 - The Final Parks Master Plan will be brought forward to Council for approval.
Throughout 2010 - A Implementation Plan and funding strategy will be developed.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Strategic Directions are to be included in the ten-year Capital Budget Forecast for consideration.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Staff is working on a communications plan in order to get information out to residents and solicit
comment from the public on the Draft Parks Master Plan and the Strategic Directions.
CONCLUSION:
Parks are a defining feature of Kitchener’s culture, heritage, urban character and quality of life.
The City of Kitchener has a progressive history as a leader in municipal parks planning;
however, renewed effort is needed to ensure that Kitchener’s park system continues to meet
resident needs, as well as contribute to the overall quality of life in the City of Kitchener.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Pauline Houston, General Manager, Community Services
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