2019 Preliminary Operating and Capital Budget Notes
BUDGET NOTES Parks Forestry and Recreation What We Do We are the keepers of our common grounds – the parks, recreation facilities and natural spaces where Torontonians come together to make connections, develop skills, and build the kind of city in which we all want to live. In our role as builders, stewards and animators of these spaces, we ensure that our parks, playing fields, recreation centres, ice rinks and pools, along with our trails, forests, meadows, marshes, and ravines are beautiful, safe and accessible, that they expand and develop to meet the needs of a growing city, and are filled with vibrant, active, and engaged communities. Our work is divided into three services: • Community Recreation • Parks • Urban Forestry Why We Do It Parks, recreation and forestry services are key drivers of social and economic capital, contributing to Toronto's livability and overall health. It is in community centres and parks that children and youth first learn a new sport or skill, and where youth, adults and seniors build social networks and civic connection. Splash pads, playgrounds and picnic areas are our urban living room, where we meet our neighbours and develop community trust and safety. Our ravines and urban canopy provide access to nature right in our urban backyard, while performing a key ecological role and mitigating the impacts of severe weather in our city. A vibrant, healthy and accessible system of parks, recreation facilities and programs, healthy and growing natural environments and a strong and resilient urban canopy are essential to maintaining a livable and sustainable Toronto. Our Experience & Success Key Challenges Priority Actions •Welcome and engage over 10.7 •Toronto has one of the highest rates •Complete Toronto's Parkland million recreation program of recreation provision and utilization Strategy and the implementation participants each year.
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