Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan
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Township of Centre Wellington Parks, Recreation & Culture Master Plan May 22, 2018 Prepared by: Acknowledgements Township of Centre Wellington Council Mayor Kelly Linton Councillor Don Fisher, Ward 1 Councillor Fred Morris, Ward 4 Councillor Kirk McElwain, Ward 2 Councillor Stephen Kitras, Ward 5 Councillor Mary Lloyd, Ward 3 Councillor Steven VanLeeuwen, Ward 6 Project Steering Committee Brian Detzler, Managing Director of Community Services Bruce Parkin, Supervisor of Aquatic Services Elizabeth Bender, Cultural Coordinator Brett Salmon, Managing Director of Planning & Development Eric Goudie, Theatre Coordinator Dorothy Smith, Manager of Programs & Event Services Jeremy Machin, Parks Lead Hand Matt Tucker, Manager of Facilities Kendra Martin, Communications Coordinator Consulting Team Monteith Brown Planning Consultants Ltd. Tucker-Reid & Associates Landscape Planning Limited Parks, Recreation & Culture Master Plan Monteith Brown Planning Consultants | Tucker-Reid & Associates | Landscape Planning Ltd. Executive Summary The Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan identifies needs Compared to previous Master Plans, this iteration focuses and priorities for the Township of Centre Wellington and its attention on fewer recommendations in recognition of the partners to consider to the year 2028. Over the course of this Community Services Department’s resourcing capabilities. As ten year period, Centre Wellington’s population is forecasted to such, there are 22 recommendations spanning municipal grow from 31,000 to 40,000 or 28%. Changes that have and will delivery of parks, recreation and culture facilities and services. continue to occur as it relates to population and evolving The following synopsis summarizes the top ten pressing actions interests among residents is the reason that the Township is for the Township of Centre Wellington to implement in the updating this Master Plan, which was last prepared in 2008. coming years (not presented in any particular order of priority or timing). The Master Plan’s methodology involved extensive research, consultation and assessment efforts. The Master Plan’s 1. Acquiring at least 22.5 hectares of new parkland to community engagement strategy resulted in direct participation maintain service levels proposed over the next ten years, from over 700 individuals speaking on behalf of hundreds more with a focus of aligning with the intent of the Township’s people in their households and community organizations. The new Development Standards Manual that is currently in Master Plan leveraged awareness through the Township’s draft form. ConnectCW online engagement platform while utilizing open houses, workshops, interviews, surveys and a design charrette 2. Undertaking a consultation and business planning to inform its analysis. Common themes expressed during process with local field sport organizations to explore consultations included placing a greater emphasis on the arts the feasibility of municipal involvement in the indoor and culture sector as well as opportunities for youth that are not artificial turf market. Investment on the part of the involved in sports, pursuing stronger alliances and partnerships Township should be contingent upon securing a with others in the community, qualified partner(s) that contributes capital and/or and embedding principles of operating resources. inclusion within the way services are delivered (e.g. activities that 3. Undertaking architectural and/or engineering appeal to many ages, interests, assessments for the Elora Community Centre to cultural backgrounds, abilities, address lifecycle issues of existing components, income levels, and servicing accessibility for persons with disabilities, and ways to rural and urban residents). accommodate a greater range of use including indoor Parks, Recreation & Culture Master Plan Monteith Brown Planning Consultants | Tucker-Reid & Associates | Landscape Planning Ltd. i turf sports, indoor walking, personal fitness and 7. Preparing a 5-year update to the Centre Wellington wellness, and other municipal programs. Cultural Action Plan, with a stronger focus on emphasizing as many quantitative and qualitative benefits 4. Conducting architectural assessments for the Victoria of the sector to inform decision-making. Park Seniors Centre to explore the costs associated with further expansion to address its growing demands 8. Forming a Centre Wellington Youth Council to provide for 55+ programs. advice to the Township relating to local parks, recreation, culture and other related services. 5. Constructing a skateboard park in Elora, consistent with previous studies and in recognition of considerable 9. Developing a Pricing Policy based on the true costs to community fundraising contributions. deliver parks, recreation and cultural programs and services. 6. Hosting annual focus groups with volunteers and volunteer groups. 10. Releasing an annual Communications Plan that promotes the benefits of participating in parks, recreation and cultural programs and encourages participation in programs and events. Parks, Recreation & Culture Master Plan Monteith Brown Planning Consultants | Tucker-Reid & Associates | Landscape Planning Ltd. ii Table of Contents Section 1: Introduction ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 1 The Benefits of Parks, Recreation & Culture 2 Purpose of the Master Plan 2 A Vision for Parks, Recreation & Culture in Centre Wellington 3 Methodology 4 Section 2: Master Plan Inputs _______________________________________________________________________________________ 5 Alignment with Council’s Priorities and Initiatives 6 Alignment with the Framework for Recreation in Canada 7 Input from Community Consultations 9 Selected Trends in Parks, Recreation & Culture 10 Section 3: Parks System ____________________________________________________________________________________________ 15 Importance of Parkland 16 Hierarchy of Parkland 18 Future Parkland Needs 22 Parkland Acquisition 24 Trails System 26 Natural Areas 28 Parkland Design and Amenities 32 Urban Agriculture and Horticulture 40 Off-Leash Parks 42 Parks, Recreation & Culture Master Plan Monteith Brown Planning Consultants | Tucker-Reid & Associates | Landscape Planning Ltd. Section 4: Indoor Recreation Facilities System ____________________________________________________________________ 43 Centre Wellington’s Indoor Recreation Facilities 44 Ice Pads 45 Indoor Aquatic Centres 49 Fitness Centres 51 Gymnasiums 53 Indoor Turf 54 Older Adult Space 57 Youth Space 60 Multi-Purpose Rooms 62 Section 5: Outdoor Recreation Facilities System __________________________________________________________________ 64 Centre Wellington’s Outdoor Recreation Facilities 65 Rectangular Sports Fields 67 Ball Diamonds 70 Tennis and Pickleball Courts 71 Basketball Courts 74 Playgrounds 75 Splash Pads 77 Skateboard Parks 78 Other Recreation Facilities 79 Section 6: Arts & Culture System __________________________________________________________________________________ 80 The Role of Culture in the Community 81 Arts and Cultural Assets in Centre Wellington 82 Culture Matters: The Cultural Action Plan 84 Parks, Recreation & Culture Master Plan Monteith Brown Planning Consultants | Tucker-Reid & Associates | Landscape Planning Ltd. Section 7: Community Services Delivery System __________________________________________________________________ 89 Service Analysis Overview 90 Key Area of Focus #1: Service Expansion and Quality Management 92 Key Area of Focus #2: Access, Equity and Inclusion 105 Key Area of Focus #3: Community Building and Organizational Capacity 109 Monitoring & Updating the Master Plan 122 Section 8: Implementation _______________________________________________________________________________________ 123 Parks System Recommendations 125 Recreation Facility System Recommendations 125 Arts & Culture System Recommendation 127 Community Services Delivery System Recommendations 127 Parks, Recreation & Culture Master Plan Monteith Brown Planning Consultants | Tucker-Reid & Associates | Landscape Planning Ltd. Section 1: Introduction Parks, Recreation & Culture Master Plan Monteith Brown Planning Consultants | Tucker-Reid & Associates | Landscape Planning Ltd. 1 The Benefits of Parks, Recreation & Culture Centre Wellington’s parks, recreation and culture system influences residents in many ways, providing countless physical, health, economic psychological, and environmental benefits. Not only does participation in Recreation is the experience that results from freely chosen participation recreation, culture, and park activities offer opportunities for a healthy in physical, social, intellectual, creative, and spiritual pursuits that enhance lifestyle, it facilitates greater cognitive development and self-esteem individuals and community wellbeing. among individuals, social interaction, economic spending, conservation of A FRAMEWORK FOR RECREATION IN CANADA, 2015 natural lands, and community vibrancy. The field of parks, recreation and cultural planning has emerged to position decision-makers and service providers to meet the needs of a The parks continuum refers to places reserved for conserving and community in a sustainable manner. Centre Wellington regularly experiencing Nature, with varying but important complementary goals undertakes assessments of its parks, recreation and cultural system to [including] land trusts and private preserves, urban streams, community develop policy frameworks, and quantify benefits