Town of Aurora Parks & Recreation Master Plan Update

Parks & Recreation Master Plan Update Town of Aurora January 11, 2016 Prepared by: T O W N O F A U R O R A Parks & Recreation Master Plan Update Acknowledgements The Parks & Recreation Master Plan Update has been created with the assistance of hundreds of individuals whose diverse range of interests and viewpoints have helped to shape this important document. We wish to thank all members of the community that have contributed their time and input through the consultation process, as well as members of Town Council and Staff that provided critical oversight during the process. Your collective efforts are appreciated and we hope that the Master Plan Update results in meaningful change through continued enhancement of the facilities serving the parks and recreational needs of Aurora residents for years to come. Town of Aurora Council Mayor Geoffrey Dawe Councillor John Abel Councillor Tom Mrakas Councillor Wendy Gaertner Councillor Jeff Thom Councillor Sandra Humfryes Councillor Michael Thompson Councillor Harold Kim Councillor Paul Pirri Master Plan Update Steering Committee Allan Downey, Director of Parks and Recreation (Project Sponsor) Loriann Ierullo, Recreation Supervisor, Special Projects (Project Manager) John Firman, Manager of Business Support Joanne Gorry, Marketing and Public Affairs Strategist Jim Tree, Manager of Parks Lisa Warth, Manager of Recreation Marianna Saavedra, Administrative Assistant Project Consultants Monteith Brown Planning Consultants i T O W N O F A U R O R A Parks & Recreation Master Plan Update List of Acronyms Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act A.O.D.A. Aurora Community Centre A.C.C. Aurora Family Leisure Complex A.F.L.C. Greater Toronto Area G.T.A. National Household Survey N.H.S. Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex S.A.R.C. ii T O W N O F A U R O R A Parks & Recreation Master Plan Update Table of Contents 1. Introduction ___________________________________________________________ 1 1.1 Purpose 1 1.2 Significance of Parks and Recreation 1 1.3 Project Scope & Methodology 2 1.4 Aligning with Corporate Frameworks 2 1.5 Accomplishments Over the Past 5 Years 3 2. Planning Context _______________________________________________________ 4 2.1 Population Growth 5 2.2 Demographic Characteristics of the Population 7 2.3 Parks and Recreation Facility Trends 10 3. Community Engagement _________________________________________________ 14 3.1 Launch Event 15 3.2 Community Online Survey 15 3.3 Stakeholder Group Survey 17 3.4 Stakeholder Focus Group 17 3.5 Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee Roundtable 18 3.6 Town Staff Workshop 19 3.7 Council Workshop 19 3.8 Public Meeting 20 3.9 Summary of Key Themes from Consultations 21 4. Indoor Recreation Facilities _______________________________________________ 22 4.1 Summary of the Indoor Recreation Facility Supply 22 4.2 Community Centres 23 4.3 Ice Pads & Curling Sheets 26 4.4 Indoor Aquatics 28 4.5 Gymnasiums 34 4.6 Fitness Centres 35 4.7 Indoor Racquet Courts 37 iii T O W N O F A U R O R A Parks & Recreation Master Plan Update 4.8 Indoor Turf Fields 39 4.9 Multi-Purpose Rooms 40 4.10 Dedicated Youth Space 42 4.11 Dedicated Older Adult Spaces 43 5. Outdoor Recreation Facilities ______________________________________________ 45 5.1 Summary of the Outdoor Recreation Facility Supply 45 5.2 Rectangular Fields 46 5.3 Ball Diamonds 51 5.4 Tennis Courts 52 5.5 Basketball Courts 55 5.6 Board and Bike Parks 56 5.7 Splash Pads 57 5.8 Off-Leash Dog Parks 58 5.9 Playgrounds 59 5.10 Outdoor Skating Rinks 60 5.11 Lawn Bowling 61 5.12 Other Recreation Facilities 62 6. Parks & Open Spaces ___________________________________________________ 63 6.1 Parkland Form & Function 63 6.2 Parkland Supply 66 6.3 Parkland Needs 67 6.4 Trails Network 71 6.5 Community Gardens 73 6.6 Natural Environment Lands 74 6.7 Acquisition Policies & Guidelines 75 7. Implementing the Master Plan _____________________________________________ 77 iv 1. Introduction 1.1 Purpose The Parks & Recreation Master Plan Update (the “Master Plan”) guides recreation system is an important part of the high quality of life enjoyed the provision of the Town of Aurora’s parks and recreation facilities by its residents. over the next five-year period. The Town regularly prepares master plan documents recognizing the many factors that influence needs for Concurrent with the master planning process, a Sport Plan is being parks and recreation facilities, most notably population growth, developed to guide the Town and local sports organizations in making evolving demographic characteristics, and changing preferences for appropriate investments in sport and encouraging effective use of recreational activities. This Parks & Recreation Master Plan is the five Aurora’s sports facilities. With a five year focus, the Sport Plan explores year update to a plan last prepared in 2010. how sport-related services are developed, communicated and delivered in a manner that facilitates collaboration between various service Proactive planning within the parks and recreation system is necessary providers and maximizes opportunities for residents to realize the to ensure that the Town is in a position to cost-effectively deliver benefits of sport. The Sport Plan is a stand-alone document, prepared facilities that are needed the most. The local parks and recreation separately from the Parks & Recreation Master Plan. system contributes a number of benefits to residents of all ages and abilities, most notably those relating to physical, mental and Parks & Recreation Master Plan Objectives environmental health. The local trails system, guided by the Town of • Provide an overview of local demographics Aurora Trails Master Plan, complements many of the objectives of the parks and recreation system as well as connecting important • Identify relevant trends in sport and recreation destinations in Aurora including parks and recreation facilities. The • Assess key municipal indoor and outdoor recreation facilities, and physical activities that take place within parks, trails and recreation make recommendations to meet future needs facilities can reduce the likelihood of chronic disease and obesity- • Identify the types of municipal parkland required to meet active related health concerns while the social aspect of many recreational and passive recreational needs activities furthers social engagement, minimizes social isolation and • Outline the priority, timing, and applicable costs associated with improves self-esteem. The Town of Aurora recognizes that its parks and the Master Plan’s recommendations - Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update Terms of Reference Monteith Brown Planning Consultants Introduction | 1 1.2 Significance of Parks and Recreation The importance of having parks and recreational opportunities available to the community, through both active and passive forms, cannot be understated. Various planning bodies and sport representatives, including the Canadian Parks & Recreation Association, document many health, economic and environmental benefits that are derived from the parks and recreation system: • Increase personal health through providing opportunities to increase physical activity (to combat the inactivity and obesity “epidemic”) which in turn can reduce instances of chronic disease and associated costs borne through the health-care sector. A report on obesity completed by the Public Health Agency of Canada found that nearly 6% of children ages (2-5) and 9% of children (ages 6-17) are obese. The risk of obesity increases with age where nearly one in four Canadian adults are considered to be obese, while over 60% of all Canadians are obese or overweight.1 • Provide positive opportunities to pursue in light of people’s limited disposable time and increasingly sedentary lifestyles (with major competition coming in the form of television, video games, etc.). According to the Canadian Health Measures Survey, children and youth spend an average of 9 hours a day in sedentary pursuits, a majority of which is dedicated to ‘screen time’. Adults spend an average of 10 hours per day in sedentary pursuits, reaffirming observations that levels of physical inactivity often increase with age.2 • Reduce anti-social behaviours by providing a positive outlet that can build self-esteem and provides an alternative to self-destructive activities (e.g. smoking, substance abuse, violence), which in turn can minimize costs borne through the social services sector and policing. • Deliver economic benefits associated with sport tourism, attracting skilled or creative workers to choose a community as their desired place to live, and developing future leaders within the community. Simply put, the availability of parks and recreation facilities in Aurora means that residents have an opportunity to be healthy, active and engaged. Without these spaces and services, the quality of life in the community would be substantially diminished and therefore the role of the Town and its various service providers in offering these services is of vital significance. 1 Public Health Agency of Canada. 2011. Obesity in Canada: A Joint Report from the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Institute for Health Information. 2 Rachel C., Didier G., Ian J., Cora C., Janine Clarke, & Mark T. 2011.Physical activity of Canadian children and youth: Accelerometer results from the 2007 and 2009 Canadian Health Measures Survey. Retrieved from http://www.statcan.gc.ca Monteith Brown Planning Consultants Introduction | 1 T O W N O F A U R O R A Parks & Recreation

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