A proposed master plan for recreation in the township was unveiled to the public at an open house at the municipal council chambers on Aug. 8.
Public works director Larry Lynch said the turnout at the meeting showed plenty of interest in the plan.
“There were 10 or 12 people lined up here when we opened the door,” he said, with more citizens arriving through the hour-long, drop-in-style meeting.
Among the first to arrive were a group of young people, who quizzed Lynch on why the idea of a skateboard park wasn’t given higher priority in the plan.
Lynch noted that while a skateboard facility was mentioned in surveys conducted in local schools, it didn’t come up often enough to appear “a big priority.”
However, he said, “We will certainly look at it.”
Five key concerns surfaced through citizen input to the plan:
– poor playground conditions;
– the need for upgraded washrooms at recreation facilities;
– accessibility and safety issues at most recreational facilities;
– the need to fine tune service delivery and organization; and
– better signage and emergency addressing.
The plan also provides a wish list of three key items: upgrading and expanding existing trails, playground upgrades and development of a splash pad, and development of youth programming.
Lynch said public input revealed an understanding of the need to rejuvenate local parks and playgrounds.
While the community has a substantial number of parks and playgrounds, “some of them are looking a little tired right now,” he said. “We need to upgrade so we have things in place, and to allow us to deliver a lot more programs.”
The master plan has been under development since November, 2011, when the township hired Stempski Kelly and Associates for $15,000 to lead the study.
The plan presented Aug. 8 emphasizes recommendations in eight main areas.
Under Accessibility and Safety, the plan recommends washroom upgrades at the Moorefield ball park and Drayton fair grounds, as well as an access ramp for the Maryborough Community Centre. Fire code and emergency addressing issues in the township also need to be addressed, the report indicates.
Also recommended in the plan is an audit of all remaining playgrounds in the municipality, a redesign of play areas and replacement of “at risk” play structures at the Moorefield Ball Park, Kinsmen Playground and Rothsay Optimist Park. Creation of a splash pad at Centennial Park is also recommended.
Expanded and improved trails were identified as “a number one priority” in the plan, which notes trails “continue to be a top trend in recreational facility development.” Proposed projects in this area include development of a township-wide trails implementation plan and a way finding and signage plan.
Maintenance projects identified in the plan include roof replacements at the PMD Arena and Marybourgh Community Centre, as well as a building retrofit and new entrance sign at the Maryborough facility. Scoreboard repair at the Moorefield Ball Park is also on the project list.
The plan notes that increased programing and proposed management and marketing initiatives will require “designated staff assume new responsibilities.” A job description review and provision of training for staff to implement regulations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act is also listed under staffing issues.
Programming priorities would see increased emphasis on recreational and leisure programming for youths and seniors to “engage the community and encourage local participation.” Projects include development of a summer youth camp and March Break camp programs.
The township will also explore new avenues of communication “to keep current with advancing technology.” Projects in this area would include expansion of the municipality’s website and development of a leisure guide.
The plan recommends accruing additional revenue through “advertising and partnerships” to assist the township in controlling fees. Recommended actions include the appointment of a grant application writer and appointing staff to address “marketing and funding opportunities.” Promotion of advertising in the arena, leisure guide and on the municipality’s website are recommended in the report.
The plan was developed through interviews with numerous stakeholder groups, including Sports organizations, service groups, youth groups, community groups, arts and culture organizations, area schools and municipal staff.
The plan was officially approved by Mapleton council at its Aug. 14 meeting.
Lynch says the public open house “closed the loop with the community.
“Now we’ll ask council to approve the report and begin a program of implementation.”
