It’s time for Puslinch residents to make their views known regarding the future of recreation in the township.
While Oct. 4 marked the community launch to solicit public input into a township recreation and parks master plan, councillors here had a sneak peak into the approach being taken by Steve Langlois of Monteith Brown Planning Consultants.
Langlois was at council on Oct. 1 providing an update to the process which is now underway. He noted this will be the township’s first recreation and parks master plan.
The presentation outlined the scope of the work and the process, which includes public engagement.
“That is very important to this exercise,” Langlois said.
The work includes a comprehensive review and analysis of recreation facility, parks and service needs and contains an extensive public engagement program.
Langlois added the master plan provides a clear action strategy to guide the development of future recreation and parks facilities and services.
He explained the plan is intended to serve as a 10-year guideline for township staff, council and the community, but it can be altered any time before or after that time period depending on changes within the community.
“It is not like an official plan where municipalities are mandated to update them every five years.” It is not an official document but is intended to be a guideline.
Langlois said the plan will involve a review of services and facilities offered by the township.
He said there could be different ways to look at maximizing the use of the facilities.
The review would also look into whether existing facilities are accessible and affordable.
Langlois said the plan is looking at parks, open space and trails.
It would also include ball diamonds, soccer fields, playgrounds, woodlots and open space areas maintained by the municipality.
At the same time Langlois noted there are other providers of recreational facilities within the community such as conservation areas, as well as those owned by Wellington County or the private sector.
Future needs such as whether new types of infrastructure are needed, will also be considered, he said.
“We’ve heard from the community about ideas such as splash pads or off-leash dog parks. So we’ll be taking a close look at that.”
In addition, there will be a look at special events and opportunities for all residents.
He agreed that currently the township primarily provides facilities for rent with little to no recreational programming “which is not unusual for a community of this size.”
He noted the process is still entrenched in the first phase, which involves learning about the community through reviews, demographics, trends and facility audits.
He noted the Puslinch recreation committee will acting as the steering committee for the project.
“We are not close to recommendations at this stage,” he added.
Langlois said he hoped the timing would allow the plan to be completed early next year.
Therefore it would be the next council to respond to that report, he said. He then outlined the public engagement process.
“We’re in the midst of creating community awareness through posters, web page presence and at the Aberfoyle Farmers’ Market,” said Langlois.
In addition, there is an online survey that can be accessed at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PUSLINCH.
He also noted there is a stakeholder group survey that will be distributed shortly to local organizations.
Langlois congratulated councillors on this step towards the township’s first parks and recreation master plan.
Questions focussed on whether existing services are meeting the needs of the community and what improvements or changes should be considered.
Councillor Jerry Schmidt said he was impressed with the thoroughness and involvement being sought and apparently received from residents.
“I’m sure it will all wind up with a very meaningful document and I’m very encouraged,” said Schmidt.
Councillor Ken Roth concurred.
“I think we’re on the right track. I’m just hoping we can maximize the facilities we already have,” said Roth.
He recalled a previous recreation meeting when it was suggested “if you build it they will come.”
Roth added this approach seems more geared to making better use of existing facilities.
Councillor Wayne Stokley asked how many online surveys had been returned.
Langlois had not checked since the previous week but there had been close to three dozen at that point.
“It’s growing every day. We’re hoping to get a good cross section of opinion,” he said. “We do have an aging population.
“It’s a good way to promote and make people aware of what is in the community.”
Stokley said Puslinch does not have a lot of facilities – though what it has are good.
The only trail actually owned by the township is a 500-metre pathway located near Telford Glen.
Stokely was also uncertain how many residents know that the township now owns the large field behind the Puslinch community centre.
Part of the master plan will address the township’s future plans for that property.
Councillor Susan Fielding agreed the process is getting off to a good start. She noted she’d sent an email blast to several hundred residents to let them know about the survey.
She also appreciated the innovative methods being used to let people know about the survey, which she hopes will encourage younger people to get involved in the process.
She also acknowledged that the plan takes into account what local community groups are already providing.
“I wouldn’t want to see us reinvent the wheel. I think we need to collaborate and not overtake what community groups are already doing,” she said.
Fielding added, “We need to ensure all the services are there – they just may not all be provided by the township.”
Mayor Dennis Lever asked for clarification on the cutoff date for the survey.
The survey remains active until Oct. 20.
