A Guelph-Eramosa parks and recreation master plan has identified demand for a new dog park, skateboard/BMX park, trails, soccer fields and playgrounds – but stops short of recommending an arena or indoor pool.
On April 4 Monteith Brown Planning Consultants presented a summary report on the 141-page plan, which cost the township about $45,000 to produce.
The presentation outlined a recreation wish list of sorts that includes items identified last year by township residents through random household phone surveys (about 450), community workshops (attended by about 200 people) and well-attended senior input sessions.
The master plan contains 65 recommendations “intended to guide the development of future parks and recreational infrastructure” in the township for the next 10 years.
“My favourite is a toboggan hill,” Mayor Chris White said of one of several upgrades planned at Rockmosa Park in Rockwood.
He explained that once council approves the plan, which he called “a worthwhile effort,” the next step will be to move on the less expensive projects and prioritize the more costly items. The mayor stressed approval of the plan does not mean every item contained therein is approved.
“We’ll look at this annually … it’s an ongoing plan,” said White.
Parks and recreation manager Robin Milne said the 25 people who attended the April 4 presentation seemed “positive and pleased” with the recommendations in the plan.
“Overall, we’re pleased with the public input and we’re pleased with the report,” said Milne.
He noted the plan does not include a lot of costly “bricks and mortar” capital projects, because based on feedback, “Everyone seemed happy with the facilities we currently have.”
The plan notes that in general, residents prefer activities that are “unstructured and flexibly scheduled” and “organized Sports are not nearly as popular, with household participation at 30% and lower.”
The plan’s key recommendations generally fall under three main categories: service delivery, indoor facilities and outdoor facilities.
Services
One of the recommendations under service delivery is the creation of a new part-time position (a “coordinator of volunteers, older adults and youth”) to “oversee the active living and recreational initiatives.”
Other key service recommendations include:
– pursuing partnerships and sponsorship opportunities;
– regularly evaluating program opportunities, with an emphasis on children, youths and seniors;
– supporting opportunities for informal, unstructured and inclusive recreation;
– auditing all parks and facilities to ensure they are safe and meet accessibility requirements; and
– several “awareness and branding” items, including the development of a bi-annual community guide (hard copy and online).
Indoor facilities
Noticeably absent from the plan is a recommendation for an arena or indoor pool, which White said the township likely could not afford.
However, the plan does not completely dismiss the idea, stating such a facility “could be considered through a low-risk partnership, should the opportunity arise.”
The plan also suggests evaluating the long-term need for an outdoor covered rink at Rockmosa Park, similar to the one in Aberfoyle.
Other recommendations for indoor facilities include:
– alternative municipal uses for Rockwood Town Hall or leasing it for community or private uses;
– investigating the ability of municipal buildings to accommodate a broader range of uses; and
– creating a “hub” for senior activities in the Rockwood area, preferably starting in the Rockwood Library meeting room and perhaps moving to a different space in the future.
Outdoor facilities
Many of the outdoor parks projects identified in the plan hinge on the expansion of Rockmosa Park, which can proceed once an agreement is in place for the addition of 22 acres at the rear of the current property. White said that deal is close to being complete.
The expansion could pave the way for:
– a skateboard/BMX park;
– toboggan hill;
– two full soccer fields, including one lit artificial turf, and four mini/intermediate soccer fields (soccer usage will shift from Valentino Park to Rockmosa);
– a perimeter walking trail around the expanded park; and
– a shelter/storage/washroom building.
Other outdoor recommendations in the master plan include:
– alternate uses for the ball diamond at Eden Mills Park;
– a new playground within the Noble Ridge subdivision (possibly including outdoor fitness equipment);
– a multi-use basketball/tennis court at Cross Creek Park;
– a basketball court in Noble Ridge;
– a community garden project with local partners; and
– an off-leash dog park (site and possible partner unknown).
Residents can offer input on the plan by April 12 in writing to Vicki Hafner at the township office or by emailing vhafner@get.on.ca.
The plan, which is available online at www.get.on.ca will then be finalized and presented to council for approval.
