PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURE MASTER PLAN Phase 1 Background Summary
Agenda • Where We Are: Work to Date • Abbotsforward and Plan 200K organizational alignment • Benefits of PRC • Phase 1 Engagement Summary • Service Area Summaries • Parks • Recreation • Culture
PRC Master Plan The City of Abbotsford’s Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan will help guide planning and decision-making related to parks, recreation, and culture.
PRC Master Plan Timeline BACKGROUND RESEARCH ANALYSIS DRAFT PLAN FINAL PLAN Early February Late March Late June STAGE 1 – BACKGROUND RESEARCH (We are here) • Gathered data on parks, recreation and culture facilities, programs and services • Collected and summarized community input
Organizational Alignment PRC Master Plan will align with: - Abbotsforward’s 7 big ideas - City’s Strategic Plan Complete Community Vibrant Economy Fiscal Discipline Organizational Alignment
Plan 200K
Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2005 The PRC Master Plan reviews recommendations from 2005 and accomplishments since that time
Benefits of PRC • Culture and social inclusion • Economic development • Mental and physical heath and well-being • Environment
Abbotsford in Context • Rich history and heritage • Large size and significant agricultural land • Growing population • Diverse population • Socio-economic challenges
Phase 1 Engagement Process
Phase 1 Engagement Themes
Phase 1 Engagement Priorities Number 1 Priorities: • Parks and trails (419) • Sports fields (118) • Pools (86) • Cultural facilities (46) • Cultural programs (34) • Fitness/gymnasium spaces (27) • Arenas (25) • Sports/fitness programs (21)
Phase 1 Engagement Input Focus Group Recommendations This word cloud represents the combined recommendations of all focus group workshops.
Parks Service Areas • Sports Courts • Parks and Horticulture • Outdoor Recreation • Park Features • Natural Areas and Urban Forestry • Trails • Cemeteries • Sports Fields This word cloud represents the combined recommendations of the parks focus group workshops.
Parks and Horticulture
Parks & Horticulture Themes from Community Survey and Focus Groups • More parks to support population growth • Improved safety and response to socioeconomic issues • Protected environmentally sensitive areas and wildlife • Improved accessibility in parks
Park Features
Park Features Themes from Community Survey and Focus Groups • More spray parks and community gardens • Update playgrounds with innovative and/or natural playgrounds • More supporting amenities, such as washrooms • New playgrounds in Mill Lake Park and eastern part of Abbotsford • More Free Little Libraries in parks
Trails
Trails Themes from Community Survey and Focus Groups • More trail connections • Fear of losing trails to development • More bike paths • More dog off-leash access on trails • Improved maintenance of and concerns regarding dog off- paths and trails leash enforcement • More amenities such as garbage cans, lighting, and signage • Improved safety of trails and bike paths
Sports Fields
Sports Fields Themes from Community Survey and Focus Groups • Additional multi-sport tournament facilities • More and clustered ball diamonds • More sports fields for population growth, including soccer, rugby, and football • Improved maintenance of sports fields
Sports Courts
Sports Courts Themes from Community Survey and Focus Groups • More multi-sport, tennis and pickleball courts
Outdoor Recreation
Outdoor Recreation Themes from Community Survey and Focus Groups • More and upgraded dog off-leash areas, with amenities such as waste bins • More youth parks with different features • Interest in new opportunities, such as a dedicated longboarding facility, swimming area in Mill Lake Park, and a disc golf course • Upgraded fitness equipment • Resolution to issues with the Abby Grind
Natural Areas and Urban Forestry
Natural Areas and Urban Forestry Themes from Community Survey and Focus Groups • Protection of environmental assets • More natural areas and trees in the city • Improved maintenance of natural areas, e.g., invasive species • Update the Tree Protection Bylaw
Cemeteries • Community engagement did not ask for input on cemeteries
Recreation Service Areas • Indoor Sports • Aquatics • Community Recreation • Arenas • Fitness and Wellness This word cloud represents the combined recommendations of the recreation focus group workshops.
Aquatics
Aquatics Themes from Community Survey and Focus Groups • Competition-level aquatic facilities • New leisure pool and therapy pool • Improved inclusion and accessibility • Improved maintenance • Variety in program times and more special events
Arenas
Arenas Themes from Community Survey and Focus Groups • Upgrading or replacing existing arenas • Increased time for skating drop-in and hockey • Access to ice time for a ringette program • Desire for twin pad arena to host figure skating competitions and hockey tournaments
Fitness and Wellness
Fitness and Wellness Themes from Community Survey and Focus Groups • Larger fitness facility at MRC • More variety and more time/location options for fitness classes • More affordable fitness classes and facilities • Better maintenance of washrooms
Indoor Sports
Indoor Sports Themes from Community Survey and Focus Groups • Need more indoor space for multiple sports, e.g., gymnasium, dry floor • Increased drop-in access for recreational sports • Family and accessible change rooms at the indoor recreation facilities
Community Recreation
Community Recreation Themes from Community Survey and Focus Groups • More multi-purpose spaces available to rent • Larger youth centres with gym access • More strategically located seniors’ centres that are accessible by transit • Universal design inclusive of all ages and abilities
Culture Service Areas • Performing Arts • Visual Arts • Entertainment and Festivals • Public Art • Libraries • Heritage This word cloud represents the combined recommendations of the culture focus group workshops.
Visual Arts
Visual Arts Themes from Community Survey and Focus Groups • Multi-purpose visual and performing arts facility in the city centre • Investigate more opportunities to nurture and promote local artists • More spaces available for visual arts teaching and production • Investigate partnerships for additional cultural facilities (e.g., performance centre), infrastructure and equipment
Public Art Themes from Community Survey and Focus Groups • Increased opportunities for local artists to display their talent through public art • More public art in parks and along trails • Artwork that reflects the social trends and opinions associated with younger demographics • Developer contributions to public art
Heritage
Heritage Themes from Community Survey and Focus Groups • Update the 2005 Heritage Plan • Involvement and promotion of local Indigenous and multicultural communities • More celebratory programs related to the city’s history and heritage • Better protection of and education about Abbotsford’s heritage sites • Modern approach to interpretation using technology
Performing Arts
Performing Arts Themes from Community Survey and Focus Groups • Affordable and flexible rehearsal space and performance venues, including a black box theatre • Multi-purpose visual and performing arts facility • A permanent outdoor performance space
Entertainment and Festivals
Entertainment and Festivals Themes from Community Survey and Focus Groups • Additional art markets, concerts, and theatre events • Improved promotion of special events • Additional and improved events for families
Libraries
Libraries Themes from Community Survey and Focus Groups • Desire for additional libraries • Improved accessibility to library resources and increased hours of operation
Next Steps BACKGROUND RESEARCH ANALYSIS DRAFT PLAN FINAL PLAN STAGE 2 – ANALYSIS • Analyze facilities, programs, and services Review of assets, service delivery, and programming based on • comparable communities, community input, organizational alignment and trends/best practices • Identify needs for parks, recreation, and culture in Abbotsford
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