PORT COLBORNE PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE NO. 2 APRIL 24, 2019 PARKS & RECREATION MASTER PLAN
THE TEAM PIERRE CHAUVIN & JULIE WELCH Project Team Lead: Planning/Landscape Architecture RAY OSMOND Recreation & Programming ASHLEY GRIGG & PORT COLBORNE CITY STAFF Community Services & Economic Development Dept.
AGENDA Presentation (40 mins) Questions (up to 45 mins)
PRC WORK PLAN BACKGROUND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ANALYSIS & FINAL PLAN & INFORMATION RECOMMENDATIONS IMPLEMENTATION Winter 2019 Winter - Spring 2019 Spring 2019 Summer 2019
WHY ARE WE HERE? Your participation and feedback has helped us understand Port Colborne’s Parks and Recreational landscape: Strengths & Assets What is missing, what is needed? Key themes We want to share some of the findings of consultation; and, Discuss what happens next…
PURPOSE The purpose of the Parks & Recreation Master Plan is to create a guiding document that will: Provide a 10-year vision for the development of parks, recreation and facilities in Port Colborne that is based on community values, operational needs and financial realities Provide recommendations for the development, prioritization, and/or improvements to parks, recreation facilities and programs/services Provide an assessment & progress tool to ensure that the Department achieves success
OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE Staff Engagement & Working Sessions (December 4 th ) Council Engagement & Working Sessions (December 18 th , April 30 th ) Public Open House (January 24 th ) Public Survey (Live as of January 20 th , 2019 open for 5 weeks) Stakeholder Engagement Session (February 21 st ) Other Department Staff Meetings/Interviews (January - Present)
SURVEY FINDINGS Top five (5) reasons Port Colborne residents participate in recreational activities include: Physical Health/Exercise 1. Enjoy Nature 2. Relaxation 3. Be With Family/Friends 4. Pleasure/Entertainment 5.
WHAT DID WE HEAR? Parks & Recreation impacts community wellbeing Parks and recreational facilities/services help bring the community together The primary role of Parks & Rec staff is to encourage physical activity and healthy/happy lifestyles 63% of survey respondents believe that Port Colborne is a healthy place to live 40% of survey respondents believe that there is a problem with the quality of health and well-being in Port Colborne 73% of survey respondents believe there is a need for greater access to recreation programs and services in Port Colborne
WHAT DID WE HEAR? Parks The most frequently visited parks include: H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park 1. Lock 8 Gateway Park 2. Nickel Beach 3. Recreational users value Port T.A. Lannan Sports Complex 4. Colborne’s waterfront, the Welland Humberstone Centennial Park & 5. Canal and access to clustered Beach recreational facilities/amenities
WHAT DID WE HEAR? Trails High usage of trails in Port Colborne 45% indicated they use trails once a week or more Some of the most popular trails in Port Colborne include: Friendship Trail Welland Canal Parkway Trail Waterfront Trail Mud Lake East/West Trail
WHAT DID WE HEAR? Recreational Facilities In terms of usage, recreational facilities are ranked as follows: Vale Health & Wellness Centre 1. Sugarloaf Harbour Marina 2. Roselawn Centre for the Arts 3. Lock 8 Lighthouse 4. Sherkston Community Centre 5. Bethel Community Centre 6. Humberstone Community Hall 7. * Ranked by % of respondents who visit once a week or more
WHAT DID WE HEAR? Most Attended City-run Events (in order): 1. Canal Days 2. Canada Day 3. SportsFest 4. Lighted Santa Claus Parade 5. Other (Art Crawl, Easter Egg Hunt, Harvest Fest, Carnival, Moon Flick, car shows) * Ranked by # of respondents who indicated yearly attendance.
WHAT DID WE HEAR? Programming Results indicate that the City could consider increasing program offerings in the following areas: Special events 1. Adventure activities 2. Environmental/nature activities 3. Watersport activities 4. Wellness activities (yoga, 5. Pilates) Indoor fitness 6.
STRENGTHS & ASSETS The most important • Waterfront & Beaches Parks & Rec strengths • Welland Canal and assets for Port • Physical features drive City events (Canal Days) Colborne includes… • Seasonal Activities & lifestyle • Unique parks (e.g. Lock 8) • Sugarloaf Harbour Marina • Local and Regional trails system • Dedicated volunteer base • Department committed to providing high level of service • Cultural heritage and connection to City’s past
WHAT IS MISSING, WHAT IS NEEDED? Parks: 79% feel there are a sufficient number of parks and open space in Port Colborne. 61% are satisfied with the aesthetic appearance and quality of the City’s public lands Improve general maintenance of parks/public spaces Improved urban ecology (e.g. more trees for shade, landscaping) Waste management & public washroom facilities
WHAT IS MISSING, WHAT IS NEEDED? Parks: The top three actions survey respondents are most willing to support when it comes to improving parks: Purchase or acquire land to improve 1. beach access and use (42%) Improve existing 2. walking/hiking/cycling trails (38%) Develop recreational and visitor 3. facilities and features along the canal (36%)
WHAT IS MISSING, WHAT IS NEEDED? Parks: 87% agree that the City should offer more diverse and specialized parks Transition underutilized parks to more ‘active parks’ with different recreational uses Improve access to waterfront for recreational use Nickel Beach improvements (parking and amenities, hours of usage) Safety of outdoor parks (CPTED)
WHAT IS MISSING, WHAT IS NEEDED? Trails: 72% feel there are a sufficient number of trails in the community. 62% feel that parks and trails are well signed and easy to locate. Wayfinding could use improvement to link trails to other Port Colborne parks/attractions Waterfront trails/access to waterfront (highly valued) Complete street connections/bike lanes More naturalized hiking trails Manage users of trails and reduce usage conflicts
WHAT IS MISSING, WHAT IS NEEDED? Facilities: Maintenance and updates to City-owned facilities Corporate partnership and sponsorships for facility management Optimize use of underutilized facilities Long-term planning and vision needed Gymnasium/warm-up space Repair and revitalize the Marina; increase storage Accessibility requirements and updates Top 3 Indoor Recreation Top 3 Outdoor Recreation Rank Facilities Requested Facilities Requested Indoor Child Playground Access to waterfront 1 Indoor Pool Outdoor swimming pool 2 Fitness/wellness facilities Walking/cycling trail system 3
WHAT IS MISSING, WHAT IS NEEDED? Events: Vision/direction for City’s flagship events 73% of survey respondents willing to continue supporting Canal Days with their tax dollars Strengthen linkage between events and Port Colborne’s unique history/features Improve promotion of events Central platform to share information about community events (beyond just City events)
WHAT IS MISSING, WHAT IS NEEDED? 1% 7% Programming: 13% How satisfied are you 1 = very unsatisfied with the availability of recreational 2 = unsatisfied opportunities and 33% services currently 3 = somewhat satisfied offered in the City of 4 = satisfied Port Colborne? 46% 5 = very satisfied
WHAT IS MISSING, WHAT IS NEEDED? Programming: What are the top three improvements or changes needed in recreational programming? Suggested Improvement Percentage of Respondents Reduced cost 40.5% More frequent offerings of programs 39.8% Improved marketing of programs 37.3% Greater variety 36.6% More convenient schedules 30.6% Enhanced/improved content 23.2% Other (please specify) 10.9% Need to accommodate more 10.6% participants No improvements/changes needed 9.2% Improved instruction/instructors 5.6%
WHAT IS MISSING, WHAT IS NEEDED? Programming: 34% of survey respondents indicated there are not enough programs for teenagers Suggestions on how to engage teenagers included: Increase engagement with schools Connect with teenagers via social media Alternative location for youth programming (Vale Center issues) Affordable/drop-in recreational activities
WHAT IS MISSING, WHAT IS NEEDED? Programming: Adult programming too! 31% of survey respondents indicated there are not enough programs for adults aged 19+ Offer programs/courses after work/weekends More fitness options Open swim and ice times Yoga Adventure activities
WHAT IS MISSING, WHAT IS NEEDED? Programming at YMCA: 35% of survey respondents are members Of those who are not members, 66% indicated this is because of high membership fees; 21% indicated inconvenient schedules Demand for flexible/customized membership structure (particularly for aquatic facilities)
A FRAMEWORK FOR RECREATION IN CANADA – PATHWAYS TO WELLBEING
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