The City of Owen Sound retained MHBC Planning Limited to undertake the Recreation, Parks and Facilities Master Plan Update.
The scope of the study included:
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A complete review of the existing Recreation, Parks & Facilities Master Plan with a focus on aligning this with the City's new Strategic Plan;
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Financial sustainability; and
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An analysis of the current and future needs of the City to determine if the parks and facilities are meeting the needs of residents and users today and into the future.
The update was requested by Council through the 2016 Service Review.
2007 Recreation, Parks & Facilities Master Plan
The original Recreation, Parks and Facilities Master Plan was completed in 2007 and has seen several initiatives successfully implemented such as the construction of the Julie McArthur Regional Recreation Centre in partnership with the YMCA of Owen Sound Grey-Bruce. In August of 2016, a Report Card was submitted as to the status of the goals and objectives outlined in the 2007 Recreation, Parks & Facilities Master Plan.
The Update will examine how the needs of the City and its residents have changed since 2007, how the recreation landscape has evolved and reinforce the goals and objectives of the City for the next decade as it pertains to Recreation, Parks and Facilities.
Public Open House and Information Sessions
September 27, 2017 Public Open House
The Recreation, Parks & Facilities Master Plan Update got underway with a Public Open House on September 27, 2017 in the Bay Room at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre.
MHBC Planning Limited provided a presentation with a brief overview of the purpose, goals and objectives for the Master Plan Update.
Approximately 50 members of the community showed up and were separated into working groups.
Each working group was presented with the following questions to answer as it pertains to Recreation, Parks & Facilities in Owen Sound. The results were recorded, presented to those in attendance and will be used to form the body of the public survey.
Question 1:
What is your level of satisfaction with existing recreation, parks and facilities in Owen Sound? What are the 3 things you appreciate, and what 3 things would you like to see improved upon?
Question 2:
Develop a list of recreation, parks facilities and trails that you currently use. Using your list, how could these facilities be improved (maintenance, size of space, programming, accessibility)? What barriers exist to participating and using recreation, parks and trails in Owen Sound?
Question 3:
What new programs would you like to see offered to the community? What programs would you like to see expanded upon?
Question 4:
Are there enough parks and trails? Are existing parks and trails well located for ease of use? Are there parks and/or trails that could be improved upon so that they would be better utilized? Please identify these parks and trails.
Question 5:
Would you support the idea of altering the use of under-utilized parks and open spaces in order to improve their usage and meet the changing recreation needs of residents?
December 13, 2017 Open House and Presentation
The City of Owen Sound invites you to an open house and presentation of the draft Owen Sound Recreation, Parks & Facilities Master Plan. We wish to thank all who participated in the survey and initial open house. The survey garnered over 500 responses, ensuring Owen Sound's updated Master Plan is formed by valuable feedback from residents and stakeholders.
The Recreation, Parks & Facilities Master Plan Update will provide the City with a long term strategy to be used as a guide in managing and developing recreational programs, services and facilities as well as parks, open space and trails. This update of the plan builds on the previous Recreation, Parks & Facilities Master Plan as well as the City's 2015 Strategic Plan.
On Wednesday, December 13th, the consulting team from MHBC Planning will present highlights from public input including the survey and draft Master Plan. Residents and stakeholders are invited to attend this public meeting and presentation. An opportunity to ask questions will be available.
Event Location:
Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre - Shore Room
Time:
Public open house - 6:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Presentation - 7:00 PM
The presentation and draft document will be made available online Thursday, December 14th, following the meeting at www.owensound.ca/haveyoursay. Public feedback of the draft update will be accepted until Friday, December 22nd at 12:00 PM and can be submitted to Julie Welch of MHBC Planning via email at jwelch@mhbcplan.com.
January 17, 2018 Final Presentation
On December 13, 2017 the City's Community Services Committee hosted an Open House and Public Meeting where the consulting team from MHBC presented the draft Recreation, Parks & Facilities Master Plan. Public feedback on the draft findings is being accepted until January 12th and can be sent to Julie Welch at jwelch@mhbcplan.com.
Based on public input and feedback received a revised Recreation, Parks & Facilities Master Plan will be presented at the January 17th meeting of the Community Services Committee.
Meeting Location:
Suite 220 - Professional Centre
945 3rd Avenue East
Owen Sound, ON
Date & Time:
Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at 6:30 PM
The Recreation, Parks & Facilities Master Plan Update will provide the City with a long term strategy to be used as a guide in managing and developing recreational programs, services and facilities as well as parks, open space and trails. This update of the plan builds on the previous Recreation, Parks & Facilities Master Plan as well as the City's 2015 Strategic Plan.
Media & Communications
On Wednesday, September 13, 2017, the City of Owen Sound issued a media release notifying the public of the update to the Recreation, Parks and Facilities Master Plan and the steps that would be taken throughout the process.
The City launched a targeted Social Media campaign from September 20 to 27, 2017 targeting users within the City of Owen Sound - informing them of the Public Open House. During that time, the campaign generated over 5,800 views. This reach was generated outside of the typical reach a non-promoted post would generate.