Parks & Recreation

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Complete

Preserve both publicly and privately owned open spaces for public enjoyment and protect them from any form of development.

Provide zoning classifications that incorporate the Island’s active and passive open space facilities.

Action Points:
  • Prepare an inventory / map of all existing Public and Community Open spaces.
  • Update the Zoning Map to include rezoning of all these sites.
  • Amend the Planning and Development Regulations to include all existing Land for Public Purpose (LPP) and other open space into one of the open space zone classifications.
  • Update the subdivision process to include a streamlined rezoning process for Open Space dedication.

Complete

Ensure that there is proper planning for the future of the Island’s recreation facilities and open spaces.

Identify the Island’s short- and long-term demands and needs for recreation and open space facilities while developing a plan that addresses these needs.

Action Points:
  • Develop a Comprehensive Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan.
  • Elements should include:
    • Public and stakeholder participation programme
    • Short-term plan
    •  Long-term plan
    •  Land acquisition plan
    • Maintenance plan
    • Funding source identification
  • The Plan should address all types of recreation and open space features, including:
    • Natural preserves; Passive open space; Parks and Playgrounds; Ball fields and courts; Pools; Picnic areas; Nature and urban trails; Running; walking and cycling paths; Boat launches and docks; Beaches and beach access points; Golf courses; Gyms; Water sport facilities; and Land for Public Purposes
  • Facilities should address a range of scales, including:
    • National
    • Regional
    • Neighbourhood/local
    • Private facilities
    • Networks (Typically used for trails, linear parks, and marine facilities).

Ensure an adequate supply of the Island’s recreation facilities to meet the community’s needs and demands.

Action Points:
  • Conduct an inventory of public and private recreation, open space, and LPP sites on the Island.
  • Identify and map type of facility, size, location, amenities, and ownership (private/public).
  • Conduct a needs analysis for additional recreation facilities.
  • Evaluate existing inventory and identify “holes” in relation to population bases.
  • Conduct a public outreach programme to determine communities’ needs as well as “wish-lists” while identifying funding options.
  • With stakeholder group input, identify their specific facility needs (sports leagues and clubs, water sports operators, etc.)
  • Utilise the findings of the previous two action items to guide the development of a Comprehensive Recreation and Open Space Plan.

Encourage adequate distribution and accessibility of recreational and open space facilities

Action Points:
  • Distribute recreation facilities throughout the Island based on location of population densities and needs.
  • All residential communities should have access to some recreation facilities such as playgrounds, pocket parks, sports fields and courts, etc.
  • The amount of these facilities should be relatively proportionate to the area’s population.
  • Sites should be accessible and linked by open space and/or trails when possible.
  • Develop neighbourhood scale parks with safe bicycle and pedestrian access to the surrounding residences.
  • To the best extent possible, link the Island’s park system with linear foot and bike paths.
  • All parks should have access plans for pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles.

Complete

Ensure adequate funding for the implementation of a Comprehensive Recreation and Open Space Plan.

Establish the appropriate funding source for development and maintenance of the Island’s recreation and open space facilities.

Action Points:
  • Establish a dedicated funding source for the development and maintenance of an expanded public park system.
  • Collect impact fees from new developments and subdivisions to contribute to recreation facility development.
  • Allocate funds from Environmental fees towards the purchase of open space property.
  • Establish incentive programmes for private donations of recreation facilities such as the Dart parks.
  • Identify other long-range funding mechanisms for the continued land acquisition, construction, and maintenance of an Island-wide parks, recreation, and open space network.

Complete

Improve the existing Land for Public Purposes (LPP) requirements to create more neighbourhood parks within subdivisions and other residential developments.

Utilise LPP dedications for active recreation facilities or the protection of valuable natural resources.

Action Points:
  • Review and revise the Land for Public Purpose section of the Planning Regulations.
  • Allow development on existing LPP parcels that are not being utilised for parks and recover revenues through appropriate mechanisms. This may only occur with permission from surrounding property owners.
  • Require a minimum parcel size for future LPP dedication.
  • If the dedication requirement does not meet the minimum acreage, require an in-lieu fee payment.
  • Use of in-lieu LPP fees and revenue generated from the sale of LPP development rights shall be dedicated to land acquisition, recreation facility construction, and maintenance of recreation facilities in the general area of the project site.
  • Require developers to include recreation facilities on LPP park sites.
  • If environmentally sensitive lands are identified on a project site, the CPA may require these lands to be dedicated as LPP, even if the property does not meet the minimum required acreage.
  • All new LPP lands shall be deeded to the Crown.
  • All LPP parks shall be accessible for use by the general public. Certain environmentally protected areas may be exempt from this requirement.

Complete

Ensure adequate recreation, trail, and open space performance and design standards.

Apply consistent requirements while enhancing the overall park, recreation, and open space network’s design and amenities.

Action Points:
  • Develop performance standards to define the required recreation and open space contribution for all developments.
  • Establish a minimum target ratio for recreation facilities and parks per person.
  • Establish a hierarchy of park, trail, and open space types.
  • Establish a minimum distance standard for recreation facilities in relationship to established and new neighbourhoods.
  • Establish minimum open space/recreation facility requirements for all major developments, including multi-family residential, subdivisions, commercial, and industrial. The latter two would typically consist of items such as pedestrian trail links and green spaces for lunch or breaks.

Develop design standards to define minimum requirements for recreation development projects.

Action Points:
  • Standards shall address, at a minimum, the following elements:
    • Signage and access requirements for coastal projects;
    • Playground, ball court, and athletic field minimum standards;
    • Trail requirements and specifications;
    • Accessibility standards;
    • Signage standards;
    • Amenity requirements, including:
      • Cabanas; Benches; Lighting; Drinking water; Restrooms; Dining and picnic areas;
    • Landscaping and irrigation standards;
    • Aesthetic requirements;
    • Material, structural, plumbing, and electrical standards;
    • Relationship to surrounding community (Flying objects, lights, noise, etc.);
    • Parking; and
    • Pedestrian and bicycle access.