The Municipality of Chatham-Kent Parks and Recreation Master Plan

Executive Summary Report

IBI GROUP 2010 In conjunction with F. J. Galloway Associates Inc. Monteith Brown

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent Parks and Recreation Master Plan

Executive Summary Report 1. INTRODUCTION

This Executive Summary provides Council, staff and the public with an overview of the key outcomes and recommendations of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan for the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. This summary is divided into an overview of the Master Plan process; a section setting out the focus of the Master Plan; and key recommendations from each of the functional areas. The consulting team acknowledges the valuable support and input provided by Council, municipal staff and the many community members and organizations, all who made significant contributions to the Master Plans recommendations. This is the first comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan for the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. The Municipality was a newly created municipality in 1998 through the amalgamation of twenty-three municipalities and has a population of 108,000 residents within an area of 2,494 square kilometres. This Master Plan is intended to provide strategic direction for the investment, resourcing and decision-making for the next twenty years to 2030. The purpose of the Master Plan is to maximize the availability of parks and recreation lands, facilities and programming that contribute significantly to the quality of life and economic development of Chatham-Kent.

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2. MASTER PLAN PROCESS

In the fall of 2007, a consulting team was selected, and based on the Terms of Reference, a four-phased work program was developed for the Master Plan: Phase 1 Understanding the Community - The consulting team completed background research; trends assessment; and organizational, financial and business practices analyses. Phase 2 Engaging the Community Over a number of months, the team conducted staff consultation, focus groups, a household survey, community workshops and Council consultations. Phase 3 Draft Parks and Recreation Master Plan The consultants prepared a Master Plan foundation for parks and open space service levels and recreation facilities, programming and service delivery; along with beachfront and energy conservation strategies. Phase 4 Final Parks and Recreation Master Plan The consulting team is in the process of undertaking public open houses; a staff development workshop; and a Council presentation as a basis to finalize the Master Plan in June 2010.

The Master Plan has been developed on three major themes and two specific strategies. The major themes start with a broad overview moving towards specific delivery strategies and service levels. The two strategies relate to shoreline recreational use and energy conservation for recreation facilities. Later, action plan and implementation strategies will be developed to provide direction on achieving the intended outcomes. Master Plan Foundation: Section 3.0 provides the philosophical foundation and strategic directions for the Master Plan based on a Vision and Mission Statement that reflects the unique perspectives in Chatham-Kent. Recreation Service Delivery Policies, Strategies and Programming: Section 4.0 provides direction to Council, staff and service delivery volunteer organizations on the future approach to service delivery.

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Parks, Open Space and Recreation Facilities: Section 5.0 establishes a hierarchy of parks provisioning, open space and outdoor facilities. It also addresses the need for major new recreation facilities and programs. Beachfront and Shoreline: Section 6.0 provides general direction for the acquisition, maintenance and operation of waterfront opportunities throughout the Municipality of Chatham-Kent Energy Utilization and Conservation Strategies: Section 7.0 provides general direction to reduce energy consumption, water conservation and potential energy use reduction and production in recreation facilities. Action Plan and Implementation: Section 8.0 provides an implementation framework and related elements to guide the Master Plans ongoing implementation and updating. This section will be prepared after public consultation on the Master Plan.

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3.

MASTER PLAN FOUNDATION

The key parts of the Master Plan Foundation are the Vision and the Mission. The Vision provides the overarching long term focus and inspires all stakeholders to achieve a common goal.

.1 VISION:

Chatham-Kent will be a community where residents value and enjoy healthy, vibrant and engaged lifestyles through regular participation in recreation, parks, and open space activities.

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The Mission speaks to the key elements of the Master Plan. Each strategy and decision associated with parks and recreation services should align with the intent and direction of the Mission Statement.

.2 MISSION STATEMENT:

The Parks and Recreation Master Plan engages all the communitys abilities and resources towards the development of parks, open spaces and the delivery of recreation services that enrich the life experiences of the residents of ChathamKent, through: Increasing residents health, vitality, personal development and sense of community; Enhancing the capacity of community organizations as sustainable and vibrant contributors to the availability of quality recreation activities and venues; Supporting renewal and reinvestment in parks, recreation facilities and open space to ensure sustainable resources. Improving economic development outcomes by investing in parks and recreation programming and facilities.

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4.

RECREATION SERVICE DELIVERY POLICIES, STRATEGIES AND PROGRAMMING

This Section provides direction to Council, staff and community service delivery organizations on the future approach and priorities for service delivery. The goal is to offer programs and services that respond to the existing and future recreation interests and needs of Chatham-Kent residents. .1 Service Delivery Approach: That community-based organizations represent the principal service delivery approach for recreation programs, and the principal approach for expanding the accessibility, affordability, variety and sustainability of recreation programs in Chatham-Kent.

.2 Municipal Role: Chatham-Kent will achieve its service delivery role through the planning, development, delivery and evaluation of recreation services based on the following hierarchy of municipal engagement and roles within its financial priorities and strategies identified by Council

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The Municipality will engage with community organizations to facilitate and support the development and delivery of recreation services by providing a variety of support functions. The Municipality will enter into partnerships, joint ventures and related initiatives at variable levels of involvement that result in a shared responsibility for recreation service delivery. The Municipality will undertake direct delivery of recreation services where there is an established need, and where facilitation and partnerships delivery strategies are not viable or available.

.3 Prioritization Process: That Chatham-Kent adopt a process to prioritize recreation services that focuses first on municipal residents as the primary users within the following framework; supports Councils strategic directions; supports broad-based resident participation; ensures the inclusion of groups with special needs; and creates opportunities for sport tourism events. .4 Leadership Role: That the Community Services Division will have a leadership role in the integration, planning and evaluation of recreation services. The Division will become involved based on demonstrated need; long term sustainability; commitments to public accessibility and affordability. The Division will establish an evaluation process through development of a data collection and performance evaluation program.

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.5 Partnerships and Joint Ventures: That Chatham-Kent continue to lead and support partnerships, joint ventures and related initiatives where: a recreation need is identified and demonstrated; community access, participation and affordability is assured; the partnership arrangement is financially sound and has long term sustainability; and the municipal investment and scope of service reflects the level of benefits to be realized by Chatham-Kent residents. .6 Volunteer Organization Capacity Development: That the Community Services Division recognize the voluntary sector as a vital partner in the delivery of recreation programming, and that municipal organizational capacities be identified to support the existing and future service delivery role and abilities of volunteer organizations in Chatham-Kent. .7 Multi-Use Facilities: That Chatham-Kent continue to utilize and undertake wherever possible, the development of multi-use approaches in the renewal, reinvestment and development of new recreation services, facilities and parks. .8 Annual Communication Strategy: That the Division prepare and implement an annual communications strategy for the purpose of creating broader public awareness of recreation programming and facilities, to promote healthier lifestyles, to encourage greater resident participation and to provide educational opportunities on the importance of parks and open spaces. .9 Sport Tourism Strategy: That Chatham-Kent pursue the collaborative development of a sport tourism strategy based on partnerships with Chatham-Kent Tourism, community sports organizations and the business sector.

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.10 Program Directions: That the Division consider the further development and expansion of programming offered, either through partnerships with other community organizations or through direct delivery, for the following program areas: information and development for walking, hiking and cycling trail use; older adult programming; opportunities for extreme sports; mass participation activities, and municipal-wide events that support improved health, education and community spirit. .11 Community Group Governance and Operations Model: That Chatham-Kent develop a governance and operations model for municipally-owned facilities and parks as follows: municipal responsibility for recreation venue and facility maintenance; local clubs and groups to plan and operate recreation programs; staff represent the Municipality on local governing bodies; and ensuring consistent user fees for service charges and participation fees charged by the local not-for-profit organizations. .12 Community Service Contracts: That Chatham-Kent ensure a current valid contract exists for the operation of all municipally-owned venues and facilities, and that all contracts be reviewed and updated to identify benefits and services to be delivered. This reinforces the Municipalitys ultimate responsibility for effective asset management. All use, scheduling and maintenance undertaken by the not-for-profit organization needs to conform to the following policy criteria and standards established by the Municipality: The contract to identify details regarding capital and annual cost responsibilities between the parties, how revenues will be generated and shared, and the rates to be charged; and The contract to have detailed rates and performance clauses for both the Municipality and not-for-profit organization related to regular maintenance, scheduling limits, the variety of permitted uses, and regular performance review criteria.

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.13 Recreation Activity Councils: That Chatham-Kent continue to support or form specialized activity councils as a means to generate community input for the purpose of better supporting communications, assessing and reviewing programs and facilities and pursuing planning activities that improve access to community support services. These activity councils may include the following focuses: Youth, Trails, Seniors and Sports.

.14 Community Partnership Fund: That Chatham-Kent sustain the community partnership funding program for community-based programming, capital and event investments as a key service delivery and development strategy. .15 User Fee Policy: That Chatham-Kent undertake a comprehensive assessment and development strategy related to programs and facility user fees that results in user fees based on the cost of service delivery; fairness and equity amongst all user groups; user fee model establishing coverage targets by service area; and staged implementation of user fee strategies up to five years. .16 Individual Participant Financial Support: That Chatham-Kent continue its involvement in providing individual participants financial support to access recreation programs for its directly delivered services based on: identified benefit of participation to qualified individuals; a reasonable assessment of the financial or other limitations that prohibit participation; and selective monitoring of financially supported participants to ensure engagement and to assess benefits. .17 Multi-Municipal / Multi-Organizational Approach: That Chatham-Kent pursue initiatives to maintain and enhance opportunities for multi-municipal and multiorganizational service delivery with neighbouring municipalities, St. Clair College, the YMCA, and the not-for-profit organizations by exploring opportunities for a more integrated service delivery model, implementation that facilitates increased public accessibility to recreation programs and facilities and improves operational and capital investment returns for all parties. Where the Municipality makes a significant capital investment in third party facilities, it needs to ensure that it completes a Community Access Agreement that facilitates resident accessibility. .18 Community Use of Schools: That Chatham-Kent continue to explore and develop strategies and protocols with local school boards that effectively increase community accessibility to public school sites for recreation programming and sports activities as a key support for not-for-profit and municipal directly delivered recreation services.

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.19 New Program or Facility Business Plans: That any new facility or program initiative or major addition or renovation to existing facilities with a potential capital cost of greater than $250,000 or annual program operating cost of more than $50,000 be supported by a comprehensive Business Plan. That the Division direct the undertaking of Business Plans by seeking broad-based public consultation and community engagement, along with not-for-profit organization or partner input; and that the outcomes of the Business Plan, upon finalization and acceptance for a new venue or facility be incorporated into the ten-year capital budget forecast for the Municipality.

5.

PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION FACILITIES SERVICE LEVELS

This section recommends the classification, function and provisioning standards for parks; official plan policies; indoor and outdoor recreation facilities; and resource renewal and investment directions. These recommendations provide guidance for decisions regarding parks and recreation lands, facilities and buildings for Chatham-Kent. .1 Parks and Open Space Framework: That Chatham-Kent adopt a framework for the establishment, renewal, maintenance and operation of parks and open space lands based on the following: that a balance of active and passive recreation opportunities be available; that parks be equally distributed; that parks be well utilized to meet community needs; that portions of existing parkland be considered for naturalization; and that community organizations be allowed to maintain and operate parklands when viable.

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.2 Parkland Classification: That Chatham-Kent adopt the following classification of parks: Parkettes Small green spaces to be used for commemorative events, passive rest areas and enhanced urban design. Neighbourhood Parks primarily park venues to satisfy local neighbourhood needs and be used for passive, playground and recreational sports activities. Community Parks larger park venues to serve several neighbourhoods and be used for passive, playground and house league and competitive sports activities. Municipal Parks important outdoor areas that provide large or unique venues for outdoor events and recreation and competitive sporting activities.

.3 Surplus Parkland: That Chatham-Kent consider the sale of surplus parkette sites consisting of remnant parcels with limited recreation infrastructure, facilities or function, and the funds be reinvested in the same community by purchasing or enlarging existing or planned neighbourhood parks. The Municipality of Chatham-Kent Parks and Recreation Master Plan | 4/23/2010 .4 Trails Master Plan Integration: That Chatham-Kent integrate the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and Trails Master Plan through the following directions: adopt the hierarchy of trails; emphasize connections with parks; local looped trail systems to be incorporated into community parks; prepare and distribute a community parks and trails map. .5 Parks and Open Space Provisioning Levels: Adopt the following parkland provisioning standards: Parkettes / Neighbourhood Parks be provided at 1.0 hectare per 1000 population; Community Parks be provided at 1.0 hectare per 1000 population; Municipal Parks, including conservation areas, provincial and federal parks and public open spaces and areas, be provided at 3.0 hectares per 1000 population; and Pursue an increase in total park area in the Chatham and Wallaceburg Wards to 3.0 hectares per 1000 population.

.6 Parkland Acquisition Policies: That parkland be acquired through: Planning Act dedication provisions; evaluating former school sites for purchase; accepting parkland donations where appropriate; pursuing conservation easements or establish a land trust for natural heritage areas; and the municipal purchase of land for parks.

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.7 Official Plan Policies: That Chatham-Kent amend the Official Plan policies by: deleting District Parks; adding Parkettes; and changing the name of Regional Parks to Municipal Parks; that one Neighbourhood Park be required per 5,000 new residents and one Community Park be required per 15,000 new residents in newly developing areas; with land to be dedicated at the rate of 5% of developable lands or one hectare per 300 dwelling units, whichever is greater; continue working with federal and provincial parks and Conservation Authorities in the delivery of parks and recreation services on their lands. .8 Outdoor Facilities Field Framework: That Chatham-Kent adopt the following framework for outdoor field service levels: Neighbourhood Sports Fields for recreational level activities; Community Sports Fields for competitive and house league play; and Municipal Sports Fields for recreation, competitive and sport tourism uses.

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.9 Municipal Sports Venue: That Chatham-Kent develop a Municipal Sports Venue in a five to ten year time frame located on the edge of Chatham with good access to Highway 401.

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.10 Baseball Fields: That Chatham-Kent continue to maintain the existing baseball fields where local house leagues for youth and adult programs demonstrate a sustainable number of participants.

.11 Soccer Fields: That Chatham-Kent maintain the existing number of soccer fields where local house and competitive leagues for youth and adult demonstrate a sustainable number of participants and; where an increasing demand for soccer fields is shown, redeveloping baseball fields to soccer fields be considered. .12 Outdoor Courts: That Chatham-Kent redevelop and invest in multi-use courts over the five to ten year horizon; add two new multi-use courts in each of Wallaceburg, North Kent, South Kent and West Kent Wards to balance the distribution of courts; and redevelop existing basketball courts into multi-use courts through the lifecycle renewal process. .13 Playgrounds, Pavilions and Skateboard Parks: That Chatham-Kent reinvest and renew outdoor facilities, including playground equipment, picnic pavilions and skateboard venues on a lifecycle basis, and that Chatham-Kent develop a new skateboard park in the Chatham Ward.

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.14 Arenas: That Chatham-Kent undertake the following investments in arenas in the next three to ten years: Invest in existing arena facilities based on energy conservation; accessibility and equipment maintenance needs; Replace Memorial and Erickson Arenas with twin ice pads of 85 feet x 200 feet, with seating for 2,000 to 2,500, along with dressing rooms, a heated viewing area and meeting rooms; a recreational multi-use facility; and walking track; Funding sources be investigated including reserve funds, fundraising; user fee surcharges; federal and provincial grant programs; Investigate redeveloping Erickson Arena as multi-use recreation facility.

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.15 Indoor and Outdoor Pools: That Chatham-Kent continue to operate and maintain Gable Reese and Sydenham Pools, and that the Municipality explore options with the YMCA to provide lessons and programming for both of the pools as an extension of the new YMCA in Chatham-Kent; support the YMCAs new pool, ensuring there is identified public access for lessons, programming and public swim opportunities on a weekly basis; monitor the rates of activities in terms of lessons, daily bathers and operating costs for Gable Reese and the Sydenham Pools; and retain existing outdoor pools in Dresden, Ridgetown, Thamesville and Tilbury.

.16 Splash Pads: That Chatham-Kent develop at least one splash pad in each of the primary urban centres; Chatham, Wallaceburg, Blenheim, Tilbury, Ridgetown and Dresden; and replace outdoor pool venues with a splash pad where alternative indoor pools are available. .17 Off-Leash Dog Parks: That Chatham-Kent develop two off-leash dog parks in Chatham and one off-leash dog park in Wallaceburg over the next three to five years.

.18 Multi-Use Facilities Strategies: That Chatham-Kent adopt the following strategies for multi-use facilities; Continue to undertake Building Condition Study reports on major facilities every ten years; Renewal of multi-use facilities be a preferred alternative over new facility development where viable; Identify the primary urban centres as priority locations for new investment or renewal in multi-purpose rooms; Reinvest in multi-purpose rooms that are integrated with other buildings or sites used for recreational purposes or aligned programming and identified needs;

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have the highest occupancy rates, handicapped accessibility, have received investments and upgrades in the last five years; have an identified organization that has demonstrated a sustainable commitment to the ongoing programming, operation and financial support for the multi-purpose room.

6.

BEACH FRONT AND SHORELINE STRATEGIES

The following section recommends strategies for beach front and shoreline development and activities in Chatham-Kent. .1 Shoreline Ownership: That Chatham-Kent continue to retain ownership of its beach and shoreline properties for public access, with portions of these lands, where suitable being naturalized; assemble additional shoreline properties along ChathamKent lakes and rivers where it adds to existing municipal ownership and facilitate the donation of land or the establishment of conservation easements along shorelines for public access. .2 Shoreline Facilities: That Chatham-Kent continue to maintain and invest in convenience, health and safety facilities at waterfront venues; shoreline park facilities be maintained regularly; and monitor shoreline water quality, posting appropriate information for users. .3 Shoreline Programming: That Chatham-Kent promote and support shoreline venues as destinations for resident participation, community and fundraising events; and water-based sporting events.

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7.

ENERGY UTILIZATION AND CONSERVATION STRATEGIES

The following section recommends strategies for energy utilization and conservative measures at arenas and pools in Chatham-Kent. .1 Energy Conservation Best Practices: That ChathamKent adopt best practice measures for arenas and swimming pools to reduce energy consumption and increase conservation measures. .2 Renewal and Reinvestment Strategies: That Chatham-Kent consider investments in the replacement of equipment, motors and related facility equipment, selecting energy efficiency components. .3 Energy Use in New Construction: That Chatham-Kent adopt Leadership In Energy and Environment Design (LEED), minimum silver standards or a similar standard for all new recreation facility development. .4 Renewable Energy Production: That Chatham-Kent explore opportunities for electrical energy production and solar hot water heating with the installation of solar panels or piping systems on large roof tops of recreation and municipal facilities.

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