A plan for outdoor park spaces across the city is on the way.
After months of development, a draft Parks Master Plan has been completed and is on October 5’s council agenda, to be referred to committee for further discussion.
“This new master plan comes at a time when we’ve been reminded just how much of an important contributor our parks, trails and open spaces are to the quality of life in North Bay,” said Coun, Johanne Brousseau, Chair of Council’s Community Services Committee. “Accessible and welcoming park spaces support the physical, social, ecological and economic health and well-being of our residents and the community. I look forward to the adoption and implementation of the new plan.”
The plan provides a 20-year roadmap to help guide the city in delivering a network of park spaces within the context of existing outdoor recreation sites as well as evolving recreational needs, demographics and new park spaces.
A release from the city says a key finding of the plan is North Bay currently has a high-quality of parks inventory. “As such, the plan does not propose to significantly overhaul this inventory, but instead, proposes to adjust and develop amenities as required in order create a park network that meets the needs of residents within developed areas of the city,” reads the statement.
The Master Plan reviews each park space within the city and provides recommendations. In some cases, the plan recommends spaces remain as is; in others, the addition of more play equipment and recreational space.
Over the lifetime of the plan, and based on available capital and operational budgets, as well as Council priorities, select projects include:
- A new play structure at Police Playground
- A new play structure, seating and shade at Millford Crescent Park
- New pickleball courts at Bourke Park
- A new dog park at Thomson Park
- Seating and shade structures at Belleview Park
- Full court basketball/ball hockey surface at Circle Lake Park
Read the draft Parks Master Plan here: https://bit.ly/2YlZSmb
