The 2009 City of Burlington Parks, Recreation and Cultural Assets Master Plan provides a broader policy and strategic framework for the ongoing development and delivery of parks, recreation and cultural facilities and services for the next 20 years. The plan is responsive to many changes and evolving interests in our community such as:

• slower population growth
• shifts to an aging and more culturally diverse population
• limited funding available through development
• greater diversification of leisure interests and embracing inclusivity and “recreation for all”
• providing higher calibre sport opportunities and programs of excellence
• addressing aging infrastructure
• ensuring sufficient parkland in neighbourhoods that may be subject to land use changes and
• development intensification
• increasing capacity building, collaboration and innovative partnership opportunities
• environmental pursuits and experiences
• cultural interests and opportunities
• leveraging sport, recreation and cultural assets to stimulate local economy
• alternative financial models and greater expectation for user paid services

The plan recognizes the significant efforts and investments that have been made over the past decade to enhance services to the community. It also recognizes a very progressive community partnership model which has expanded the scope of leisure opportunities within the community which is virtually unparalleled in the region if not the province.

Running in parallel with the Master Plan were a number of Council directed feasibility studies that investigated options and opportunities for various park and facility development projects of specific interest to Council. The feasibility studies were integrated with the Master Plan in order to realize efficiencies in terms of common research efforts and also to ensure strategic and policy alignment amongst all initiatives. The firm of F.J. Galloway Associates in association with the IBI Group and Malhotra Nicholson Sheffield Architects Inc. were retained to undertake the integrated studies.

In addition to a formal public consultation program, there were other numerous meetings with stakeholders such as the Major Ice Users Group and several ward/neighbourhood meetings called by Council members to discuss the various projects and options. The overall initiative was managed on a day to day basis by a core project team of Parks and Recreation staff, and overseen at a corporate level by a broader Steering Committee of senior staff from various areas of the City as well as the Public Library.

For more information on the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Assets Master Plan please contact Jim Seferiades, Recreation Planner, Parks and Recreation Department at 905-335-7785 or e-mail at seferiadesj@burlington.ca