Frequently Asked Questions
Through the review of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Assets Master Plan, and in response to reviewing Sherwood Forest Park as a centre for sports excellence, the following questions were posed by residents:
1. What is the Sherwood Forest Park Soccer Centre of Excellence Feasibility Study?
The purpose of the Sherwood Forest Park – Soccer Centre of Excellence Feasibility Study is to find ways to enhance soccer programming and facilities at Sherwood Forest Park and to respond to growth in the sport of soccer. The study results will provide details on the look and function of the park for the next 20 years.
2. Why do we need to make changes to Sherwood Forest Park, when it already is an active city sports park?
The proposed options for Sherwood Forest Park would mean the same number of fields but would include higher quality replacement fields that will improve play for users, and allow for better maintenance practices.
3. How did the city get to this point with the Sherwood Forest Master Plan?
In 2008 council identified Sherwood Forest Park as a soccer centre of excellence. The Sherwood Forest Park Soccer Centre of Excellence Feasibility Study was part of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Assets Master Plan that began in 2008. For more information on the history of the project please see the Project History section.
4. How does the Pan Am Games bid fit with the Sherwood Forest Park Master Plan?
Sherwood Forest Park was an identified venue for soccer as part of the 2015 Pan Am Games bid. The Pan Am Games have certain standards and requirements for hosting venues. Two of the three concepts developed for Sherwood Forest Park fit with the Pan Am Games.
5. Why was there no public consultation on the Pan Am Games bid?
The Pan Am Games bid was confidential as a result of approval from City Council with guidance from the Pan Am Games bid committee and staff.
6. Has the city completed lighting, noise and parking details?
The city considered parking needs when developing options for Sherwood Forest Park. Lighting and noise studies may be considered at another time.
Parking for special or large events would be managed through the city’s special events policies and would consider off-site parking, shuttle services, and parking and traffic control.
9. Why do all the drawings of park options show a road through Sherwood Forest Park?
This connection was first identified in 1969 in the Town of Burlington Traffic Planning Report (1965-1985). Since the city may develop this road in the future, this road allowance appears in all options so no permanent structure is built on the proposed Fairview/Harvester Road connection.
12. What about the other issues associated with Sherwood Forest Park? Will the master plan address drainage, parking and noise?
Many of these issues will be addressed when the project moves into the detailed design phase. This process will begin after council has endorsed an option for the park.
13. Do plans include vehicular access from Mullin Way into Sherwood Forest Park?
There is no vehicular access from Mullin Way into Sherwood Forest Park included in any of the options.
14. Will a children’s playground be retained in the park?
Yes.
15. What is going to happen with the tennis courts?
The tennis courts are in need of repair or removal. Council approved the removal of the tennis courts in 2009. Should tennis be an identified need, staff would recommend looking at alternative locations in the park for tennis so that the drainage matters can still be addressed and that the approved third dome for the park can be accommodated.