The Parks and Recreation Master Plan is at the stage of public input, accepting suggestions for improvements and new recreational ideas in neighbourhoods.
“We are at a point where we believe things had changed enough as it relates to participation in different activities. There are some demographics changes and shifts that are happening in our community and we think it’s time to go back and re-visit the plan,” said Jon-Paul McGonigle, Division Manager Parks and Recreation at City Hall.
Some of the Master Plan projects in the past were the Stoney and Creek Community Centre, Southwest Community Centre, YMCA and Library, etc.
“We use those plans to go to council, obtain funding, we start to save the money, and put the money away, so we know in 15 years we are going to need a community centre somewhere,” said McGonigle
Citizens are encouraged to complete the online survey and submit their new recreational ideas for the next 10 to 20 years.
“What people would like to see in parks and recreation that don’t currently see. The costing will come at a later time and probably to the next multi-year budget in 2020,” said McGonigle.
Parks and Recreation is one of the most important facilities for many families in London.
“It’s a big contributor to a better quality of life for individuals for their communities, so its very important that people get involved in the process and provide their input,” said Division Manager.
Growth is one of the reasons why the city is taking action.
“It is really important to pay attention to growth,” he said. “What areas are growing, what areas are not growing and not only what are areas are growing, but how those areas are growing; what demographics make up that neighbourhood,” said McGonigle.
The Master Plan has been translated to French, Arabic, and Spanish. People can send their ideas in their first language and then the city will translate the petitions.
About 1,000 people have responded to the online survey so far.
Complete Master Plan and survey can be found at getinvolved.london.ca/playyourway
