New Westminster Parks and Recreation Plan Update

Project Update, September 26, 2024: The engagement summary report from Round 1 of engagement is now available! Through a variety of engagement activities, more than 2,000 participants shared their thoughts about current parks and recreation offerings in New Westminster and ideas about what they want to see in the future. Click here for a summary of the process and highlights of what community members shared. For a more detailed report, click here.

Thank you to all who participated in Round 1, and congratulations to the recipients of the draw prizes. Thirty participants received a 10-visit ActivePass to Parks & Recreation facilities! We also appreciate your patience while the project team worked to compile, organize and summarize the Round 1 engagement process and findings. There was a large amount of input collected through a diverse range of ways to participate, which led to a longer process for reporting than we originally expected!

The project team is now working with the engagement input and other data to develop preliminary recommendations for the new Parks and Recreation Plan. We plan to share the draft recommendations and seek your feedback on them this winter. Stay tuned for updates and additional opportunities to help shape the plan.

Project Update, June 11, 2024: Round 1 of engagement is now wrapping up, and the survey has closed. Thank you to all for the enthusiastic response, both online and in person at our pop-ups series. We heard from more than 1,500 community members of all ages! The project team is now working on reporting back on the key themes and priorities gathered through the engagement. Check back on this page for updates in the coming weeks!

The City of New Westminster is updating its Parks and Recreation Plan! The plan will guide future priorities and investments in parks and recreation facilities, services, and programs for the next 10 years, while also describing a future vision to 2050. This plan will have an impact on all residents in New Westminster. We invite you to help shape it!

To create the renewed Parks and Recreation Plan for New West, we want to know:

• How you use parks and recreation spaces (think: pools, community centres, playgrounds, big and small parks, dog off-leash areas, etc.)
• How satisfied you are with parks and recreation spaces and available programs—for example, what’s working well, and what needs improvement
• Any barriers you experience in accessing recreation and parks offerings
• Your ideas for the future of parks and recreation in New Westminster

Parks and recreation spaces and services make communities healthier and stronger, helping everyone stay active and connected to their community. New Westminster’s population is growing, but the City has limited land to expand the parks and recreation network. The City recognizes that innovative approaches are needed to grow parks and recreation offerings to meet the diverse needs of the community. The updated plan will help address this growth by identifying ways to improve parks, recreation facilities, programs, and services — now and in the future.

Residents from tots to teenagers, young adults to seniors, and people of all backgrounds and abilities: New Westminster wants to hear from you! Your input will shape the direction of parks and recreation services for the next 10 years and beyond.

Share your views!

Round 1 of engagement to help shape the City's Parks and Recreation Plan took place from late April through early June 2024, and included a series of pop-up events, workshops, an online survey, and more. Click here for more information about the public events that were held.

Stay tuned for a second round of engagement later in 2024, where you will be invited to give input on draft recommendations for the updated Parks and Recreation Plan.

Background

The previous overarching plan for parks and recreation across New West was adopted in 2008. Called the Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan, it has successfully shaped the delivery of parks and recreation services over the last 15+ years. Click here for an overview of the plan and implementation to date. The plan is now in need of an update to help the City improve recreation facilities, programs, and services across New Westminster over the next 10 years, while also describing a future vision for parks and recreation to 2050.

Guiding principles

Our parks and recreation amenities, facilities, programs, and services aim to be accessible, inclusive, safe, and welcoming to all. The following principles will guide the updated Parks and Recreation Plan to meet a wide range of community needs. We encourage you to think about what these mean to you when sharing your input:

• Diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism: How can parks and recreation be more welcoming to people of diverse backgrounds and experiences? (e.g. income, gender, culture, race, age, ability, body type, etc.)
• Truth towards reconciliation: How can New Westminster better integrate local First Nations values, culture, stories, and art in parks and recreation? How can parks and recreation better uphold the rights of Indigenous Peoples?
• Community belonging, connecting, and wellbeing: How can parks and recreation create opportunities for people to connect, build relationships, and participate in their community? What types of spaces and programs do people enjoy most?
• Climate resilience: In what ways does climate change impact our daily lives in New West? How can parks and recreation address climate change and help us reduce our carbon footprints?
• Local economy: What role do parks and recreation play in supporting a vibrant economy and local businesses? How can parks and recreation draw more residents and visitors to New West?
• Service adequacy and standards: How can parks and recreation respond to community needs as New West grows? Are parks and recreation currently meeting the needs and expectations of the community?