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.

The following pop-ups were held during Round 1 engagement, from late April to early June 2024:

• River Market Boardwalk (near the Tugger play area) - Saturday, April 27, from 1:00-4:00 pm
• təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre - Monday, April 29, from 3:00-7:00 pm
• Moody Park- Saturday, May 4, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
  • Join us for the Fun & Games Fest at Moody Park! We’re hosting an all-ages, family-friendly pop-up, complete with ping pong, mini sports, a photo booth, bubbles, snacks, and more. Come for the fun, stay to share your thoughts on parks and recreation!
• Ryall Park & Queensborough Community Centre - Thursday, May 9, from 2:00-5:00 pm
• Sapperton Plaza - Saturday, May 11, from 12:00-3:00 pm
• Simcoe Park - Wednesday, May 15, from 2:00-5:00 pm
• Century House - Wednesday, June 5, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
• Farmers Market (Tipperary Park) - Thursday, June 6, from 3:00-7:00 pm
• New to New West Intercultural Festival and Information Fair (820 Sixth St, Welcome Centre) - Saturday, June 8, from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm

In addition to the pop-ups, a virtual community workshop was held on Wednesday, May 22.

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?