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People, Parks, and Play: Connections for All

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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?

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?

Ask a question

Have a question about People, Parks, and Play (New Westminster Parks and Recreation Plan)? Please add it here and press submit. We will aim to reply within 5 business days. Sometimes answers require information from multiple sources and it could take us longer to reply. If we think your question may be of interest to others, we'll post your question and our response here. Thank you for taking the time to write to us!

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  • Share There was a similar comprehensive study a long time ago, maybe in 2007-2008. City got a lot feedbacks and recommendations? Can we know what has been changed since then, particularly changes because of that study? If not much, how we can ensure the accountability of city doing this one? will there be clear deliverables(with timeline) in the final report? on Facebook Share There was a similar comprehensive study a long time ago, maybe in 2007-2008. City got a lot feedbacks and recommendations? Can we know what has been changed since then, particularly changes because of that study? If not much, how we can ensure the accountability of city doing this one? will there be clear deliverables(with timeline) in the final report? on Twitter Share There was a similar comprehensive study a long time ago, maybe in 2007-2008. City got a lot feedbacks and recommendations? Can we know what has been changed since then, particularly changes because of that study? If not much, how we can ensure the accountability of city doing this one? will there be clear deliverables(with timeline) in the final report? on Linkedin Email There was a similar comprehensive study a long time ago, maybe in 2007-2008. City got a lot feedbacks and recommendations? Can we know what has been changed since then, particularly changes because of that study? If not much, how we can ensure the accountability of city doing this one? will there be clear deliverables(with timeline) in the final report? link

    There was a similar comprehensive study a long time ago, maybe in 2007-2008. City got a lot feedbacks and recommendations? Can we know what has been changed since then, particularly changes because of that study? If not much, how we can ensure the accountability of city doing this one? will there be clear deliverables(with timeline) in the final report?

    pzckwoop asked 7 months ago

    Hello, thanks for the question. Yes, the City received significant input from the community and interest groups towards the recommendations in the 2008 Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan.  When adopting the Plan, City Council passed the following motion (January 2009): “That the 2008 Parks & Recreation Comprehensive Plan be adopted in principle; and that the Comprehensive Plan’s recommendations be incorporated into the Parks & Recreation Department annual work plans for Council’s future consideration.”  Accordingly, the advancement of the Plan’s recommendations over the years have been subject to City Council’s annual budget considerations.

    The City reports out on its accomplishments on an annual basis through its annual report, which includes completed recommendations from the 2008 Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan.  A selection of notable recommendations that have been completed since the adoption of the 2008 plan include:

    • Establishment of a permanent Volunteer Coordinator position
    • Expansion of Century House featuring co-location for the New West Youth Centre with shared youth/seniors spaces
    • Update to Access and Inclusion and Financial Assistance Programs
    • Construction of a civic facility (Anvil Centre) in the downtown
    • Expansion of Queenborough Community Centre (inclusive of dedicated childcare spaces)
    • Planning for the retrofit or replacement of the Canada Games Pool and Centennial Community Centre (newly constructed təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre to open April-May 2024)
    • Arena needs assessment study completed
    • Lands acquired and construction of Westminster Pier Park and Saint Mary’s Park
    • Parkland acquisition and development in Queensborough, Brow of the Hill, and Downtown neigbourhoods.  Secured leases for land for park use in Connaught Heights.
    • Construction of artificial turf field in Queen’s Park. Renewal/improvements to grass sports fields at multiple sites.
    • Renewal/replacement of playgrounds and spray parks in parks across the City.


    Additional priorities not originally contemplated in the 2008 Plan have also been completed such as re-construction of the running track at Mercer Stadium; relocation and new construction of the skate park; replacement of the Queen’s Park Arenex (gymnasium); completion of long-range plans for Queen’s and Hume Parks; completion and implementation of strategies for dogs in parks (People, Parks and Pups Strategy), and the management of the City’s Urban Forest.

    It is important to keep in mind that the recommendations arising from long-range parks and recreation plans include the:

    • relative urgency and priority of the recommendations;
    • an estimate of the capital and operating cost impact of the recommendation; and 
    • identification of the potential source of funding.  


    It is intended that the updated Parks and Recreation Plan will include a 10-year implementation plan with these same considerations.  Part of staff’s work will also be to prioritize the alignment of the recommendations against the City’s capacity to fund the work.

Page last updated: 26 Sep 2024, 08:23 PM