Hello, thank you for the great question.

One of the core values of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan (PRMP) is that “all people can participate in recreation.” We are aware of systemic inequity in the community and there is an increased desire to create equity of opportunity, safety and inclusion for all in the community. The PRMP highlights three areas of focus to make Guelph’s park system more equitable:

1. Equity of park distribution

Historically success in parkland planning throughout Ontario (including Guelph) focused on measuring how much parkland per population the municipality had. While this is still an important metric, through the 2022 Park Plan and the PRMP, we are aiming to shift focus more toward measuring success by equitable access to parkland. Our goal is for residents to be able to access a park within reasonable walking distance from their homes. This is measured by a 5-to-10 minute walk, or 500-800 metres. In addition to the amount of parkland we have in Guelph, we are looking to move toward a well-connected park system that focuses more on equity of park access and distribution.

2. Park infrastructure equity

We recognize that the current state of park facilities across the City is not entirely equitable. New growth areas receive funding and attention through the development process and benefit from Development Charges as a funding source. Renewal of existing parks is not eligible for funding by Development Charges so there is a fine balance to be struck between investing in existing infrastructure without putting too much pressure on the tax base. We are making recommendations in the PRMP to invest in existing infrastructure to ensure that all areas of the City have similar park infrastructure and quality. This includes a focus on ensuring that all existing parks have accessible pathways to amenities.

3. Information equity

Throughout all the City’s services, there is a push to ensure all of the corporation’s public information is available to people of all abilities. For parks, people require information to help them assess if a park’s amenities and characteristics match their abilities or desired experience. There is an opportunity to better provide people with the right information, at the right time, using the right media. Through the PRMP we are recommending improvements to communication about parks to help residents use the open space network. This information should be available at parks themselves, as well as on a platform that is accessible before people commit to visiting parks. 

Finally, through the PRMP we are making a recommendation to develop a Recreation-focused Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility Strategy to improve practices and processes, ensure trusting relationships are built with vulnerable communities, and sustained efforts are made to eliminate exclusion in recreation environments and systems.

Lighting of courts and sports fields will be considered in the Sports Field Strategy. Lighting is a great way to extend availability of facilities but it is not appropriate for all locations. Thank you for your suggestion!

Hello, the City's canopy cover is addressed in the One Canopy Strategy found here: 

https://guelph.ca/living/environment/trees/one-canopy-strategy/

Hello, the City's canopy cover is addressed in the One Canopy Strategy found here: 

https://guelph.ca/living/environment/trees/one-canopy-strategy/

Trails are not a topic covered in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Please see the Guelph Trail Master Plan on the City's website for trail planning.

Yes! 

Check out recommendation #8 in the plan: "Explore partnership opportunities with school boards, the GRCA, and other public agencies to allow and/or continue to allow community use of recreational facilities owned by other organizations."

And recommendation #81: "Continue to provide recreation programming in schools and other community spaces to increase the reach and geographic distribution of City recreation services."

Hello, thanks for your question. Check out recommendation #28 of the master plan: "Investigate the implementation of a multi-use outdoor sport facility with boards to accommodate ice hockey, ball hockey and lacrosse."

Hello, thanks for your feedback on skateboard parks! Check out recommendations 29 and 30 of the master plan - we are recommending that the City add 5 new skateboard facilities - one major facility, and four skateboard nodes!

Yes! Check out recommendation #25 in the master plan: "Renovate Drew Park basketball court." We will likely pair this project up with other upgrades to the park at the same time.