There is a plan for the future of recreation in Collingwood and the public will get a chance to see that plan at a presentation tomorrow.
On Wednesday, Aug. 22 at 6 p.m. at the Collingwood Public Library, the town will be presenting the draft version of the Parks, Recreation and Culture (PRC) Master Plan.
“We’re excited that there’s a roadmap implied by this master plan that we haven’t had,” said Dean Collver, director of parks, recreation and culture. “We’ve been doing the best we can to keep up with the needs of the community, but it’s been reactionary. The master plan allows us to be more proactive and directed.”
The master plan has been in the works for about a year and includes input from about 600 people who completed an online survey, plus others who have added their comments and thoughts via pop up meetings at farmers’ markets or other parks, recreation and culture events and at two public sessions leading up to tomorrow night’s presentation.
The plan includes a vision for the town’s parks, trails, harbour, urban forestry, recreation facilities, arts and culture and open spaces. The plan development process has been led by both the town’s parks, recreation and culture department and consultants from MHBC. The budget for the plan was approved at $150,000.
On Wednesday night, the consultants will make a presentation on the information collected and some of the high-level recommendations contained in the draft report - there are more than 140 recommendations so they won’t all be mentioned. Following the presentation there will be an opportunity for the public to make comments or ask questions. The more-than 100 page report will be posted to the town of Collingwood website on Thursday and there will be a two-week period final review for submitting feedback to the town via email.
The PRC master plan was identified as an action item in the 2015 Community Based Strategic Plan. The last master plan for the PRC department was created in 2008 when the department was known as leisure services. The current master plan includes an assessment of the existing and future park needs.
Tomorrow’s presentation takes place on the third floor of the Collingwood library.
