Richmond Hill plans exciting future for parks, recreation and culture

Plans will be developed to support an active and healthy, environmentally sustainable, culturally vibrant city

yorkregion.com
Yoyo Yan
March 15, 2022

Richmond Hill council has endorsed the key directions driving a future update to the city's Parks Plan and the development of a combined Recreation and Culture Plan to guide the future of related amenities and services to 2031.

As part of council's commitment to balancing growth and green, the two plans will take into consideration the anticipated growth and needs of the community and aid in addressing the city's continued commitment to mitigating the effects of climate change. The plans will also account for costs of programs and facilities from inception to construction and maintenance to ensure financial sustainability.

"These two plans will set the stage over the next ten years, bringing more opportunities to enjoy an active lifestyle, a vibrant cultural scene and greater social connection," Mayor David West said in a statement.

Key findings and themes for consideration were identified based on research and input from residents and other stakeholders last year, including:

• Planning for a multi-purpose North Leslie Community Centre (target 2031)
• Planning for a series of linear parks, urban squares and streetscape enhancements to link residents living in the city's growing intensification areas to existing larger parks in the neighbourhoods
• Responding to community demands and trends for amenities such as indoor soccer, pickleball courts, outdoor skating rink options and off-leash dog areas
• Designing and/or revitalizing destination and community parks to facilitate year-round and extended day/evening use
• Repurposing the undersized Bayview Hill fitness centre to address other in-demand needs such as dedicated youth space or adult 55+ space
• Using the Cultural Leadership Council as an expert roundtable of cultural growth in the city
• Reviewing the Community and Cultural Grant Program and identifying opportunities to improve/reintroduce the program in 2022
• Increasing the number of regularly held special events to revive the community and neighbourhood spirit
• Undertaking a feasibility study to create an arts and cultural district to facilitate the attraction of creative individuals and organizations in a central location

Draft plans are expected to be brought to council in spring 2022 for further endorsement and public input. For more information, visit RichmondHill.ca/ParksPlan.

PUBLIC COMMENTS WELCOME

Residents are invited to read the full Key Findings and Directions Report to learn more about how the city is planning to deliver enhanced recreational opportunities to meet the future needs of our growing community.

Comments on the report can continue to be submitted to planning@richmondhill.ca through the end of March.