Park Prioritization Framework

CoQuitlam
Committee
December 8, 2015
Our File: 12-5810-01/000/2015-1
Doc#:
2107432.V2
To:
From:
City Manager
General Manager Parks Recreation & Culture Services
Subject:
Park System Planning and Park Prioritization Framework
For:
Council-in-Committee
'
Recommendation:
That Committee receive the report of the General Manager Parks, Recreation &
Culture Services dated December 8, 2015 and entitled "Park System Planning
and Park Prioritization Framework" for information.
Purpose:
The purpose of this report is to seek Committee feedback regarding the park
and trail development evaluation and prioritization framework that has been
developed by staff to manage the City's sizeable 30-year parkland and trail
acquisition and development program.
Strategic Goal:
The information in this report supports the City's corporate Strategic Goals "To
enhance sustainability of City infrastructure" and "Achieve excellence in
governance". This report is intended to present for Committee's consideration
a framework developed by staff for planning, prioritizing and budgeting of the
City's park program and illustrate the connection between the Parks, Recreation
& Culture Services ("PRC") Final Draft Master Plan, the City-Wide Official
Community Plan, the Five Year Financial Plan, the annual budget, and the
corporate Business Plan. The initiative also informs the Implementation
Strategy of the Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan that is currently
underdevelopment.
Executive Summary:
Parks and open spaces are key components of a community's health and are
necessary services provided by a local government. The public often has
questions about the amount, distribution and types of parks that are proposed
in a community, how these are funded and prioritized, as well as the steps that
are followed to acquire, develop and properly maintain the park system. These
are logical questions because an appropriate level of parkland in a community is
critical to ensure a high quality of life for its residents. As the park system is a
fundamental element of City development, the City strives to ensure that the
public is properly served with park amenities and services, and that the costs of
City of Coquitlam
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funding the park system, including the acquisition, development and long term
operations of parks, are adequately provided for.
As a result of continuing population growth, accompanied by evolving
community expectations regarding the level of park services and amenities,
staff have recently created a strategic evaluation and prioritization framework
to guide the annual planningand funding of parkland development in order to
meet future (30 years and beyond) demands. Due to the financial constraints
associated with parkland acquisition and development, staff felt it necessary to
develop a process for Council consideration that evaluates and prioritizes the
numerous park projects that are included in the long-term parkland
development program, which is primarily funded by Development Cost Charges
(DCC's). The City anticipates investing approximately $350 million over the next
30 years into the park program.
The proposed framework will assist staff to rationalize which park projects to
include for Council consideration in the short term (i.e. the annual Business Plan
and Financial Plan), and to enable Council the opportunity to understand the
broader park development program over the longer term (5- year Capital Plan
and beyond). This includes the preparation of detailed resource management
plans utilized by staff to determine the long-term maintenance and operational
costs associated with new park development and the impact on the City's future
operation budgets.
Staff intends to work with Council to evaluate and update the park prioritization
matrix annually to ensure funding is being targeted to optimal community
needs. This process will form the basis for PRC's requests to Council during the
budget and Business Plan priority setting processes, as well as future long-term
capital and operational budgets for new parks.
Background:
PRC staff is developing a Master Plan that will identify new amenities over the
next 20years based on the City's growth, public demand and municipal best
practices. The Master Plan is expected to be completed in 2016 and will include
an Implementation Strategy that addresses, amongst other things, the timing
and funding of new parks, facilities and other recreation, sport and cultural
amenities. As Council is continually faced with ever increasing public
expectation for new civic amenities, including parks, and as these projects
compete for limited funding, it is important that prioritization of capital projects
is managed in an objective, fair and publicly transparent manner.
The park system is comprised of different levels of parks which vary in size and
amenities. The PRC Final Draft Master Plan outlines these levels of park which
are defined as Neighbourhood, Neighborhood Enhanced, Community, and Citywide or Destination level parks. All levels of parkland is planned and formalized
N
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within the neighbourhood plans that form part of the City's Official Community
Plan.
Park and trail development is primarily funded by DCC's, with those amenities
that are ineligible under the DCC program, such as field houses, sport courts and
lighting, being funded by an annual allocation of general revenues. As currently
anticipated, the City expects to invest in the range of $350 million into park
acquisition and development in the next 30 years and beyond. The current level
of funding for park and trail development is approximately $3 million annually,
which delivers generally two to three parks per year, depending on the nature .
and scope of the individual park project. In addition, approximately $3 million
per year is allocated for parkland acquisition. Both these amounts will vary
depending on the rate of development and the cash flows received from DCC's.
As a result, a clear determination of park priority is needed to ensure annual
funding and resources are optimally employed at the right location and time.
Staff have developed a list of evaluation criteria summarized in this report to
guide the determination of future annual park development priorities. Staff has
also taken the opportunity to evaluate the major trail network to highlight these
asset priorities as well, although quantifying timing and cost is more difficult
with trails, as noted below.
Discussion:
Municipal Provision of Parks and Open Space
The provision of park space is a vital component of City planning in order to
serve current and future park needs of a growing community. The planning,
acquisition, funding, development and operation are all governed through a
variety of regulations and policies enacted at various levels of government
including federal and provincial regulations on environmental protection, the
Local Government Act and Community Charter, the City-Wide Official
Community Plan, Zoning Bylaw, DCC Bylaw and the PRC Final Draft Master Plan.
In addition, provincial statutes enable park to be acquired, dedicated and
financed as part of development and subdivision.
The public often has questions about the amount and distribution of the City's
parks, and the process for determining what new parks may be needed, and how
and when parks are designed, funded, built and operated. Attachment 1
provides a summary of the key questions generally asked by the public as well as
the City instruments that have been developed and are being implemented to
effectively answer these questions. Over the past year. City staff have initiated a
complete review of the City's practices with regards to park planning in order to
formalize a framework to more effectively understand and deliver appropriate
park levels to Coquitlam residents and to ensure these are properly prioritized,
funded and timed to meet public needs.
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As illustrated in Attachment l, a determination of the City's larger park system
begins with the PRC Master Plan. The Final Draft PRC Master Plan provides
general guidelines and targets for the park system with four levels of park types:
Neighbourhood, Neighbourhood Enhanced, Community, and Citywide/destination (Attachment 2). These guidelines are flexible and provide a
framework for planning and optimizing resources to maximize the value of
public investment and opportunity. Planning for park provision in growing
communities that are densifying, such as Coquitlam, also relies on
demographics, population distribution and a sound review and analysis of the
distribution of existing amenities, gaps in services, best practices and trends in
park design, as well as sound financial and business planning processes, which
include a method of prioritization.
Additionally, in existing yet growing neighbourhoods, the focus for park
expansion is first to build on the existing park system to optimize existing assets
and infrastructure, whereas the focus in greenfield areas is on the acquisition of
new park sites. In both cases, however, the system needs to be 'right sized' to
achieve a suitable level of park amenities to support the projected range of
population growth which is based on a methodology and philosophy of open
space provision that ensures the level of park is appropriate to serve long-term
population growth. Once the 'right size' of park system is determined, the
funding implications of that total future need are evaluated based on evolving
park programming needs, and the park system may be adjusted to balance
amenity provision and impact on DCC's and other City funding sources.
Once the park prioritization framework is endorsed by City Council through the
approval of the PRC Master Plan, the park system is formalized by designating
park sites in a community plan and included in the DCC Bylaw for funding.
These are then prioritized for both land acquisition and development according
to the prioritization framework outlined below. Subsequently the City
strategically acquires land using the DCC and 5% Parkland revenues as well as
works with developers to obtain development contributions in the form of park
sites, park development, public spaces in private developments, and cash
contributions for new parks and public amenities. Partnering with developers
for park improvements is a key way that the City can increase the capacity for
building our park system.
The park planning process concludes with development of the annual operating
budget and Business Plan. At this time. Council approves individual parks for
development which follows a public consultation and detailed design of the
park programming and amenities. This also includes finalization of the capital
costs of constructing the park as well as the impact on future operational and
maintenance budgets tied to the capital project. The operating costs are based
on detailed resource management plans which outline the expected long-term
costs to maintain the park.
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Park Prioritization Framework
The 47 parks listed in Attachment 3 and illustrated in Attachment 4 are based
on approved OCR and neighbourhood plans except for those proposed as part of
the future Burquitlam/Lougheed Neighbourhood Plan, which is currently being
developed. An allowancefor new and expanded parks in this neighbourhood
plan have been incorporated and they are also included in the proposed 2015
DCC Park Acquisition and Development program which is currently in process
for update.
The list of future parks is sorted into two categories: l) those currently
budgeted and included in the 5-Year Capital Plan; and 2) those that fall after the
5-year capital plan time horizon. The parks in the second category are sorted by
neighbourhood and then alphabetically by park name. However, there is one
project, Riley Park, that Council has recently asked to be elevated in the priority
matrix was not previously included within the 5-Year Capital Plan. In order for
this project to be moved into the next 5-Year Capital Plan, funding will need to
either be transferred from other projects or staff can work with the developer to
negotiate a funding agreement that provides cash flow in the short-term, to
accelerate park development, with repayment over a longer-term when DCC's
are realized. More information will be presented to Council on this in early 2016.
Seven evaluation criteria have been developed to assess and prioritize the park
development program. These criteria are meant as a guide to enable Council to
sort and evaluate each park project based on a consistent set of values; however
the ultimate park development priorities may be adjusted as the park projects
are also subject to emerging opportunities such as partnerships, funding from
external grants, gifts or sponsorships, or alignment with other City capital
projects, as noted in the Riley Park example above. The following criteria are
provided for Council consideration:
1. Demand and Demonstrated Need
This assesses how well the area proposed for parkland improvement is currently
served and whether the proposed improvement will fill any identified service
gaps in recreation, sports, arts and culture. In addition, it assesses the ability to
improve existing services for future growth; the ability to address social,
environmental, and economic objectives; the potential to develop or revitalize
physical elements and programming to address safety or maintenance concerns,
and the ability to reduce City liability or risk exposure.
2. Equity - Geographic Distribution
This assesses whether the park will help provide better access and distribution
of park and park facilities throughout the City and whether it helps bridge
service gaps of City and school facilities.
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3. Lack of Development and Environmental Encumbrances
This assesses re-zoning or subdivision requirements; physical access and
servicing requirements or challenges; protection requirements for riparian and
environmental areas; and physical considerations such as topography,
hydrology, or species at risk and environmental hazards.
4- Implementation Readiness
This assesses the ease of implementation based on land acquisition, zoning and
subdivision processes; legal considerations; environmental constraints and
processes; availability of special or alternative funding; desire to be timed with
other projects; budget planning, and phasing potential and affordability.
5- Partnership Potential and Opportunities
This assesses the opportunity for timely internal or external partnership or
collaboration, or whether existing partnership agreements are in place. It
considers whether the park project will enable an emerging partnership
opportunity or provide a significant public contribution or third party funding.
6. Recreational/Cultural Tourism Potential
This assesses the ability to improve event hosting capability including City-wide
and regional events as well as facility rental and allocation potential.
7. Special Interest or Value
This assesses any unique elements such as heritage value, unique site qualities
and characteristics that have interpretative or educational value; community
interest and support; Council identified priority, regional importance, such as
significant regional asset linkage or destination; and any notable natural
qualities, assets, resources.
Criteria #1 and #2 (Demand and Demonstrated Need); (Equity - Geographic
Distribution) are more heavily weighted to determine park priority, whereas
other ancillary factors are weighted lower importance. The results of this
assessment are found in Attachment 3.
Trails & Linear Park Prioritization Criteria
While some prioritization of trail development is necessary, trail development
tends to be more flexible, due to greater opportunities to partner with adjacent
land developers or be developed in conjunction with other City capital projects.
As such, the timing of trail development will often be determined as these
opportunities present themselves. Moreover, land acquisition is required to fully
complete most trail networks and the timing of this acquisition is challenging to
predict.
,
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The approved 2013 Master Trail Plan provided the following evaluation criteria
for implementation of new trail sections and upgrades to existing trail sections.
1. Trail Link Hierarchy/ Network Value
Trail sections that provide critical linkages and completion of a larger trail
system, including those with regional significance. They connect residential
neighbourhoods with recreational amenities and provide access to
transportation hubs and commercial nodes.
2. Amenity Value
'
Trail sections that provide connection and access to valuable resources,
amenities, views, cultural, historic, natural information and points of interest.
3. Recreational Loops
Trail sections that contribute or complete local neighbourhood loops/routes
within the major network or routes that provide recreational opportunities and
programming.
4. Equitable Geographic Distribution
This criterion involves assessing geographical equity for increased trail
amenities to ensure opportunities are available for all residents.
5. Implementation Readiness
This criterion reflects the feasibility and timing of work, which may be
dependent on private land development, property acquisition, or funding.
Project complexity as well as ease and opportunity to partner or piggy-back on
related projects are also key considerations under this criterion.
6. Demand
Trail sections to fulfill current and potential movement patterns.
7. Safety Benefits
This criterion involves a review of trail sections, or major upgrade of existing
trail sections, that provide safety benefits and implications with trail
development and improvements.
8. Accessibility and Barrier Free
New or upgrade of trail sections to provide universal accessibility.
9. Interpretation and Education Value
Trail sections with special interpretative or education interest.
tf
The results of the trail evaluation and prioritization process are found in
Attachments.
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Parks and Trails Prioritization - Next Steps
Each park and trail in the park system and DCC program has been evaluated by
staff against each of the above-noted criteria and the results of this assessment
are included in Attachments 3 and 5 for Council review and feedback, noting the
following key points:
•
The proposed frameworks for the development of both parks and trails
provide a base evaluation, and are not intended to encompass all factors
that may bear on a priority since unique elements or factors may arise at any
time that affect a specific priority.
•
The ultimatetimingof development of park and trail projects will depend on
the level of funding available and final cost of construction. The PRC staff
will work with Finance staff to ensure timing of park projects is consistent
with cash flows (DCC and non-DCC) and funding availability.
•
This prioritization list is intended to reflect Council's priorities and will be
evaluated and reconsidered on an annual basis by Council as part of the City
budget and Business Plan priority setting process to ensure planning and
funding priorities for parks and trails are reflective of current needs.
•
Trail development has not been presented with timeframes as the majority
of the trails require additional land acquisition, and is a more fluid process.
Trails are also often completed in partnership with development and are
often opportunity-based.
Financial Impacts:
The City strives to deliver parks in a financially sustainable way and adjustments
to the park system may be needed if challenges in park acquisition or funding
arise. There are a number of options in this regard, including partnerships with
developers and others, adjusting park sizes to optimal levels, or limiting the type
and range of amenities planned in a park. Overall funding for parks is approved
by Council as part of the 5-Year Capital Plan and for each individual park project
when the design is finalized and a budget has been determined based on
current construction costs. Atthat time, staff will also be highlighting the longterm maintenance impacts on the City's budgets to ensure that the collective
increase in operating costs related to new park development is considered and
understood as part of the park project approval process.
This report has no direct or immediate financial implications but staff intend to
utilize this prioritization framework as a basis to develop recommendations to
Council on annual park development and acquisition. This framework will also
enable staff and Council to determine and confirm annual work and funding
priorities for park and trail development based on the assessments. Based on
the revised DCC Program and Bylaw (not yet adopted) and the current level of
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general revenues being allocated to parkland acquisition and development, the
new park program will be fully funded. This is based on an assumption of the
current service levels, funding availability, and park acquisition and
development costs. Should these factors change in the future, the City will need
to be flexible and accept that such factors may extend the time required to
complete parks and trails in the total program.
Conclusion:
The public often has questions about how park needs are determined and when
parks are built. The Final Draft PRC Master Plan provides a blueprint and
guidelines to ensure an optimal level of parkland and open space is acquired
and developed to serve Coquitlam in the long-term. Based on the Master Plan, a
parkland acquisition and development program has been confirmed and is
incorporated into the OCP and neighbourhood planning process and DCC Bylaw.
The parkland acquisition and development program for the next 30 years and
beyond includes close to 140 acres of new and redeveloped parkland at a cost of
close to $350 million, of which $335 million is funded from Development Cost
Charges.
In order to effectively implement and manage this program in a clear, objective
and publicly transparent way, staff has developed evaluation processes and
frameworks for prioritizing new park and trail projects over the long-term and a
practical mechanism to build annual capital and business plans. An updated list
of criteria, including weighting factors for park development, has been
developed and will be evaluated and reconsidered on an annual basis to ensure
planning and funding priorities for parks and trails reflect current needs.
Raul Allueva, RPP
This report was prepared by Michelle Hunt, Director Planning and Business
Services and reviewed by Sheena Macleod, Manager, Financial Services
Attachment 1:
Attachment 2;
Attachment 3:
Attachment 4:
Attachment 5:
Planning the Park System
Final Draft PRC Master Plan Pages 32-41 "Park System"
Park Development Project Evaluation and Prioritization
Matrix
Park Development Project Map
Trails & Linear Park Development Evaluation and
Prioritization Matrix
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Planning Coquitlam's Park System
c
o
E
1
The City Instruments Used to Answer Residents' Questions
Parks,
Recreation
& Culture
Master Plan
What is the
optimal level of
parks and open
space and what
guidelines do we
follow to achieve
this level?
2
Official
Community
Plan
How do we plan
the location of
our parks and
open spaces to
serve our growing
community?
Updated every 5 years
Funding
Strategy
(DCC Program)
3
What funding is
appropriate to
ensure effective,
long-term delivery
of our park
system?
4
Park
Prioritization
Framework
How do we
ensure that we
build the right
park at the right
time and
coordinate with
City growth and
development?
5
5-Year
Capital Plan
What parks will
the City build in
the next 5 years?
6
Annual
Capital /
Business
Plan
What parks will
be built next
year?
7
Annual
Operating
Budget
How much will it
cost to maintain
it?
;Attachment 2
Parks, Recreation & Culture - Our Story - Final Draft Master Plan
4.4
Park System
The City's parkland and natural green space system consists of two distinct sub-systems.
•
The Developed Park sub-system is based on a hierarchy of park levels - neighbourhood, community and
city-wide or destination parks. Each park level consists of different park types based on size and
function. These parks are primarily intended for the development of recreation amenities such as
sports fields, playgrounds, trails, aquatic amenities and sport/tennis courts. These parks may also
incorporate natural features.
•
The Natural Green Spaces sub-system is based on landscape features and ecological functionality.
These features and functions provide the "green infrastructure" in the City. The natural green space
sub-system includes: wetlands; creeks and riparian vegetation; remnant forests; hazardous slopes;
flood plains; utility corridors; and greenways. The natural space system is intended primarily to
preserve the land and water base that supports the ecological needs of humans and wildlife.
\
4.4.1 Developed Park Levels
\
Neighbourhood Level Parks
For park planning purposes, neighbourhoods are defined by the OCR which enables the use of demographic
information for planning purposes. Neighbourhood park boundaries may be naturally defined by
topography such as a ravine or defined by major streets.
Neighbourhood level parks serve the residents and persons living and working in a neighbourhood. The
various neighbourhood populations in Coquitlam vary from 2,000 to 10,000. Just as standards for
elementary schools call for the school to be located within walking distance of the homes it serves,
neighbourhood parks should be within >4 km of all residents and unobstructed by major roads. As
neighbourhood Parks generally are not meant to be accessed by car, they are not designed to have
washrooms or parking facilities. Proximity to residents and workers is a key aspect of the Neighbourhood
Park.
Neighbourhood parks are classified into four types:
a) Mini-Park Type (formerly Tot-Lot)
This is a small area primarily intended for the use of children of pre-school age. It may vary in size
from 6,000 to 12,000 square feet and often may serve as a substitute for the individual back yard in
large scale housing developments or high density areas. While sometimes provided as a separate
small park area (perhaps as a condition of development), it is generally preferable to include the
amenities found in a mini-park as part of a larger Neighbourhood Park. Desirable features may
include swings, slides, sand box, play structures, playhouses, small wading pool, and/or an open
area for free play. Examples of stand alone mini-parks currently include Cape Horn Playground,
Westwood Summit, Tanglewood and Blue Jay Tot Lots.
b) Neighbourhood Park
The purpose of the neighbourhood park is to provide an attractive outdoor setting for children,
youth and adults to play and socialize. The size range generally recommended for the
neighbourhood park is from two (2) to six (6) acres.
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\
The Neighbourhood Park ideally contains play areas for young children and youth, open space for
informal games and play activities, paved area for court games, an open grass area for active
games, picnic tables and benches for socializing and either significant mature trees and shrubs or
landscaping. Such parks are particularly appropriate in high density developments and in areas
with a large portion of children or elderly adults. In some cases the Neighbourhood Park plays a
specialized function in the Neighbourhood.
Some Neighbourhood Parks are adjacent to the local elementary school and in several cases, the
park features overlap onto the school site by agreement with SD43.This is true throughout the
Westwood Plateau (Panorama Park, Robson Park, Bramble Park) and other areas of the City (Nestor
Park, Mariner Park). Some typical examples of Neighbourhood Parks in Coquitlam include: Lower
Lougheed Park, Victoria Park, Shiloh Park, and Oakdale Park, among others.
Park Amenity Options
A-Accessible Paths
B -Social Area / PicnicTabies / Seating
C - Play Area - Children and/or Youth
D - Green Space
Neighbourhood Park
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c) Enhanced Neighbourhood Park
The Enhanced Neighbourhood Park provides amenities typically found in the Neighbourhood
Park but also includes an additional amenity such as a spray park or sport field.
Park Amenity Options
A-Accessible Paths
B - Social Area / Picnic Tables / Seating
C - Play Area - Children and/or Youth
D - Green Space
E - Additional Play Element(s) e.g. Water Play, Sport Court, Skate Park
Enhanced Neighbourhood Park
d) Elementary School Sites
Even when Elementary School sites are not adjacent to a Neighbourhood Park, the school site
provides many of the benefits of a neighbourhood park, typically including a children's playground,
open space for informal play, a paved area for court games and informal sports field or open grass
area. School sites often are not "park-like" in appearance because they must provide for large
buildings, parking areas and internal roads/drop-offs.
4.4.2 Community Level Parks
A community is a natural grouping of several neighbourhoods brought into common relationship through
such specialized facilities as the middle/secondary school, major shopping or a community centre. The
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boundaries of the community are usually defined by major changes of land use, by arterial traffic routes, or
by major physical barriers. A community generally includes three (3) to five (5) neighbourhoods.
The Community Level Park is intended to provide a broad range of park and recreation facilities that
primarily serve the surrounding neighbourhoods but are also used by residents and organized groups from
the entire City. Community parks provide for different needs than neighbourhood parks. Whereas,
neighbourhood parks generally meet individual and small group needs, community parks are aimed at
larger group needs and may contain a specialized facility that would not be appropriate in a smaller,
neighbourhood park. The amenities in a Community Park focus on active recreation but may contain
natural areas for passive or informal activities. These types of parks require larger areas and attract a large
number of users. The types of facilities a community park may contain include: sport court and/or lacrosse
box, sports field, running track, tennis courts, aquatic amenities such as spray pads, large playgrounds,
picnic shelters, washrooms, field house, parking lots, trails, forest areas, frisbee golf and other similar park
amenities.
'
r
•
•
Community level parks are classified into three types:
a) Community Park
: The traditional Community Park ranges in size from 10 acres to 30 acres. The active playfield
component of the Community Park alone requires 5-6 acres. Community Parks are often located to
take advantage of sorrie scenic or natural feature such as a ravine, woodland or ridge, so their
location in the community can be more dispersed than neighbourhood parks. However, since
Community Parks primarily provide for active recreation, they should be situated at central
locations that are visible and easily accessible by the residents of the Community. Typical
Community Parks in Coquitlam include: Glen Park and Blue Mountain Park.
b) Joint School/Community Park Site
There are definite advantages in locating a Community Park adjacent to a middle or secondary
school site since many of the facilities provided are used by.middle and senior high school students.
The concept of combining the functions of secondary school grounds and community parks is
becoming widely accepted, in the same way as the neighbourhood park/elementary school facility
at the neighbourhood level. This could involve the construction of artificial turf fields at
appropriate school sites in order to effectively accommodate the field use demands of both school
and community sport teams.
Many of the school fields in Coquitlam are included in the Community Park category, as they fulfill
a Community level service, even though they are not always adjacent to a park. The difference
between a "Community" school field and other school fields is as follows:
•
the community school field has been developed (either by the City or the School District) to a
minimum technical standard that can withstand heavy use by community sports organizations
(soccer, football, baseball etc.);
•
the field is maintained and allocated by the City for use by the school and the community.
School fields that do not meet the minimum size and quality requirements are not considered to
serve a community function because they are not allocated by the City, will not generally be used
by the sports organizations for regular play, even though casual use and limited, organized use by
the community may take place. Gradually, as the school fields are redeveloped and maintained by
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Parks, Recreation & Culture - Our Story - Final Draft Master Plan
the City they will become additions to our inventory of Community Parkland. This strategy has
been adopted by the City as a means of keeping pace with growth and the demand for parkland
without incurring the costs associated with land acquisition. This City strategy has been
incorporated into our calculation of, and provides for, future parkland acquisition needs.
School fields that are considered to assist in providing Community Park functions include;
Centennial Oval, Charles Best Secondary School, Parkland Elementary School fields and Scott Creek
Middle School fields among many others.
c) Community Trails
There are 90 km of existing trails in Coquitlam. Most of these trails link active park sites and
traverse through the open space system. Major additions resulting in doubling of the existing trail
system are detailed in the Master Trail Plan, endorsed by City Council in 2013 as a guide to
achieving future trail system network requirements over the next 20 years. Where trails occur in
what is otherwise deemed to be passive park or open space, the "corridor" the trail occupies is
deemed to be active parkland. A corridor width of 10 metres is used in order to calculate the
acreage of active community parkland that is represented by the trails within open space.
• Above all...
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36
Parks, Recreation & Culture - Our Story - Final Draft Master Plan
Park Amenity Options
A - AccesslbIe Paths
B - Social Area / Seating
C - Play Area - Chi Idren and/or
Youth
D - C reen Spa ee
. H - NaturaI Areas
E - Sport and/or Tennis Courts 1 - Washrooms
F - Baseball and/or Soccer
J - Picnic Areas / Shelter
G-Water Play
,K-Parking
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Parks, Recreation & Culture - Our Story - Final Draft Master Plan
4.4.3 City-Wide or Destination Level Parks
A city-wide or destination park is a large area containing recreation amenities that are intended to serve
residents from the entire City. An area of 100 acres or more is generally considered desirable, although
smaller properties, which possess unusual scenic interest or beauty or recreational features that may not be
found elsewhere in an urban area may also effectively serve a City-wide function. The availability of
suitable properties largely determines the location of City parks. Accessibility to large numbers of users is
also a factor which must be taken into account. There may be several City parks in any one City.
Desirable features for the City park include natural wooded areas and watercourses, landscaped areas,
hiking trails, picnic areas, bathing beaches, swimming pools, destination tournament facilities for baseball,
soccer and other field sports, tennis courts, running tracks, pitch and putt golf courses, recreation centres,
bowling greens, lacrosse boxes, ice rinks, playgrounds, playfields and scenic viewpoints. Additional
specialized features-might include an amphitheatre, outdoor stage, arboretum, display gardens, bicycle
paths, etc.
Town Centre Park and Mundy Park are the two City Parks in Coquitlam. Each provides a different mix of
natural features and recreation facilities; however, they both serve the needs of the entire city.
Other recreation facilities occur in smaller areas but also serve the needs of the entire City. Examples
include:
•
•
Boat Launch - Facilities intended primarily for boat launching activities. Maquabeak Park and Boat
Launch is Coquitlam's only such facility.
Recreation Centre Sites - Land used primarily as a building site for major recreational facilities that
may not contain a significant natural or park-like component. The Poirier Sport and Leisure
Complex and the City Centre Aquatic Facility are examples of this special City Park type.
Above <3!!...
•
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Parks, Recreation & Culture - Our Story - Final Draft Master Plan
Park Amenity Options
A - Accessible Paths
B - Social Area / Seating
C-Play Area-Children and
/or Youth
D - Green Space
E - Sport and/or Tennis Courts
F - Baseball and/or Soccer
G-Water Play
H - Natural Areas
I - Washrooms
J - Picnic Areas / Shelter
K - Parking
L-Walking/Hiking Trails
M-Skate and/or Bike Skills
Park
City / Destination Park
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Parks, Recreation & Culture - Our Story - Final Draft Master Plan
4.4.4 Natural Green Spaces
Natural Green Spaces contribute both recreational and environmental benefits to the community. Many
residents express a desire for a healthy environment characterized by: clean air and water; native fish
populations; wildlife and the supporting natural vegetation; amphibians and supporting wetlands; and
trails strategically located to access and experience the wild land. Similar "quality of life" expectations
associated with open space are also important to people who simply work in Coquitlam. The public places
great value on the opportunity to spend time recreating in a natural setting. Exposure to nature provides
individual and societal benefits and is considered a requirement for optimal human health. Outdoor
recreation that focuses on the enjoyment of nature is increasingly popular across age, economic and ethnic
demographics.
Natural green spaces include features that contribute to environmental health and are also valued for their
safety or aesthetic functions. Flood plains, hazardous slopes and utility corridors need to be protected for
safety reasons. Forested areas contribute to wildlife habitat and air quality by filtering air pollutants,
absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. Open Space assists with stream protection and energy
efficiency by maximizing rainfall infiltration and reducing impervious cover, and by shading and reducing
air temperature. Connectivity of these features and spaces provide the "green infrastructure" that is critical
to the ecological functionality that people and wildlife depend on. Open Space must be planned and
protected as a system of features and functions.
Natural green space includes land that has significant environmental, landscape or ecological features such
as riparian areas, water bodies, estuaries, critical wildlife habitat, and/or old growth and significant sized
urban forests. Open Space also includes 'recreational greenways' as defined in the Northeast Sector
Recreational Greenway Plan prepared by the GVRD in cooperation with the City of Coquitlam and other
local governments in the Northeast Sector. These corridors of land allow for the development of an
informal pedestrian connection system throughout the City. Development is generally limited to trails and
seating areas, though some interpretation and enhancement activities may also be undertaken. Riverview
Forest, the strip along the Coquitlam River (as it is acquired) and the Urban Forest component of Mundy
Park are examples of City-owned Open Space in Coquitlam.
r
- •
. •
''
Large expanses of natural areas are often acquired and managed by regional, provincial of national
agencies, governments and/or not for profit organizations (Ducks Unlimited, Conservation Trust Agencies
etc.). These lands are not included in the City's inventory of Open Space. Coquitlam has a unique
opportunity to link our municipal system of Open Space to regionally aqd provincially owned natural
parkland on the Southwest (Colony Farm), the west (Burnaby Mountain), the Northwest (Eagle Mountain)
and the Northeast (Minnekhada and Pinecone/Burke Mountam).
4.5
Park Provision Standards and Park-Oriented Development
The City of Coquitlam aims to provide a variety of park amenities to the public as described above. Our aim
is to ensure every resident has the opportunity access a park amenity within a 10 minute walking distance
from their home.
To meet projected City growth and changes in de^nsity in established areas, the future parkland acquisition
and development program which is updated bi-annually currently includes 140 new acres of parkland and .
is partially funded through the DCC Program ), based on population growth projected within the CWOCP.
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The 2012 DCC park development program is valued at $190 million over the length of its30-year life. The
current DCC program provides for the addition of:
•
•
•
•
18 neighbourhood parks;
7 community parks;
2 destination/city parks;
26 km of trails.
The Park system needs to be planned, developed and managed in a manner that is fiscally sustainable. This
is an ongoing challenge as funding is limited and development and re-development initiatives need to be
balanced in the context of multiple neighbourhoods with differing existing levels of needs. Moreover, the
protection and improvement of existing natural and constructed assets need to be balanced with the
acquisition and development of new assets.
In order to meet the growing community's demand for parks, new strategies are required to deliver these
parks. As an urban strategy. Park Oriented Development ("POD") aims to develop a municipal park system
that meets the ecological and social needs of the City by providing a framework for development that
includes and embedding park elements in mix-use residential and commercial developments across
neighborhoods connecting the City. POD emphasizes urban development and the establishment and
integration of various public spaces across the City on both public and private lands.
POD approaches the park system as more than just green places; it envisions parks as essential spaces for
social interaction, transportation, education and recreation. POD works to strengthen and complement
elements of the Transit Oriented Development Strategy (TDS) by enhancing and beautifying our public
spaces. POD aims to integrate park planning into all stages of urban planning and development within the
municipality. Putting POD principles into practice requires creative approaches such strategies such as
doing more with less, utilizing previously unused spaces and lands, sharing lands with other users/uses,
getting developers to, contribute to the development of public park spaces and street-level public recreation
amenities, finding new funding mechanisms, as well as other strategies that advance this strategy.
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Attachment 3
OCP/
Neighbourhoo
d Area
Park Type
Park Development Project Evaluation and Prioritization Framework
MV
C
Rochester Park
CC
D
Town Centre Performance & Event Plaza
B/L
NE
Brookmere Park Revitalization
LHC
NE
Leigh Park
SMC
NE
Victoria Park Redevelopment
SMC
J
Smiling Creek Joint/Park School
SMC
N
Sheffield Park
UHC
N
Princeton Park
RP
N
Keets Park
CC
N
Galette Park
CC
C
Glen Park Phase 3
B/L
C
Cottonwood Park Revitalization
B/L
C
Cottonwood Park Expansion
B/L
N
Future BLNP Park (Kemsley & Clark)
B/L
NE
Lower Lougheed Park Revitalization
SMC
N
CC
D
Town Centre Park Improvements
CC
N
Unidentified Future City Center Parks (2 acres)
o
Parkland
Acquisition
Required
0
PROPOSED PARK PROJECT
(Does not include Trails, Linear Parks or Buildings)
1c c 51
o .;
U Ci-
Q_ J
Z -a < Q
•
Ni^hirastis^a^
LHC
NE
Burke Mtn Joint Park/Secondary School
LHC
N
Mason Park
NWB
N
Unidentified Future NW Burke - Parks (2 acres)
PTG
N
Baycrest Park
PTG
N
David Avenue Park
PTG
NE
Freemont Park (Developed Area)
PTG
NP
Freemont Park (Natural Area)
PTG
N
Knoll Park
PTG
N
Mitchell Park
PTG
C
Partington Neighbourhood Centre Park
PTG
C
Partington Village Green Urban Plaza
PTG
NP
Pinecone/Burke Trailhead & Park
PTG
N
Star Creek Park
SMC
NE
Harper Park (Developed Area)
SMC
NP
Harper Park (Natural Area)
SMC
NP
Highland Natural Park Area
SMC
N
Southview Park
1 UHC 1 NE
^ 1
New Upper Hyde Creek Park (Ranch Property)
N/A
D
Gilleys Trail Park
N/A
C
Pitt River Waterfront Park
AH
N
Unidentified Future Austin Heights Parks (2 acres)
B/L
NE
Burquitlam Community Garden Park
B/L
NE
Guilby Park Redevelopment
B/L
N
Lower Lougheed Park Expansion
B/L
N
Oakdale Park Revitalization
B/L
N
Unidentified Future BNLP Parks (2 acres)
CTRL
N
MV
N
Booth Farm Park
MV
N
Unidentified Future Maillardville Parks (3 acres)
Si^KvrastiC
j
|
A/
>/
|selkirk Park Revitalization
|
': Y;--•. . . .
.
^ Council has asked staff to elevate Riley Park in the priority matrix in order to accelerate its development for completion within the next 5 years as 3.5 acres of
parkland are committed to the City. While staff are indicating its higher position in the Framework, the 5-Year Capital Plan has not yet been amended and
funding is not currently available in the 5-Year Capital Plan.
Attachment 5
Land Acquisition
REFERENCE ft
1
5W
3
Rochester Park Trail
2
SW
2
Maiiiardviiie Trail
3
NW
10
Coquitlam Crunch Trail Improvements
6
SW
19
Riverview Forest Off-Road Cycliing - Gravity Trails
4
SW
na/
Mundy Park Trail Improvements (incl. signage)
9
NW
13
Eagle Mountain Park Trail Connections
7
SW
7
8
CC
IS
Coquitlam River Recreational Trail System
10
SW
1
Eraser River Major Greenway
11
NE
18
Pitt River Recreational Trail
12
NE
17
DeBoville Slough Recreational Trail Loop
13
NE
17
Coquitlam River to DeBoville Slough Connector
14
NE
17
Burke Mountain to Minnekhada Connector
5
NW
n/a
Coquitlam River Park Trail Improvements (incl. signage)
15
NW
14
Westwood Plateau to Coquitlam River Connections .
16
SW
6
Chineside Nature Trail
17
NW
11
Durant Linear Park Trail
18
NE
19
Coquitlam River/Burke Mountain Park - Off-Road Cycling
19
SW
19
Pinnacle Crk & Off Road Cycling - Gravity Park
.20
NW
19
Eagle Mountain Off-Road Cycling Adventure Park/Trail
V
21
NW
19
Bramble Park Off-Road Cycliing Gravity Trail
V
22
NW
19
Bramble Park Off-Road Cycling Adventure Park
•/
23
NE
19 ,
Harper Park - Off-Road Cycling Adventure Park
24
SW
4
Laurentian Park Trail
25
SW
9
Coquitlam Greenlinks Trail (Pinnacle Creek Ravine)
26
NE
16
Lower Hyde Creek BC Hydo ROW Greenway
27
NE
16
Partington Creek Pollard Connection
28
NE ,
16
Partington Creek Freemont Connection
29
NE
16
Upper Hyde Creek Neighbourhood to Coquitlam River Connectors
30
NE
16
Upper and Lower Hyde Creek Neighbourhood Trails
31
SW
8
32
NW
n/a
33
SW
S
34
CC
12
PROJECT
Required
#
OCP Area
MASSTER TRAIL PLAN
Trails and Linear Parks Development Evaluation Matrix
V 'i
Riverview Community Trail
V
V
V
Scott Creek Trail
V
Northwest Burke Neighbourhood Connections
V
Burquitlam/Lougheed Connections & Improvements
V
City Centre Trail Connections & Improvements
V