After a very extensive engagement process that included 275 telephone interviews of full-time residents and recreational property owners, six open houses, input from three sounding boards, interviews with stakeholder groups, five meetings with First Nations and numerous sessions with the Area C Parks Advisory Committee, the new Area C Parks Plan is now completed.
Plan development included an inventory of existing parks, trails and recreational facilities, identification of key issues, opportunities and constraints, identification of community values, interests and trends, expression of a shared vision and guiding principles, recommendations to guide improvements and an implementation plan outlining priorities and funding strategies for the next 10 years.
The guiding principles for the new parks plans are to:
• Provide parks, recreation and trail opportunities that are accessible and affordable to people of all ages and abilities;
• Develop parks and recreation facilities that enhance individual health, family and community well-being;
• Develop and operate parks and facilities that encourage volunteerism, partnerships and inter-agency cooperation;
• Foster opportunities that celebrate the history and culture of the area and its people;
• Create opportunities to promote physical activity, exposure to nature and social interactions;
• Develop and promote connections between parks and recreation amenities through walkways, trails and greenways;
• Respect, protect and celebrate the environment;
• Encourage opportunities for environmental stewardship, protection and education
• Utilize parks to attract visitors, encourage tourism, and stimulate the economy;
• Foster opportunities for community participation in cultural, music and art events;
• Ensure meaningful community consultation with the public, stakeholders and First Nations.
The new parks plan makes a number of area-specific recommendations for new parks and improvements over the next 10 years. Implementation of these will be guided by budgets and priorities over that time period. In addition to specific projects identified for each community, a number of general park recommendations were made and these are to:
• Increase the number of park benches, walking paths and shade trees;
• Install outdoor exercise-fitness equipment in parks and adjacent to community centres;
• Work with provincial agencies and local clubs to conduct an environmental scoping of species and habitats at risk to determine if further conservation actions are warranted;
• Consider implementing a Canada Goose control program;
• Add First Nations names and text to signage in parks;
• Continue to work with Shuswap Tourism on the kiosk program;
• Implement a seasonal interpretive program on the history and environment in Area C.
The general recommendations for trails are to:
• Undertake an active transportation plan;
• Undertake a feasibility study for a major destination trail;
• Continue work on a detailed planning process for a blueways initiative and park infrastructure with the Shuswap Trail Alliance;
• Work with the Switzmalph Cultural Society to develop interpretive signage;
• Install trail etiquette signage to promote multiuse of trails.
Unfortunately, all of the exciting details in the new Area C Parks Plan cannot be covered here in adequate detail. I would encourage everyone to access the parks plan at www.csrd.bc.ca to learn about the recommendations for new projects in your area.
I would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to the members of the Area C Parks Advisory Committee for their dedication and involvement throughout this process. This committee includes Shirley Bates, David Barton, Nicole Jeans-Williams, Elise Menard Jonker, Carmen Massey, Jack McInally and Heather O’Brien.
-Paul Demenok is the Area C Director for the Columbia Shuswap Regional District.