Introduction: Why Is This Important?

The Ontario Recreation & Community Services Department proudly manages the city’s parks and recreation programs and facilities. Their dedication to providing high-quality and well-balanced recreation facilities for current and future generations is the impetus for the Ontario Recreation & Parks Master Plan (ORPMP). Planning for parks and open space is more important than ever as Ontario continues to experience rapid population and employment growth, social and demographic changes, and residential development. Parks, trails, and recreation facilities will play a critical role in maintaining a healthy well-being balance for the growing population. The Department recognizes that these facilities will allow residents to experience their neighborhoods, culture, and city-at-large in meaningful and healthy manners.

The city’s growth also brings other potential challenges that the ORPMP can help address. Parks and open spaces provide a plethora of environmental benefits such as stormwater capture and cleaning, greenhouse gas sequestration, and reducing the heat island effect. Furthermore, parks and public spaces play a major role in maintaining mental health. Participating in sports, programs, classes, or simply going for a walk all have numerous mental health benefits that should not be taken for granted. The city and planning team behind the ORPMP would also be remiss not to mention the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on people and outdoor spaces. Our communities experienced how critical it is to have access to trails, parks, and other kinds of outdoor spaces. We heard through commentaries, surveys, and publications how much people needed to go outside to stay both physically and mentally healthy during the pandemic. As stated in a publication by the Trust for Public Land, “People turned to their parks like never before for fresh air, exercise, meditation, solace, and a much-needed break from the stresses of a quickly-changing world.” The pandemic spotlighted every city’s parks system and provided a unique opportunity to learn from this experience. The timing of the ORPMP was coincidental, and although it presented certain obstacles for the planning process, the final document provides a balanced way forward. The ORPMP assessed existing facilities and programs, engaged with the community through a series of online and in-person outreach strategies, developed a list of recommendations, and outlined a set of actions that will assist with project implementation. The ORPMP is the result of a one-year process that would not have been possible without the involvement and collaboration between city staff, local stakeholders, and Ontario residents.