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Parks, Recreation & Culture Strategy

Strategy Development Process

Parks, Recreation & Culture Strategy Vision 2020

Council approved the development of the Parks, Recreation & Culture Strategy in early 2004. The study process began in April 2004. This page provides background information on the Key Objectives and Activities of the process, the Study Process and Timetable and the Communication and Consultation process.

Key Objectives and Activities

The Study set out to:

  • Research recreation and culture interests, expressed needs and priorities from groups and individual citizens.
  • Examine trends in participation patterns and predict future leisure interests.
  • Prepare a community profile and account for anticipated population growth and change.
  • Address the issue of aging recreation facilities.
  • Define the future roles of the City and others in leisure services.
  • Define ‘culture’ and the future role of the City in the delivery of services in this sector.
  • Determine the potential of volunteers to assist in the provision of community-based recreation.
  • Find ways to assist volunteers involved in leisure services, including the City’s role through the Recreation and Culture Services Division.
  • Examine barriers to participation in leisure activities and recommend mitigating initiatives.
  • Reflect community, City Council, municipal staff and other stakeholder perspectives.
  • Link to other municipal plans and ongoing initiatives.
  • Examine the potential for partners and other strategic alliances in the provision of leisure services.
  • Research best practices in service provision, marketing and financing municipal leisure services.
  • Develop a strategy that reflects the financial realities of the City and other key providers.

Study Process and Timetable

  • Preliminary Work (April - June 2004)
  • Prepare the Background Report (April - October 2005)
  • Focus Group Workshops and Forums (July - early October 2004)
  • Craft the Vision document & identify the initial list of Core Strategies (November 2004 - January 2005)
  • Develop Draft Goals and Objectives (February - March 2005)
  • Develop the Draft Action Plan - Objectives and Action Strategies (March - mid May 2005)
  • Submit the Vision, Goals and Objectives of the Strategy for approval at Community Services Committee (June 27, 2005) and City Council (July 4, 2005)
  • Finalize Action Plans (July - August 2005)
  • Present Completed Strategy for Approval by Council (November 14, 2005)

Communication and Consultation

Communication and consultation with the community, City Council and other key groups was a cornerstone of the Parks, Recreation and Culture Strategy. The following techniques were used to gather opinion, create the vision and check the evolving strategy:

  • A Forum with City Council (July 2004)
  • A Forum with municipal staff (September 2004)
  • Four Forums with community representatives (one in each of four quadrants of the City) (September - October 2004)
  • Focus Group Workshops (September - October 2004):
    • Youth
    • Arts and culture groups
    • Leisure service providers
    • Oshawa Central Council of Neighbourhood Associations
    • Accessibility Committee
  • Household survey (completed in May 2004)
  • Project web site (ongoing)
  • Online survey (July - October 2004)
  • E-mail link to the project consultants (ongoing)
  • General call for briefs (July - October 2004)
  • The Visioning Team (January - February 2005)
  • City-wide Community Forum (May 31, 2005)