Review the draft Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan for a chance to win an iPad mini

Clarington: did we get it right?

With input from residents, community groups, staff and council, and backed by extensive data, trends and analysis, a comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan (PRCMP) has been drafted and is ready to share with the public.

Clarington residents are invited to review the PRCMP (or highlights) and submit their feedback at www.clarington.net/PRCMP between Tuesday, September 17 to Sunday, October 6, 2024 for a chance to win an iPad mini!

“When we create public spaces, we’re creating opportunities for people to connect to each other and their community. From new recreation opportunities, connected trail systems, waterfront development, splash pads, bookmobiles and more parks – the PRCMP outlines the strengths and opportunities in Clarington’s current parkland, programs and services, and what’s needed to grow with the community,” said Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster. “Residents told us, through the Strategic Plan, that parkland and recreation is vitally important. The community’s vision will guide Council. That’s why we’re calling on residents to fill out a survey to help us refine the plan. I encourage everyone to take a moment to share their feedback.”

In addition to parks, recreation and culture, the PRCMP also offers recommendations to develop unique spaces, including:

• Creating a community park on the former Bowmanville Zoo lands with a vision for a signature park that is tied to the natural and cultural history of the property.
• Working with the Jury Lands Foundation to determine the future of the historic Camp 30 cafeteria building.
• Enhancing Clarington’s waterfront, with a focus on advancing the Courtice Waterfront Development and Energy Park Secondary Plan, which would create a premium 18-hectare municipal park along the Courtice waterfront.

These unique spaces are important to the community, but Council will need to make decisions on what to develop first, based on competing budget priorities. Residents will have an opportunity to weigh-in on these projects at www.clarington.net/PRCMP. 

How was the PRCMP developed?

Clarington’s PRCMP was developed through extensive community engagement (open houses, online surveys and written submissions), staff consultation (workshops, advisory committees, board meetings and council interviews) and data collection, review and analysis.

Many factors helped inform the recommendations within the PRCMP, including:

• Clarington’s projected population growth into 2036
• The current use-rates for existing facilities and programs
• Projected uptake for future programs and facilities, based on data trends
• Average household income and median age
• Diversity, equity and inclusion
• Impacts of Climate Change
• Population densities in urban centres, rural towns and Major Transit Station Areas
• Impacts of provincial legislation and policies
• Budget allocation
• … and more!

Head to www.clarington.net/PRCMP to review the full plan (or highlights), share your feedback, and rank the three special project priorities before October 15, 2024 for a chance to win an iPad mini. The plan will go before Clarington Council for final approval on October 28, 2024.