The City of Selkirk wants to hear your opinions on city parks, green spaces and trails as it works to develop a Parks Strategy that will be part of an overall Recreation Strategy.
Chris Carruthers, the city’s Director of Culture, Recreation and Green Transportation, said a Parks Survey – available online or at city offices, the Gordon Howard Centre and Gaynor Family Regional Library – will give citizens and other park users the opportunity to have their say in the future development of all city parks.
“The survey is in conjunction with the Parks Strategy that the city is developing. What we’re looking for is input from the community to better understand what they want to see in our parks,” Carruthers said.
“We want to know what we do well, what we can improve upon and what the public would perhaps like to see in the parks.”
Selkirk CAO Duane Nicol says the city’s Parks Strategy will build upon the city’s Recreation Strategy the city is set to release in the coming weeks.
“Our Parks Strategy will allow us to focus in on our parks and develop a long-term plan for them. These plans will allow us to continue to improve our parks service today and for years to come, by making strategic investments and using our limited operating resources wisely.”
Tell us about our parks
The survey includes questions about parks, such as Selkirk Park, and the various neighbourhood parks, as well as baseball diamonds, soccer fields, the Waterfront, green spaces and paths and trails.
Carruthers said the city would also like to hear from user groups, like Tri S Soccer and baseball and softball leagues, who also use city facilities.
The survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete, and contains questions on your park usage, including how often you visit parks, what time of day and what brings you to the park. Other questions include what activities you enjoy while at the park and how you get to the park.
The city has made improvements to many parks in recent years, from lighting and workout equipment at what’s commonly referred to as “Hydro Park” to new play structures in several neighbourhood parks. The survey will help guide the direction of future improvements.
Have your say in future development
The survey aligns with the city’s Strategic Plan, which makes having a vibrant, safe and healthy community a top priority, by continuing to develop Selkirk’s natural features and outdoor spaces, providing the best possible recreation opportunities for Selkirk residents and engaging the entire community in shaping the city’s future.
Improved outdoor spaces also capitalizes on Selkirk’s tourism potential and revitalizes the city’s image, also priorities in the Strategic Plan.
Carruthers said the results of the survey will be compiled and the city will then invite citizen participation in workshops to help define the Parks Strategy.
Surveys are an excellent way for citizens to have their say in future developments and be part of building their community.
Take the survey online, or if you’d prefer to fill out a paper version, you can find them at the Civic Office at 200 Eaton Ave., Gordon Howard Centre or the Gaynor Family Regional Library.
