CITY OF SASKATOON TO BEGIN PROCESS TO PLAN FOR THE FUTURE OF RECREATION AND PARKS

The City of Saskatoon (City) provides a wealth of opportunities for citizens to participate in and enjoy the benefits of sport, recreation, and park activities. These activities contribute to the high quality of life residents and visitors enjoy; they are also essential to individual and community health.

To sustain and enhance that quality of life, the City is developing a Recreation and Parks Master Plan (Master Plan). The Master Plan will provide an overall framework to guide the development, delivery, and continuous improvement of recreation and parks programs, services, and facilities.

Saskatoon has experienced significant change and growth since 1996, when the current Public Recreation Policy was put in place. As of March 2014, Saskatoon’s population is estimated to be 253,000, up from 194,000 in 1996. Combined with aging recreation infrastructure, changing participation patterns, as well as a shifting social and economic fabric, the City feels it is timely to develop a Master Plan and has hired a consulting team led by RC Strategies and PERC to assist in its development.

The City has identified that consultation with the community is critical to the development of the Master Plan. Community partners, organizations, and residents will be provided with opportunities to share their thoughts and ideas. To gather the thoughts of citizens, a random telephone survey will be held in the fall of 2014.
There will be other opportunities for citizens and community organizations to provide input on the City’s engagement website at www.shapingsaskatoon.ca and through many other channels over the coming weeks and months. 
“Recreation and parks services and programs help improve our overall health, strengthen families, and enhance our entire community,” said Director of Community Development, Lynne Lacroix. “I strongly encourage everyone to provide their input and have their say about the new Master Plan when given the opportunity. Together we can help shape the provision of recreation and parks services in the city for years to come.”

The Master Plan is scheduled for completion in early 2015.  For more information about the Master Plan process, please contact the City at 306-975-2289.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

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