The Resort Municipality of Whistler's (RMOW) Parks Master Plan is shifting into Phase 3.
At its Oct. 22 meeting, council heard an update on the project, which aims to create an inventory of amenities at each of Whistler's parks, prioritize future improvements and develop designs to carry them out (see Pique, June 20).
To date, the project has included two public open houses, three online surveys and one visitor survey.
Phase 3, which will last until spring 2020, will include conceptual designs for park improvements, cost estimates and a "high-level prioritization and timeline matrix," as well as more community engagement.
Phase 3 is already underway, and will focus on the same parks looked at in Phase 2, said parks planner Annie Oja in a presentation to council.
"Phase 3 will provide a long-term park reinvestment and development strategy informing future projects, work plans and the annual municipal budget process," she said.
While the planning process is ongoing, RMOW staff have identified some priority areas that need "more immediate attention," including replacement of the water play park at Meadow Park, a Valley Trail connection to Alta Lake Road at Rainbow Park and toad migration initiatives at Lost Lake Park.
Replacing the water play park is emerging as a high priority, Oja said.
"The current water supply pumps and play elements are at the end of their useful life span, and there are problematic operational issues with much of the infrastructure, including a lack of available replacement parts," she said.
Some of the other top public priorities include (but are not limited to): adding a designated dog off-leash area and expanding the riverfront picnic area at Meadow Park; adding a dog off-leash area at Spruce Grove Park and improving the Lost Lake trailhead access; upgrading the beach and re-envisioning the warming hut at Lost Lake Park; and providing a Valley Trail connection to Parkhurst, as well as adding water access and interpretative trails through the historic site.
"Moving forward we will look to balance the public priorities with other prioritization variables coming out of Phase 3—for example, the asset conditions," Oja said.
The RMOW park system is made of three types of parks, with 44 in total: major resort parks (Bayly, Spruce Grove, Lost Lake, Meadow, Rainbow, Wayside, Alpha Lake, Lakeside and Alta Lake) neighbourhood parks (such as Emerald Park) and natural park areas.
The Parks Master Plan's main focus is on the nine major resort parks, as well as Blueberry Park, the Green Lake Boat Launch, Green Lake Park and Parkhurst.
Neighbourhood parks, natural park areas, three school sport fields and newly acquired park lands are included in the project, but with a secondary focus.
Council voiced unanimous support for the project following the presentation.
"Parks are essential to the wellbeing of our community, to our four-season business model, and to environmental protection ... I just want to reiterate that I really value the work," said Councillor Arthur De Jong.
As Phase 3 progresses it will be good to see some potential financials alongside some of the prioritized items, added Coun. John Grills.
"It could be a three-year, five-year, seven-year project to take all your suggestions and see how we can implement them," he said.
"But adding the numbers to the priority list will be really helpful for council making the decision."
Find more info at www.whistler.ca/parks.
