Port Hope invites you to say how you play
By Cecilia Nasmith
An invitation to say how you play is extended by the Municipality of Port Hope, as it seeks public input on a new Leisure Services Master Plan designed to identify community priorities for parks, recreation and culture services over the next decade.
“Always starving to meet and exceed the interests of our community, staff has designed a Leisure Services master Plan campaign that will help inform them of the recreation, leisure and cultural experiences that best suit our residents,” Mayor Bob Saanderson said in the press release.
“This campaign also aligns nicely with our Strategic Plan, with a goal to enhance the quality of life for our residents.”
Public input and research will help formulate a Master Plan that is an actionable strategy with the flexibility to adapt to changes in the community and emerging trends in concert with other guiding documents (such as the 2009 Consolidated Waterfront Master Plan, 2011 Active Transportation and Trails Master Plan, 2012 Cultural Plan and 2016 Age Friendly Plan). It will assist the municipality and stake holders in making strategic investments to promote a health community and improve the quality of life for residents.
Among the topics to be explored are recreation and cultural programs, indoor and outdoor facilities, parks and open spaces, and related services and practices.
Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture Jim McCormack expressed confidence that this campaign will help determine the best use of tax dollars in these areas.
“The 2010 Leisure Services Master Plan was a highly successful strategy that provided the road map for our popular recreation and leisure services over the last decade,” McCormack pointed out.
“It's time for an update, and this campaign will undoubtedly ensure that the new Master Plan addresses the current wants and needs of the community, with a clear vision for the department for the next 10 years.”
In conjunction with this process, staff have launched a Say How You Play campaign as a community-engagement exercise to permit stake holders and members of the public to give input on how they use parks, facilities and services, as well as how public spaces and services can be improved for future generations.
As well, the municipality has retained Monteith Brown and Associates to assist with the community-engagement campaign and drafting of the Master Plan.
Upcoming opportunities to get involved include:
A community survey – available on-line at www.surveymonkey.com/r/leisureservicesmp with copies also available to be picked up at municipal offices once they reopen.
Public open house – a chance for residents to learn about the project and provide input.
Written submissions – which may be directed to jsnoek@porthope.ca.
As well, a public-input session will be held near the end of the planning process to present the Draft Master Plan for additional feedback. Such in-person events as this and the public open house are on hold for the moment, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and will be scheduled at an appropriate future time.
