Parks & Trails Master Plan

Project state

Active

Help Shape the Future of Our Parks and Trails!

The District of Central Saanich is developing a new Parks and Trails Master Plan, and we want your input! This Plan will guide the future of our parks, shoreline accesses, and trail networks, ensuring they reflect the evolving needs of our community, promote active lifestyles, and protect our natural environment.

Through community feedback, we can create a plan that balances recreational opportunities, environmental sustainability, and accessibility for all ages and abilities. This is your opportunity to share your thoughts on:

Improvements to existing parks and trails
New amenities and facilities
Opportunities for enhancing accessibility
Protecting natural spaces and ecosystems
Expanding trail connections across the District

How Can You Participate?

We have several ways for you to get involved:

Read the Draft Parks & Trails Master Plan
Online Survey: Thank you for your input, the survey is now closed.
Community Open Houses have concluded
Thank you to everyone who attended our recent community open houses. We appreciate your feedback and participation in helping shape the draft plan!

You can now view the virtual presentation and open house boards online:
- Virtual Presentation
- File
  
  Park&Trails Open House boards.pdf

What We’ve Heard So Far

From engagement in earlier stages of the project, the following priorities are identified.

Accessible and inclusive park spaces for all age groups
Preserving natural habitats and enhancing environmental stewardship
Expanding and improving walking and cycling trails and shoreline access points
Providing more amenities such as playgrounds, sports facilities, and picnic areas

Your continued feedback will help ensure that these priorities, along with any new ideas, are reflected in the final Master Plan.

Next Steps

Feedback gathered in this phase will inform the final Parks & Trails Master Plan and Implementation Plan that will be presented to Council for input. Your feedback will play a key role in shaping this plan, ensuring that our parks and trails continue to serve the needs of the community for years to come.

Background

Central Saanich is home to a bounty of beautiful parks, trails and beach accesses. We’re excited to launch this public engagement site as we embark on drafting a new plan to guide parks and trails planning and development for the next 10 to 20 years, enabling the District to plan and budget for park and trail improvements. The process will involve analyzing our existing parks and trails, their natural and physical assets, how we use these spaces and identifying priorities for improvements and upgrades.

The plan will build on existing work done through the Official Community Plan review, the Active Transportation Plan, the Saanichton Village Design Plan, Age-Friendly Community Plan, and others. Following on the heels of these projects ensures we understand demographics, where development will be focused, accessibility opportunities and future active transportation linkages.

Updates

In September 2023, we launched the first phase of engagement to gather feedback from impacted parties, residents, visitors, user groups, community organizations, and District departments. Two more phases will follow. The purpose of this initial phase of engagement was to provide opportunities to gather input on the strengths, needs, and opportunities for the development of the new Parks and Trails Master Plan. The insights collected are part of the overall assessment and analysis of parks, trails, and beaches.

As part of the engagement activities, the District held community conversations with residents, community partners, schools and students, recreation users, environmental groups, First Nations, and District Staff.

Participants were asked:
- How often, when, and where do you use Central Saanich Parks, trails, and beaches?
- What are your favourite activities in Central Saanich parks, trails, and beaches?
- What improvements would you like for Central Saanich parks, trails, and beaches?
- What challenges do you have in using Central Saanich parks, trails, and beaches?
- What environmental priorities should be included in the Parks and Trails Master Plan?
- What should be the key priorities for the Parks and Trails Master Plan?
  
  Read the Report
The District of Central Saanich is working to create a new Parks and Trails Master Plan and we need your help! Please take this first survey before it closes on Dec 15, 2023.

Why take the survey?
- share your thoughts and perspectives on how you currently use Central Saanich parks, trails, and beach accesses,
- tell us what opportunities should be considered and challenges you're experiencing for the improvements and upgrades of these great places,
- help us set the direction and guiding principles for the new Plan!
About
- This survey is estimated to take 10-15 minutes to complete.
- If you leave your contact information at the end of the survey, you will be entered to WIN a Central Saanich stainless steel water bottle! All information collected will be kept confidential and used only in a summary of feedback received.
- The survey has been organized based on the core areas we will be reviewing as part of the new Parks and Trails Master Plan. You’re welcome to provide feedback on as many of the areas you are interested in as well as any additional comments.

Discussion

Parks & Trails Master Plan

Help Shape the Future of Our Parks and Trails!

How Can You Participate?

What We’ve Heard So Far

Next Steps

Background

Updates

Read the Report

Phase 1: Setting Directions

Phase 2 - Draft Plan Review (current phase)

Phase 3 - Final Draft