Residents are being asked for their feedback on the future of Kamloops parks.
Jeff Putnam, the City’s Parks and Streets Manager, says the City is redefining the Kamloops Parks Plan by asking for resident feedback to ensure the new plan reflects the community’s vision. “The purpose of the Kamloops Parks Plan is to create a framework for decisions related to parkland, park development, outdoor recreation, trails, and park management.”
It all builds upon the previous Parks Master Plan that was completed in 2013. Putnam says it’s been about 11 years since the plan was last developed, so it is time to revamp it. “And back then there was, you know, we had a lot less population demographics were slightly different, and the needs back then were things like edible gardening, dog need, more dog parks, more urban parks, that type of thing. So, we there was about 80 recommendations that came out of that plan, and we actually followed through on about 85% of that. And so now it’s time to refresh our parks plan.”
“We’ve hired a consultant who’s helping us, guide us through because it’s very extensive. It touches on almost every department actually within the city, Kamloops and within the community, Parks play a major role in all the neighborhoods and the business community. So there will be some invitation only engagement opportunities for in person in with those organizations and folks. And then we’ve also got, as I mentioned, an online survey that we encourage everyone to to check it out at the let’s, let’s talk section of the Kamloops city Kamloops website.”
Putnam says the survey will ask questions around accessibility and inclusivity. “Do people feel safe and secure in our parks? We’d like people’s comments about our action towards Truth & Reconciliation. We’d like to know demographics, what neighborhood do they live in, what age category would they fall under? Again, this is all anonymous.”
Residents are encouraged to participate in reimagining the Kamloops Parks Plan by participating in a survey to share their priorities for parks, outdoor recreation, and trails in the community. The City will collect online survey feedback until 10:00 pm on Sunday, October 27, 2024. If you do not have access to a computer, paper surveys will be available at City Hall (7 Victoria Street West) or at the Civic Operations Centre (955 Concordia Way) and completed paper forms will be accepted at either location until 4:00 pm on Friday, October 25, 2024.
The survey and a mapping exercise where residents can drop a marker and share their favourite park or trail experience can be found at LetsTalk.Kamloops.ca/ParksPlan.
