The Director of Community Services for the Township of Huron-Kinloss stressed input from residents is vital as they prepare a new comprehensive Parks and Trails Plan.
Mike Fair said the Township currently maintains 18 parks and eight trails through day-to-day operations and capital planning.
"We feel our parks are good. The question is, are they meeting the needs of the the existing residents? And then also, you know what we look at down the road and how we develop any, any new facilities, such as a pickleball facility," he said.
Fair added the plan would guide the township over the next decade, and outline spending priorities.
"And also a capital plan that will include what we would be renovating at some of our parks and how that would look," Fair pointed out. "For instance, we're looking for a location for a pickleball court, and, or, several pickleball courts, a pickleball court facility. And then also we're looking for, you know, where to locate a dog park in Ripley, and also a dog park down the road in Lucknow as well."
Fair explained the plan will help ensure parks are accessible, revitalized, and meet the needs and wants of users of all ages.
"It really does give us the nuts and bolts for a capital plan for the next 10 years," said Fair. "Because it's about keeping these parks and trails fresh and keeping them maintained as well."
Fair noted that more people are taking advantage of the township's parks and trails.
"Since COVID, at the end of the day, that really drove a spike into our parks usage and trails usage in particular. It's good to be able to have a park nearby, within even a couple kilometers," Fair explained. "Our parks are a great opportunity for kids to, you know, learn those, skills, skills development of climbing and sliding."
The plan will also explore expanded trails, such as the Point Clark shoreline trail and take a closer look at the current state of parks and trails, who uses them, and what those users want. The final plan will include an actionable list of recommendations, timelines, and costs that we can implement over the next capital plan cycle
COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSES
Lucknow - July 17
Lucknow Community Centre 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Ripley - July 31
Ripley-Huron Community Centre 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Point Clark - August 17
Point Clark Community Centre 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.
Heritage Park - September 21 Heritage Park 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Final Open House - September 21 Virtual
People can also fill out a survey at www.haveyoursayhk.ca.
