Clarington Council announced that it has approved funding for the Parks, Recreation, and Culture Master Plan.
The amount has not been disclosed.
The funding for the master plan was approved as part of the budget for 2023. Clarington Council also approved hiring the necessary consulting expertise to develop the master plan at its May 1 meeting.
A statement said the Municipality of Clarington has begun work on an expedited Master Plan to better understand the services and facilities that should be offered to residents now and in the future.
“Population growth, higher-density neighbourhoods and changes to the Planning and Development Charges Act, are all changing the landscape of Clarington’s resources to meet the growing demand for parks, recreation, and culture,” it said.
A full Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan will offer a complete picture of the municipality’s current and long-term needs and the financial impacts. This will give council the information to make informed decisions on future capital investments and programming, it added.
Bowmanville Zoo Lands Park
The first glimpse of a Bowmanville Zoo Land Park plan was presented to council members on April 24, by Valleys 2000, a local non-profit dedicated to protecting green space in Bowmanville.
Thirty-four acres of the former zoo property were donated to Clarington for a public park. Municipal staff have partnered with Valleys 2000 to work on a concept plan. The volunteer group hired a landscape architect and held public consultation meetings to form the park proposal.
The design includes features such as a natural amphitheatre for outdoor performances, sports fields, playground spaces, outdoor classrooms, a community garden, nature areas, and trail connections both within the park and as part of the larger trail system.
The Bowmanville Zoo Lands Park Concept Plan will be included as part of the Parks Recreation and Culture Master Plan, now underway.