Parks Infrastructure

Type
Policy
Number
REC-2023-02
Document
Recreation-Budget-Form [PDF/30KB]
Adopted

Policy Number: REC-2023-02

Department: Recreation

Subject: Parks Infrastructure

Date: October 26th 2023

POLICY STATEMENT

The Nation Municipality has 10 municipal parks and 2 walking trails located throughout its territory. This policy is a guideline for the replacement of existing infrastructure located within the parks and for the creation and/or purchasing of new recreation infrastructures.

Like many municipalities in Ontario, the Nation is faced with aging infrastructures since the majority of recreation facilities and parks were established between 30 - 40 years ago through capital funding programs. Antiquated park infrastructure reduces user satisfaction and subsequent use of older amenities, limits the ability to appeal to and to accommodate growing family needs, diversity of use and accessibility.

ADMINISTRATION OF THE POLICY

The Recreation Department will be responsible for the inventory, identification and prioritization of park infrastructure/equipment. Proposals that include the creation or purchasing of new park infrastructure or trails will be evaluated, prioritized and recommendations will be made to Council.

REPLACEMENT OF EQUIPMENT/PARK INFRASTRUCTURE

Conditions:

  1. Equipment/ infrastructure is deemed unsafe or hazardous for public use due to normal usage, damage, or change in standard levels or safety guidelines.
  2. Cost to repair equipment/infrastructure is deemed too high and replacement is the most cost-effective alternative.
  3. Community consultation has been done to ensure that the needs of the community are being met and the replacement of the equipment is warranted and supported by the community.
  4. Replacement of the equipment/structure supports recommendations in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and encourages multi-generational use and accessibility.
  5. Estimates have been obtained by the Recreation department to establish a reasonable replacement value on equipment similar to what was existing, projects were prioritized, and the list will be established and updated annually during the budget process.
  6. Funding for the replacement of existing equipment/park infrastructure will be allocated 100% in the municipal budget based on budget priorities, estimates & recommendations provided by the department.

NEW PARK INFRASTRUCTURE, UPGRADING OF EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE AND/OR CREATION OF NEW TRAILS

A) ELIGIBLE FOR 100% MUNICIPAL FUNDING

Conditions:

  1. The purchase of the infrastructure and/or creation of a new trail is a direct recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, conditional that all assessments are complete, including: core services alignment, cost of services, community benefit assessment and community support analysis.
  2. The project must be submitted to the Recreation Department which will make recommendations based on the priorities within the municipality.
  3. Community consultation has been done to ensure that the needs of the community are being met and the initiative is supported by the community. Council may also reserve the right to request an amount of funding from the community for any project.
  4. The purchase or creation of new infrastructure supports recommendations in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and encourages multi-generational use and accessibility and/or is for a special community event.
  5. An assessment and inventory of recreation infrastructure within a 10km radius has been completed and indicates the need for the new infrastructure.

B) ELIGIBLE FOR PARTIAL MUNICIPAL FUNDING WITH A COMMUNITY LED INITIATIVE AND PARTNERSHIP

Conditions:

  1. The purchase or creation of new infrastructure supports recommendations in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and encourages multi-generational use and accessibility.
  2. Community consultation has been done to ensure that the needs of the community are being met and the initiative is supported by the community.
  3. The community partner commits to provide 30% of the capital cost of the project (before HST)
    Example project with a value of:
  • $50,000 community partner contributes $15,000
  • $95,000 community partner contributes $28,500
  • $160,000 community partner contributes $48,000

4.The community partner must submit a business plan for their fundraising which will be approved by the Municipality.

5. The President and the treasurer of the community partner will sign an agreement with the Municipality for the amount that the community partner will contribute to the project.

6. The Municipality may allow a maximum of a two-year period for the community partner to raise funds (if it is not a Council election year).

7. In kind contributions can be calculated into the percentage of the contribution from the community partner up to a maximum of 50% of the expected contribution.

Example for a $50,000 project - total contribution is $15,000 but $7,500 may be an in-kind contribution of labour or material and the balance of $7,500 a monetary donation.

8. In kind contributions will be evaluated based on comparable quotes for the cost of labour or material and will be approved by the Municipality.

Fill the Recreation Budget Form below and submit to the recreation department.

Carol Ann Scott
cscott@nationmun.ca

Accessible format available upon request.

Recreation Budget Form