New master plan in development for the Windsor’s parks

By Kyle Goodhue

The City of Windsor discussed the future of the city’s parks and recreational facilities Sept.17.
Residents of Ward 1 were invited to discuss and give feedback at an open house held at the South Windsor Recreation Complex.

The city is looking to develop a plan to re-evaluate Windsor’s parks and facilities, as well as ensure the amenities they offer are accessible to use by those who need it. “The goal of the parks master plan is to give us the guiding principle for the next 25 years of parks development,” said John Miceli, Executive director of Parks and Facilities for the City of Windsor.

The parks will be organized into three categories based their size: neighbourhood parks, community parks and regional parks. A plan will be made for each category based on what the community would like to see implemented.

“If you have a lot of kids in the neighbourhood, you should probably have more play equipment in that area, if it’s a senior area, they may want something different, they may want more trails for walking. So it’s about trying to find a balance,” said Mike Clement, general manager of Parks Development for the City of Windsor.

Windsor’s original parks master plan was developed in 1989 but has not been revised since its creation 25 years ago. The city will build off the old plan while introducing new ideas based on the feedback of Windsor residents.
The plan will be updated annually and kept up to date to ensure it can be used to make decisions regarding the city’s parks.
“We hope to go back to the community every five years, just to reaffirm that were on the right track” says Meceli.
Clement said the development of the new plan is due to numerous changes in Windsor over the last 25 years, including additional parks and a change in population demographic.
“A lot of different things have happened in the community, people’s priorities have changed so it was obvious,” said Clement.

However some residents fear that the re-evaluation may result in the removal of certain parks or other unwanted changes.
Windsor resident Patrick Thompson said he is concerned that the potential loss of parks and facilities may affect young families looking to move to Windsor.
“Young families still need park space to enjoy when they’re here, get rid of too many, you start losing the amenities that draw families to the city,” said Thompson.
Clement said they are looking to wrap up the consultation phase by March 2014 and begin developing the plan by April. They will also be expanding the city’s websites to include surveys, and will be expanding to social media.
“What’s happening here is really a long term process,” said Ward 1 Coun. Drew Dilkens. “So we expect the timeline for the final report for City Council is July 19.”