Municipal Parkland Strategy
M UNICIPALITY of the COUNTY of COLCHESTER
Approved by Council: January 4, 2001
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PRELUDE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
pg. 2
I
INTRODUCTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
pg. 4
II
TYPES OF PARKLAND & OPEN SPACE.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
pg. 5
III
SUBURBAN COLCHESTER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.
Provision of Park Space
2.
Amount and Distribution of Neighbourhood Park Space in
Suburban Colchester
3
Projection of Future Park Space Requirements
4.
Acquisition of New Park Space and 5% Cash in Lieu
5.
Park Site Development
6.
The Cobequid Trail Network
pg. 6
IV
TATAMAGOUCHE, BROOKFIELD & GREAT VILLAGE. . . .
pg. 11
V
RURAL COLCHESTER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.
Amount and Distribution of Parkland
2.
Supporting Community Initiatives
pg. 13
V
REGIONAL
1.
2.
3.
4.
APPENDIX #1
APPENDIX #2
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Bibliography. . .
PARK SPACE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
pg. 15
General Provision of Regional Facility
Trail Development
Natural Parks
Recognition of the Importance of General Open Space Within Our
Community
Council Direction for Parkland Strategy. . . . .
pg. 18
Parkland Hierarchy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
pg. 21
Tot Tots
Neighbourhood Parks
Community Recreation Parks
Community Athletic Parks
Natural Parks
Decorative Parks & Garden Areas
Special Purpose Areas
Linear Parks, Trails and Equestrian Trails
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 23
Municipal Parkland Strategy
pg. 2
PRELUDE
It is the responsibility of a Municipal Council, to determine the appropriate type and
level of service to be provided by the Municipality to its communities. Expectation for
services differ between rural Colchester and the more densely populated, suburban
communities surrounding Truro.
In January 2001, Council discussed its role in the provision and maintenance of
parkland. Through a draft strategy, presented for discussion purposes, Council agreed
to standards that form the basis for policy in this Strategy. The recommendations are
contained in Appendix #1 of this Strategy.
Once adopted by Council, this parkland strategy will establish standards for reasonable
distribution of park space and future allocation of resources. It will also form the basis
for other implementation policy in such documents as the municipality’s Service
Delivery Strategy, Municipal Planning Strategies and Subdivision By-law.
Implementation of the principles set by Council in January 2001 has commenced.
Council adopted policy that financially supports playground improvement projects at
Colchester’s 18 elementary schools. In the 2001/02 budget Council committed funds to
begin municipal parkland maintenance and improvements. More recently, policy for the
disposal of surplus parkland was adopted.
Municipal Parkland Strategy
pg. 3
“Open space is one of the most valuable commodities, not only for its visual and
aesthetic qualities, but also for its recreational, ecological, agricultural, and
economic functions. Open spaces, both peripheral and internal, provide
recreation and civic areas. They can serve as a buffer against incompatable
uses, an ecological resource, and a boundary for development.”
(Anton Nelessen Visions for a New American Dream p167.)
I
INTRODUCTION
The role of park and open space can be broad and varies for each community. The
focus is to provide park opportunity for primarily our residents but also visitors. It is
opportunity to participate in activity ranging from, a family walk to sporting events,
tournaments and festivals. Like education and health care, parkland is an important
component of the “quality of life” that make our community attractive, not only for
existing residents but for economic promoters competing to attract new business to our
region.
Parks should be where the community comes together and offer a safe, creative
environment where parents take young children to play while being large enough to
facilitate a neighbourhood game of “pickup”. It can be a linear trail along a natural
feature or simply open space that offers breathing space in a growing suburban
community. Regardless, park space is an important part of our community.
As the suburban communities of central Colchester grow, there is increased
expectation for recreation opportunity. Most communities already have a number of
sites, however, the development potential is often limited.
In rural Colchester, the population density and distribution of parkland is less but parks
are equally important. A community park site can be one of the few public facilities in a
rural community.
Policies contained within this Strategy set minimum standards yet offer flexibility to
accommodate unique opportunities that a community may present. It is also the basis
by which decisions are made concerning the acquisition and disposal of land.
These policies are a first for Colchester County and reflect the philosophy and
requirements of this point in time. As our communities grow and change the
Municipality must review these policies periodically to ensure they are consistent with
Council’s vision for this service.
Policy
1.
It shall be a policy of Council to review the policy contained within
this strategy on a periodic basis to ensure consistency with
Council’s vision for this service.
Municipal Parkland Strategy
pg. 4
II TYPES OF PARKLAND & OPEN SPACE
Most communities have a variety of park and open space. The size of a community will
determine the number and types of parks required.
The following is a typical, “industry standard” classification of community park space. In
our communities some sites may represent more than one definition while other types
of parks may not be appropriate. A more detailed description for each type of park is
attached as Appendix #2.
Table #1
Parkland Type and Hierarchy
Parkland Type & Hierarchy
Level
Examples
Size
Tot Lot
Half Moon Park
(Valley)
Neighbourhood
Parks
Valley
Elementary
Nancy Avenue
Park
Princeton
Heights/ Ice Pond
Athletic Parks
- Regional
TAAC Grounds
Airport Fields
Stanfields Field
- Community
Valley Rec Site
Belmont Ball
Park
Regional
Recreation
Parks
Natural Parks
0.5
ac+
as
requ’r
d
Victoria Park
Trails
Description
Comments
400 m
1/4 mile
- Typically smallest park space, provides
amenity space or play space for small
children only. Most backyards provide the
space & play equipment destined for a tot
lot. Not large enough for older children.
-Generally not encouraged
due to size;- Use to
augment a lack of park
space or serve specific
need; - Sell remaining sites.
- Larger, better able to accommodate
multiple active play including sports;
Structured & unstructured activities;
- Natural/ passive space should be
consideration.
- Link by pathway network.
- Appropriate size to serve
suburban community
needs;
- Encourage partnership
with school sites.
- Regional Athletic Parks are the
prominent spots fields & tend to be
specialized vs multi purpose. Intended to
draw users from the entire community
and beyond
- Community sites built and maintained by
local rec associations mainly for their use.
- Community fairly well
serviced upgrades required;
- New community level
facilities considered on an
as need basis by the
regional community;
800 m
½ mile
entire
community
- Large sites; should be prominently
located within a community, preferably
along a collector road & focussed on a
unique natural feature such as a river or
lake.
10
ac+
Victoria Park,
Stewiacke River
Park,
Varied
Garden Areas
Special
Purpose
5 -10
ac
Service
Radius
Community
Garden
Victoria Square,
Community
&
beyond
A unique or speciality facility or larger
parcel of land intended to draw users
from the entire central area and beyond.
Provincially owned and operated facilities
of Shubenacadie Wildlife Park, Five
Islands Provincial Park could also fall
within the definition of Regional Facilities.
Nelson Memorial
Park,
Cobequid Trail;
Municipal Parkland Strategy
pg. 5
- Due to size, community
parks not likely to be
acquired through the 5%
subdivision process.
-Consider on an as need
basis and as opportunities
are presented.
- Consider development by
the regional community and
even in cooperation with
corporate community.
III SUBURBAN COLCHESTER
1.
Provision of Park Space
In today’s society, the play of young children is often supervised by parents willing to
travel to a location with sufficient facility to warrant the trip and entertain for a longer
period. “Lumberyard” playsets are common to residential backyards and offer
neighbourhood Tot Lot level park. It is recommended that the Municipality discourage
the acquisition and development of small, Tot Lot parks and focus on fewer, larger
sites, characteristic of the Neighbourhood Park described in table #1.
At five to ten acres, Neighbourhood Parks are of sufficient size to allow older children to
play informal games of ball and are close enough to home to enable unsupervised use.
A neighbourhood park system would require less sites and therefore resources could
be concentrated to provide a more attractive park. Fewer sites will also simplify
maintenance overall.
Many schools are centrally located within our communities and have enough space to
function as a neighbourhood park. Where appropriate, school sites should become part
of the neighbourhood park network, thus avoiding duplication. Partnership with the
school board should be encouraged.
It is also important to understand a park’s “carrying capacity”, or ability to handle the
neighbourhood’s use without diminishing nature’s ability to regenerate itself.
Athletic sites are almost exclusively ballfields or soccer fields. In the County, the
majority of fields used by the Colchester Soccer Association are on school sites. Most
communities are well equipped with ball fields at this time. Soccer continues to grow as
players mature and adult level play develops. New community sports fields will only be
created through partnerships and demonstrated need. At this time Council have stated
that field maintenance will continue to be the responsibility of the appropriate athletic
association (see appendix #1).
It shall be a policy of Council to:
2.
focus on Neighbourhood Parks as the principle parkland for the
communities of suburban Colchester;
3.
establish standards for the distribution of neighbourhood park space
in suburban Colchester
4.
identify schools as neighbourhood parks where appropriate and
encourage a partnering with the School Board;
5.
pursue a community use of schools agreement to define the terms of
Municipal Parkland Strategy
pg. 6
a partnership described in the previous policy;
2.
6.
consider the development of new athletic fields only in partnership
with the appropriate Association;
7.
not be involved in sports field maintenance at this time.
Amount and Distribution of Neighbourhood Park Space in Suburban
Colchester
In planning a network of park and open space, two issues stand out in importance; how
much parkland is required and how should it be distributed? While there is neither a
right nor wrong amount of community park space, the Municipality should attempt to
ensure that there is “enough” space for children and family activity in each community.
The type and amount of parkland in each community varies greatly. The target of this
Strategy is to provide adequate, neighbourhood parkland, within reasonable distance of
ones home, that caters to the active play of families and children of all ages that cannot
be safely accommodated in ones backyard.
Upon review of both academic and industry standards, 2 hectares or 4.8 acres per
1,000 people is a reasonable amount for neighbourhood use. Based on current
development densities in suburban Colchester, this would dedicate 3% of a
community’s development space for neighbourhood parks.
The literature also suggests Neighbourhood Parks should be centrally located to the
area they serve and within a reasonable travel distance from residential areas. While
people are willing to travel a longer distance to enjoy the unique features of Victoria or
Five Islands Parks, there is an expectation that play space, geared to everyday use,
should be available within reasonable proximity to home. Industry standards suggest
that for suburban communities, ½ mile or 800 metres is a reasonable travel distance
for a neighbourhood park. A greater travel distance could raise the expectation for park
infrastructure beyond that envisioned for a Neighbourhood Park and park use would
actually decrease.
Table #2 Existing Park Inventory
Inventory of Existing Parks
Total
Tot Lots
Neighbourhood
Parks &
School Sites
Valley
15
6
2
Salmon River
8
3
Hilden
3
Truro Heights
3
Neighbourhood
Athletic Park
Other
Sell
Recommendation
1
6
7
3
1
1
3
1
1
1
0
1
3
0
0
0
3
Municipal Parkland Strategy
pg. 7
North River
Total
3
1
1
32
16
7 (5)*
1
0
1
4
7
15
* 5 sites or municipally owned
Table 2 provides an inventory of existing park space for each community in central
Colchester. Based on the standards set in this section a number of sites are identified
as being surplus or not meeting Council’s criteria. As the Municipality creates a network
of neighbourhood parks, consideration should be given to disposing of surplus
properties.
The number of sites in any particular community illustrates the amount of growth that
has taken place. Valley has the most sites and is quite well served. Truro Heights, on
the other hand has the fewest sites and none meet the criteria of a neighbourhood park
or athletic field. Truro Heights is also the only community without an elementary school
and playground. Truro Heights represents the community where the Municipality should
be most active to ensure neighbourhood park space.
3
Projection of Future Park Space Requirements
The total public open space required for each suburban community is summarized
below. Table 3 assumes continuation of the current development density of 6 persons
per acre. Future parkland requirements were then calculated based on 2 hectares of
space per 1,000 population.
Table #3 Projected Land Requirements
Projected Parkland Requirements
P opulation
C om m unity
1996
C ensus
E xisting Parkland
P rojected
C apacity*
S chool
S ites ha
E xisting
P arkland
ha
R equired Parkland
Total
ha (ac)
R equired
1996
P rojected
at capacity
ha
Total
S urplus/
D eficit
V alley
2,595
6,970
6.5
10.8
17.3
5.7
14
S alm on R iver
2,189
6,131
7
9.4
16.4
4.4
12.3
4.1
(10 ac)
743
2,937
2.4
2
4.4
1.5
6
-1.6
(-4 ac)
Truro H eights
1,644
6,254
0
2.7
2.7
3.3
12.5
-10
H ilden
1,690
7,010
2.1
3.8
5.9
3.4
14
-8
T otal
8,861
29,302
18
28.7
N orth R iver
46.7 (115.4)*
17.7 (43.8)
* Based on current developm ent trends and densities ** R epresents 2.4% of developable land.
58.8 (145)***
3 .3
(8 ac)
(-24)
(-20)
-12 (-30)
*** R epresents 3% of developable land
While densities and numbers may change over time, this data provides an indication of
how well each community is served with parkland. This type of analysis doesnot
consider distribution of park space. For example, developers of some long established
neighbourhoods in Valley were very generous with parkland. Donated land skews the
Municipal Parkland Strategy
pg. 8
figures for the all of Valley. In reality, some sections of the community are not well
served and more land should be acquired as subdivisions are developed. The standard
of two hectares for 1,000 residents represents a benchmark only, to be considered as
one reviews the requirements for each community.
It shall be a policy of Council to:
8.
work toward the provision of parkland at a Neighbourhood Park
standard;
4.
9.
strive to provide 2 hectares per 1,000 people of neighbourhood
parkland, representing 3% of the community’s development land.
10.
attempt to provide reasonable access to neighbourhood parks at a
standard of 800 metres travel radius.
Acquisition of New Park Space and 5% Cash in Lieu
Through continued growth in each community, subdivisions will be created that are
obligated to provide parkland or cash in lieu of land under the Municipal Subdivision
Bylaw. It is in the Municipality’s best interest to clearly state where land is required and
where cash in lieu should be accepted. Areas under served with park space are
typically those yet to be developed. As growth continues the subdivision process offers
opportunity to acquire new sites to respond to increased demand.
To avoid acquisition of unwanted park space, areas that require land are identified, and
additional space will be acquired through land subdivision. By identifying future needs
today the Development Officer, through this Strategy, is able to articulate community
needs and Municipal interests to a developer. It is possible that the municipality may
have to purchase lands beyond the requirements of the subdivision bylaw to meet the
future needs of an area.
In areas adequately served, “cash in lieu” of land will be required from the developer.
There can be exceptions such as extension to a trail network or where land provides
expansion to an existing park. The exception will be at the discretion of the
Development Officer.
Map #2 identifies where parkland will be required in the future and areas adequately
serviced today where cash in lieu will be required. Implementation of this policy will be
provided through criteria and procedures adopted in the Municipality’s Subdivision
Bylaw.
It shall be a policy of Council to:
11.
clearly state areas of communities adequately served with
neighbourhood parkland and where land is required;
Municipal Parkland Strategy
pg. 9
5.
12.
incorporate the guiding principles of this section into the Municipal
Subdivision Bylaw;
13.
recognise that the 5% subdivision process may not fulfil a
community’s parkland needs and that additional land may have to be
purchased.
Park Site Development
As locations for Neighbourhood Parks are identified and assembled, resources will be
required for their development and ongoing maintenance. As referenced in Appendix
#1, Council committed to bringing municipally owned sites up to a maintainable
standard and provide maintenance.
The second phase of park development is the provision of equipment or facility.
Equipping a park can be an expensive undertaking and therefore any facility must be
relevant to the neighbourhood that the park serves. Neighbourhood Parks will be
equipped in partnership with the neighbourhood or representative association on a cost
share basis.
It shall be a policy of Council to:
14.
assume responsibility for the upgrade and ongoing maintenance of
municipally owned Neighbourhood Parks;
15.
6.
consider new park facility on a cost share basis with appropriate
partners.
The Cobequid Trail Network
A trail network can be an invaluable method of linking neighbourhoods to parks and
other community facilities such as schools. They also offer access to unique features in
each community and quiet walking or running opportunity as a recreation pastime.
Once constructed trail maintenance is more of an annual event rather than daily.
Periodic inspections are required to ensure safety. The popularity of trails suggests that
the municipality are serving a definite need by developing the Cobequid Trail and efforts
should continue to integrate the network to into our communities.
Work to date has concentrated on easy connections to give the project some
momentum. Bits and pieces of trail development has been started in Truro, Bible Hill,
Lower Truro and Valley but much more work is required to make it a functioning
network. The network should be extended to connect Truro to Bible Hill sections and
extended out to other communities in central Colchester. It is the intention of the trail
planning committee to have the network access such opportunities as Victoria Park,
and Lepper Brook watershed lands as well as improve access to the rivers.
Municipal Parkland Strategy
pg. 10
It shall be a policy of Council to:
16.
continue to support and fund trail development throughout central
Colchester as a recreation priority;
17.
support the development of a long range master plan for the
Cobequid Trail Network.
IV TATAMAGOUCHE, BROOKFIELD & GREAT VILLAGE
Municipal Parkland Strategy
pg. 11
The rural communities of Tatamagouche, Brookfield and Great Village are the larger
centres of North, South and West Colchester respectively. Each community is served
with municipal sewer and a higher settlement density than is common to rural
Colchester.
Great Village is the smallest of the three communities. It is served by an elementary
school with playground and ball field. Bass River has an elementary and junior high
school and Debert has the arena. At this time, park facilities seem to be disbursed
throughout the many communities of West Colchester and neither Great Village or any
other community appear to play a regional role.
Brookfield and Tatamagouche both act a service centres to their region. Brookfield is
host community for all levels of public schooling (P to 12) which alone can generate
considerable sporting activity and facility. Brookfield is also well served by the Don
Henderson Memorial Sportsplex with Arena, Curling club and daycare. The athletic
association maintain ballfields at the Sportsplex site. The community also has an 18
hole golf club. A new high school being constructed in Brookfield is positively impacting
community access to school facilities. The Municipality committed funds, through an
area rate, to improve gym/cafeteria to create a multipurpose auditorium space. As the
Elementary to high school “campus” develops, other recreation opportunities are likely
to be identified that can benefit both school and community.
Tatamagouche is the only incorporated village of the three. It is the predominate
community of the North shore and serves a region beyond the bounds of Colchester
County. Like Brookfield it hosts all levels of public schooling (P to 12). The elementary
school is preparing aggressive plans for playground improvements of which the
municipality has committed $10,000. Once completed, the facility will attract children
from the entire region.
During the recent land use planning process for Tatamagouche design concepts were
developed for some of the predominate open spaces in the Village. In regard to this
parkland strategy, the “Village Squares” project contemplated the creation of a “Village
Common” located in front of the high school, for use as a community garden and
festival & events venue. This would involve removing the schools soccer field to the
“Sports Common” situated behind the North Shore Recreation Centre. It is also
proposed to relocate the ball fields from Nelson Park to this location.
Combining the athletic fields to one location has a number of benefits. First all facility
becomes centrally located within the Village and is likely to be used more often. It is
also a better arrangement for hosting tournaments and utilizing the community’s
facilities. Registration, feeding, beer gardens etc can all happen at the Rec. Centre and
Nelson Park can remain as a quiet camping facility.
The Village Commission have recognised the potential of the Village Squares project
for the community and as of November 2001 have offered to spearhead the project.
Municipal Parkland Strategy
pg. 12
It is likely that the Municipality will be asked to assist with funding these types of
regional/community facilities.
Centres like Tatamagouche and Brookfield play an important role. They offer facility to
a region, often build through the efforts of the Villages volunteers that would otherwise
not be there. The consequence of not having these regional/ community facilities is that
residents would have to travel to central Colchester to participate in activities which is a
real incumbrance to participation.
It shall be a policy of Council to:
18.
recognise the importance of the recreation and park facilities in the
regional centres of Brookfield and Tatamagouche to the entire region
in which they are situate;
19.
support the provision of facility that serves a regional/ community
area;
20.
review the role of these communities periodically to ensure
Council’s policies reflect community direction;
21.
consider requests for funding of new initiatives on a case by case
basis and review of community support, demand, and context with
other community facility.
Municipal Parkland Strategy
pg. 13
V RURAL COLCHESTER
Lower population density and larger house lots means there is less demand for park
space in rural subdivisions and communities. Greater travel distances to amenities is
also an accepted part of rural life style. However parkland is equally important to
quality of life in rural Colchester.
The role of parkland is more likely as a community park at a central location that offers
space catering to particular interests of that community. Parkland in rural Colchester is
more likely to be used for community events such as picnics and festivals.
New parkland is not being acquired in rural Colchester through the Subdivision process.
For areas not covered by the Central Colchester Municipal Planning Strategy, 2% cash
in lieu of land is mandatory. Future land requirements will be identified and evaluated
on a case by case basis. While many sites have been acquired through donation, the
Municipality will have to consider land purchase from time to time.
1.
Amount and Distribution of Parkland
In rural Colchester the parkland figures tell a different story from the Suburban analysis.
Provincial parklands along with other large regional park facilities boost the existing
parkland figures far beyond the 2 hectares per 1,000 population suggested for
suburban Colchester. This does not mean that all rural communities are well served
with recreation land. Rather these sites serve regional and provincial market. They
distort the existing parkland figures with land that may not accommodate community
interest.
Standards which made sense in the Suburban section cannot be applied uniformly in
rural Colchester. The number of small communities with low population base make it
impossible to meet both the size and distribution standards for neighbourhood parkland.
Rather the provision of parkland will have to be tailored to each communities interests.
Table 4: Population and parkland distribution and parkland requirements by Region
Region
Population
Required Parkland
(hectares)
Existing Parkland
(hectares)
Existing Parkland
with Provincial Parks
West
2,924
5.8
119
403
North
3,204
6.4
25
40
South
5,428
10.9
72
385
Central
10,217
23.7
93
462
Urban Core*
8,861
17.7
47
47
Municipal Parkland Strategy
pg. 14
30,634
total
64.5
356
1,337
* excludes Bible Hill as Commission provides recreation service
2.
Supporting Community Initiatives
From time to time community associations approach the municipality to hold title to land
on behalf of the association as they develop it as a community site. As the needs and
interests vary between each community in rural Colchester, the municipality should play
a more passive role that assists communities in the acquisition and development of
land. This benevolent role may mean that the municipality assists associations in their
organization, act as title holder, provide any technical support and supportive funding
for the group undertaking the development.
Because of the vast geographic region that is Colchester, it is unlikely that the
municipality could ever maintain facility in a cost effective fashion. Day to day
maintenance should be the responsibility of the rural community and, if involved, the
Municipality would provide financial assistance.
Table #5 Parkland Inventory
Parkland Inventory
Total
Tot Lots
Community Parks &
Schools
Regional
Parks
Provincial
Parks
Other
Sell
West
11
0
9
0
1
1
0
North
6
0
2
1
3
0
0
South
15
0
12
1
1
1
0
Central
21
14
6
0
1
0
8
53
14
29 (15)*
2
4
2
8
Total
*15 of the 29 Community Parks are school sites, owned and maintained by School Board.
Through the Municipality’s school playground policy $130,000 has been committed for
the improvement of playgrounds at 13 rural elementary schools. This type of supportive
program goes a long way to helping rural communities with their objectives. This
partnership also helps with municipal objective of providing reasonable distribution of
facility throughout Colchester.
It shall be a policy of Council to:
22.
recognise the role of parkland as community space in rural
Colchester;
23.
not follow the space / distribution guidelines established for
suburban Colchester but rather support community initiatives that
Municipal Parkland Strategy
pg. 15
create community orientated park space;
24.
have the Municipality play a supportive role in the provision of
parkland in rural Colchester and that communities must define their
requirements based particular interests;
25.
consider requests for funding of new initiatives on a case by case
basis and review of community support, demand, and context with
other community facility.
Municipal Parkland Strategy
pg. 16
V REGIONAL PARK SPACE
1.
General Provision of Regional Facility
Regional facilities should be considered on an “as needed” basis by the regional
community. Should the region identify tournaments as a tourism initiative, upgrade may
be required for some facilities. Special interest sites will also be considered as regional
facilities and developed as a cooperative project.
It shall be a policy of Council to:
26.
consider supporting regional park opportunities on a case by case
basis, and in partnership with other interest groups;
2.
Trail Development
Interest in trails continues to grow throughout North America. In Colchester a number
of trail projects are underway that serve both resident and tourist interests. The
Cobequid Trail in central Colchester, the Kenomy Trail in Economy and the Trans
Canada Trail are three examples of projects that offer three different trail experiences.
Trails have grown in popularity in rural Colchester. Unlike the Cobequid Trail Network
which is primarily a community service, many trail projects in rural Colchester target the
regional community and tourists. Trails are viewed as a necessary eco-tourism facility
with economic benefits for the community. Trails offer visitors access to our natural
environment and is a method of encouraging visitors to stay in our communities longer.
The Kenomy wilderness trail, Gully Lake and the Trans Canada Trail are examples of
local initiatives also attractive to visitors.
Snowmobile associations throughout Northern Nova Scotia have long established and
maintained trails that have considerable economic benefit. The province of New
Brunswick have packaged their winter tourism efforts around outdoor activities such as
snowmobiling. ATV groups are also organising to formalize and extend trail access for
summer use.
It shall be a policy of Council to;
27.
recognise the importance of trails as a regional recreation
opportunity with eco-tourism and economic benefits.
3.
Natural Parks
Stewiacke River, Nelson and Five Islands Provincial Parks are examples of natural
parks found throughout Rural Colchester. Balmoral Grist Mill, Sutherland steam saw
mill, and Stewiacke Wildlife Park are examples of speciality, educational parks in
Colchester.
Municipal Parkland Strategy
pg. 17
Victoria Park is the principle natural park in central Colchester. Small pockets of natural
areas have been acquired through the 5% dedication usually to protect watercourses
from development. While their acquisition was for protection of the natural environment,
they are too small to be considered nature parks.
There are opportunities within the region for natural park space:
1.
The southern bounds of the community of Salmon River abut the Town of Truro
watershed and access to 1,000 acres of potential passive open space;
2.
JD Irving acquired land along Christie Brook and identified it as a “special place”.
Irving have expressed interest in creating nature trails along the brook for
walking and interpretation;
3.
Flood plain of the Salmon & North Rivers offer a vast open space through the
heart of our community and opportunity for river access recreation from trails,
swimming to fishing and bird watching.
These types of natural parks take advantage of unique features and opportunities. They
tend to be large in area but provide few traditional recreation facilities. As a result they
are considered a valuable bonus facility for the regional community but not calculated
as part of a community’s local park space requirement.
It shall be a policy of Council to:
28.
recognise the importance of natural parks in Colchester particularly
as our suburban communities grow and to work in partnership to
develops new opportunities as they become available.
4.
Recognition of the Importance of General Open Space Within Our
Community
The visual quality of our community has an intangible value that is invaluable. Views of
farmland and healthy forests give the community a sense of good land husbandry and
prosperity. The countryside between villages help to define each community and
contributes to the sense of arrival as one travels through rural Nova Scotia. Quality
visual landscape instills a sense of pride in the residents and enjoyment for our visitors
often subconsciously. While the community’s visual quality can be difficult to articulate
and even more difficult to manage, its benefit cannot be understated.
In central Colchester, the flood plains of the Salmon and North Rivers along with
smaller tributaries play a significant role in providing a greenbelt for perpetuity. The
flood plains help to define our communities, and preserve the traditional agricultural
landscape through the heart of Central Colchester. Considerable in size, the flood
plains are comprised of 2,478 acres and make up 13% of all the land in Central
Colchester including Truro & Bible Hill.
While development is limited on the flood plain, the space does offer recreation
opportunity. Sports fields have been constructed in Truro and Salmon River and a
Municipal Parkland Strategy
pg. 18
community garden has been established. Flood plains are underutilised as recreation
space at this time and consideration should be given to offering residents greater
opportunity to access the natural beauty of the Salmon and North Rivers in a fashion
compatible with traditional activities.
In past years, the 5% parkland provision under the Subdivision By-law has been used
to provide environmental open space along natural features such as watercourses.
When appropriate, this application of the 5% provision should be applied.
It shall be a policy of Council to:
29.
recognise the importance of the visual landscape of Colchester as
part of what makes our community a quality place to live and visit;
30.
encourage communities and individuals to take responsibility for
maintaining and improving the visual landscape of Colchester;
31.
recognise the importance of the flood plain as permanent open
space through central Colchester.
Municipal Parkland Strategy
pg. 19
APPENDIX #1
Council Direction for Parkland Strategy
The following discussion statements were presented to Council for review January 4,
2001. Council agreed with all statements except Discussion statement #7 which
referred to a municipal role in turf maintenance and capital improvements for athletic
fields.
OVERALL STATEMENTS
1. The Municipality should become more involved with parkland in Colchester
County.
•
Recreation Associations & community groups traditionally provide
structured rec services;
•
These groups should remain the backbone of recreation in
Colchester;
•
Groups have limited resources and depend on volunteers;
•
Require assistance to maintain what they have - unable to assume
new responsibilities;
•
The Municipality should become an active partner in providing
parkland service.
2. Of the options, programming, facility maintenance and development, and
facilitation/ support, the Municipality should increase participation in facility
maintenance and development.
•
Difficult for volunteers to do it all - build, maintain and program or coach;
•
Community volunteers should be able to run a program such as soccer or
painting club if there is interest;
•
With limited resources, Associations will not assume responsibility for new park
sites as our communities grow.
PROVISION OF PARKLAND - Neighbourhood Parks
3. There should be a reasonable distribution of Parkland and Trails within
suburban Colchester based on the following guidelines.
•
Suburban communities of Colchester include: Valley, Salmon River, Hilden,
Truro Heights, North River (sewer). Tatamagouche & Brookfield could be
Municipal Parkland Strategy
pg. 20
included;
•
Suggested distribution:
- 2 hectares/ 1,000 population,
- ½ mile radius travel distance,
- equates to 3% of a typical community;
•
Park Size 2acres±. Enough space for:
- playground equipment,
-accommodate unstructured play beyond
backyard;
- buffers from neighbours;
•
Designate school sites as Neighbourhood Parks where appropriate & partner
with School Board;
•
Trail networks important park space:
-create links to destinations such as schools
and parks;
-trail use popular form of fitness
- promotes healthy, active lifestyle for all ages;
-unstructured activity fits all schedules and
ability levels;
DEVELOPMENT & MAINTENANCE
4. Municipality has a responsibility to bring municipally owned park and open
space sites (to be retained) to a minimal maintainable standard and provide
maintenance on an ongoing basis.
5. Park development beyond minimum maintainable standards should be
undertaken in partnership with other stakeholders.
•
Through Subdivision Bylaw, the Municipality holds 40+ park & open space sites;
•
Most municipal sites remain undeveloped;
•
Often the derelict lot of a subdivision - potential liability;
•
The Municipality has obligation to maintain sites at minimum level;
•
Sites, to be retained, should have a development plan prepared based on sites
attributes & community input. Potential use as play or environmental openspace;
•
Improvement to a minimum maintainable standard phased over time based on
resources & priority;
Municipal Parkland Strategy
pg. 21
•
Maintenance program phased in afterward;
•
Capital upgrades should be encouraged through partnership with Community
Associations, School Board, the Municipality etc;
MUNICIPALLY OWNED (5%) SITES
6. The Municipality should adopt policy procedures for the acquisition of new
parkland and disposition of redundant sites.
•
Municipality has obligation to provide reasonable amount of parkland/ play space
for its residents;
•
Important component of Community and a local government responsibility;
•
Subdivision process enables the Municipality to acquire new parkland as
communities grow;
•
Municipality should be prepared to purchase land in areas of demand and little
option to meet through subdivision. (Truro Heights for example);
•
Disposal of park sites requires community consultation and a park strategy
context for the community or neighbourhood;
ATHLETIC SITES
Council did not agree with discussion statement 7.
7. The Municipality should support turf maintenance or capital improvements for
athletic fields.
•
Recreation Associations and other volunteer groups should continue to provide
organized athletics and other recreation programming;
•
The main field sports are soccer and ball;
•
Soccer is provided by a regional Association, ball by local Associations under a
regional umbrella organization;
•
Ball program suffering from a sharp drop in participation. Associations must
consider increased cooperation and reduction in fields;
8. The Municipality should continue to help volunteer groups to meet new
programming needs of the community.
Municipal Parkland Strategy
pg. 22
RURAL COLCHESTER
9. Provision of parkland in Rural Colchester should be driven by local need and
interest.
10. The Municipality should make funds available for capital improvements of
park sites.
•
Large residential lots and low density development - less need for play and park
space;
•
Interest and opportunity varies for each community - impossible to administer
uniform standards;
•
Nelson and Stewiacke Park main rural facilities - serve regional community;
•
Provincial Parks are also available in Rural Colchester and provide unique
opportunities but do not necessarily serve a local need;
•
Trail development popular in rural Colchester - Economy Trail, Trans Canada
Trail, Cross Country ski trail potential?;
•
Each year volunteer groups consider improvements to their park.
•
Funds available from the Municipality can attract other matching funds and
support in-kind efforts of local volunteers.
Municipal Parkland Strategy
pg. 23
APPENDIX #2
Parkland Hierarchy
1.
Tot Tots
Tot Lots tend to be small spaces with limited activity area. Their inability to facilitate
active play of older children limits their usefulness. Because of their size (½ acre
typically) and neighbourhood orientation their distribution is high. Recognised walking
distance to a tot lot would be 1/4 mile or 400 metres.
In Colchester, most residential lots are of sufficient size to allow homeowners to
accommodate tot lot activities in their backyard. Therefore tot lots should only be
considered to address specific needs such as high density areas. Tot lots can also
provide small play areas beyond reasonable distance from larger park space.
Generally, municipal development of tot lots should be discouraged at this time.
2.
Neighbourhood Parks
Neighbourhood parks typically service ½ mile radius and are over 4 acres in size.
Facilities would include play equipment and enough open space for unstructured play.
Ideally there would also be enough space to accommodate future structured sports
requirements such as soccer and ball. As many communities already have athletic field
space through school sites and Association sites this becomes less of an issue.
School sites, where appropriately located, should be incorporated as part of the
community park network. Schools also offer important built facility that can
accommodate indoor recreation activities and act as a community centre. In other
communities, municipalities have invested in new schools to provide better community
use, even during school hours. This type of partnership creates one community facility
that is better equipped and cheaper to construct. Regardless, access to schools is an
important component to facilitating recreation and an agreement should be created
between the School Board and the Municipality.
3.
Community Recreation Parks
The function of Recreation Parks is to provide a diversity of informal, passive and active
recreation opportunities. Such areas should be designed as large multipurpose sites,
preferably with a central focus (e.g. a water feature). Recreation opportunities should
be directed to all age groups with a strong emphasis on family activities. In Rural
Colchester Community Recreation Parks could be a focus for community gatherings
and events.
Community Recreation Parks should be located on large sites throughout the
community, serving all residents in the Municipality. Recreation Parks should be easily
accessible along major transportation routes, and should be properly signed. Users will
typically be individuals or families accessing the site by bicycle or private vehicle for
durations of 3 to 5 hours.
Truro’s Victoria Park would be a good example of a Community Park. Our suburban
communities are not large enough to warrant a single facility of Victoria Park size and
Municipal Parkland Strategy
pg. 24
magnitude. It will remain as a unique regional facility for the enjoyment of all Colchester
residents and visitors alike.
4.
Community Athletic Parks
Although Neighbourhood Parks will accommodate many organized league games and
practices, all organized sports activity with a significant spectator appeal should be
centralized onto Athletics Parks. These parks provide high quality sports fields, together
with the necessary infrastructure to accommodate spectators (i.e. seating, change
rooms, washrooms, parking, concessions, and maintenance buildings).
Athletic Parks are used for periods of 3 to 12 hours at a time by participants and
spectators, and are accessed mainly by private vehicle. Activities include adult and
advanced senior league play, tournaments, major competitions, league finals,
demonstrations and clinics. Facilities should be sufficient quality to host regional and
provincial level tournaments.
The majority of Athletic Fields in Colchester County fit two categories; soccer and ball
fields. Soccer is organized by a Colchester Association and typically use school based
fields. Recent demand has warranted construction of a new site at Park St Truro,
funded through corporate sponsorship. Ball fields are typically created through a special
interest association who also offer the program in each community. These sites are
important facilities within each community and when appropriately located could also
serve as neighbourhood parks. Future sites should be considered on an as needed
basis by the regional community.
5.
Natural Parks
Natural Parks are established as a result of their intrinsic resource value. The main
purpose of such area is to protect unique flora and fauna as well as natural and historic
features. Such areas are ecologically unique and provide a marked contrast to the
developed urban form. They provide opportunities for education, interpretation and
nature study, as well as more rigorous forms of recreation (such as hiking). Users will
typically access these areas by private vehicle or bicycle. Duration of use will often
extend from a half-day to a full day.
Land use and development of such areas should be restricted to providing access to
(and through) the sites and to protect sensitive areas.
6.
Decorative Parks & Garden Areas
Are extensively landscaped areas whose primary function is urban beautification. Their
role is to beautify the community, and to make an impression on the visitor entering the
Municipality, or on the residents of the area. This Strategy does not anticipate either the
demand or opportunity for the Municipality to own a decorative park or garden in the
foreseeable future.
Municipal Parkland Strategy
pg. 25
Local business should be encouraged to develop decorative areas and floral displays
around their buildings and parking areas. The Tulip Festival is a good venue for
promoting community beautification.
7.
Special Purpose Areas
Special purpose areas encompass a broad category of potential activities and facilities.
Such areas may include a BMX track, skate board areas, golf courses, and the like.
Each site is planned on a needs specific basis and should encompass sufficient land to
accommodate the activity, access, parking and a buffer zone in cases where
neighbouring land uses may conflict with the special purpose area.
Special purpose areas may be publicly owned but could also be owned and operated
by non-profit societies or private corporations (in which case the Municipality’s only role
would be related to zoning).
Because each special purpose area must be considered on its own merits, no planning
guidelines or standards are recommended.
8.
Linear Parks, Trails and Equestrian Trails
Linear parks and trails are increasing in popularity and demand. The Cobequid Trail
Network was created to address growing demand in central Colchester and provide a
coordinated network of trails in central Colchester including Truro and Bible Hill. Initial
phases in Bible Hill and Lower Truro have been extremely successful with a growing,
dedicated user base. As park facility, trails offer unstructured activity that benefits all
age groups and families. A properly designed trail network that connects residential
neighbourhoods with parks, schools, work and shops can be incorporated into a healthy
lifestyle for residents.
Linear parks and trails should be comprehensively signed to provide information,
direction and interpretation. Rest stops, with comfort stations, a bicycle stand, benches
and garbage cans should be strategically located along the trail system. This will
accommodate trail users who are touring for one-half to a full day.
Equestrian
Colchester has a strong association with equestrian trail riding. The eastern portion of
Central Colchester has two commercial stables and a pony club that emphasis trail
riding. Properly facilitated and promoted, trail riding offers an eco-tourism opportunity
that would economically benefit the community.
Municipal Parkland Strategy
pg. 26
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