Parks and Recreation Master Plan

The City of Kenora has developed a Parks and Recreation Master Plan to ensure you have access to recreation opportunities now and into the future. The Parks and Recreation Master Plan aims to enhance the places, spaces, and services you can access to be active, to play, and be with others doing activities that are important to your quality of life.

Parks and Recreation Master Plan

Learn about our guiding principles and plan outcomes that shape our decision-making and investments in recreation and parks for the next 10 years.

Guiding principles

1. Equity and Inclusion - Parks and recreation opportunities are available to all, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or socio-economic status.
2. Accessibility - Barriers to participate in parks and recreation opportunities are minimized, be they physical, skill, or awareness related.
3. Affordability - Publicly funded parks and recreation opportunities will be affordable, with some being free to access.
4. Viability -The City will work to optimize the use of parks and recreation spaces, balancing financial requirements (user fees) and social benefit (individual and community).
5. Reconciliation - Parks and recreation opportunities support Truth and Reconciliation and are a medium through which understanding and healing can be advanced.
6. Collaboration -  The City will work with partners such as community groups and associations, user groups, and other communities to leverage collective investments in parks and recreation to achieve common goals.
7. Climate Action - Parks and recreation services will be offered in ways that minimize carbon footprints and respect and protect biodiversity and the environment.
8. Leadership - The City embraces its leadership role in the provision of parks and recreation, influencing the strategic direction of all stakeholders building capacity in the service delivery system where possible.

Plan outcomes

Organization

• Investment or reinvestment in facilities and parks is prudent and supported by a business case that responds to prioritized needs.
• External funding sources are leveraged to offset capital costs for redeveloping and enhancing recreation facilities and parks.
• Operational policies and practices should demonstrate equity and aim to accommodate the unique needs of participants and organizations involved in the delivery of recreation and sport programs.
• Community-driven sport and recreation programs and services must continue to thrive.

Participants

• Participants develop fundamental activity skills as well as some advanced activity skills in some pursuits.
• Participants remain active and engaged in healthy recreational activity for life.
• Participants are healthier – physically, mentally, spiritually, and socially.
• Participants have a deeper connection with nature and support environmental sustainability initiatives.
• Participants have opportunity to build relationships with other athletes through competitive sport and recreation activities.

Community

• People and businesses choose Kenora for quality of life.
• Kenora celebrates together, and often.
• Residents are physically active year-round – inside and outside.
• Kenora’s athletes, teams, coaches, volunteers, facilities, and fields are a source of community pride.