Regional Parks Strategic Plan
Regional Parks is preparing to develop a new strategic plan that will set the direction for the regional parks and trails system over the next decade.
This new plan will define the long-term ‘big picture’ framework for our regional parks and trails. Citizen involvement is essential in preparing this plan, which involves a comprehensive public participation component.
Citizen Advisory Panel
A Citizen Advisory Panel has been set up to help prepare the Strategic Plan. The 17-member panel includes women, men and students from throughout the district, and represents a wide age range of people with diverse interests in and knowledge of regional parks. Panel members will play an essential role in engaging the public to ensure ideas, opinions, values and issues are known and considered. They will also help prepare the strategic plan and, ultimately, recommend a plan to the committee.
Get Involved - Community Engagement
Regional parks and trails mean so much to the citizens of this region. That is why we are engaging citizens, First Nations, governments, CRD Directors and Regional Parks volunteers and staff in the process to prepare the Strategic Plan.
A series of community engagement sessions were held throughout the Capital Regional
District in May. The format included facilitators to gather information on key park
themes from a series of small groups. Sessions were held in Juan de Fuca, the Saanich Peninsula, Salt Spring Island, Sooke, Victoria and the West Shore.
Thanks to all who attended the community dialogues and filled out the response form to tell us your ideas for the future of regional parks and trails. The information you provided will be used by the Citizen Advisory Panel in collaboration with Regional Parks to help prepare a draft strategic plan. In the fall, we will report back on what you told us.
Attend a Meeting or Address the Citizen Advisory Panel
The public is welcome to attend meetings of the Citizen Advisory Panel. The panel meets from 7 – 9:30pm at the Ambrosia Conference Centre located at 638 Fisgard Street .
As a member of the public you are also welcome to address a meeting of the panel. You can make a request by calling 250.360.3338 or 
email. Requests must be received no later than five calendar days prior to the meeting. Presentations are limited to five minutes unless a longer period is agreed to by unanimous vote of those members present.
Background
In 2000, the CRD Board adopted a ten-year Regional Parks Master Plan, now called the Strategic Plan. It had a major influence on Regional Parks and guided the establishment of the Land Acquisition Fund, which led to 2,958 hectares of new parkland valued at $30.4 million. The plan helped direct the stewardship of natural areas and connect people to the land. The new Strategic Plan for will set the course for 2010-2019.
- Regional Parks Master Plan (PDF
)
The Regional Parks system in has been built over the past 43 years. Today, it encompasses 11,500 hectares of land in 28 regional parks and 88.5 kilometres of contiguous regional trails.
Resources
- Strategic Plan Newsletter Spring 2010 (PDF )
- Community Dialogue Session Dates and Format (PDF )
- Media Release: Help Shape the Future of Your CRD Regional Parks and Trails
- Media Release: CRD Board Approves Appointments To Regional Parks Strategic Plan Citizen Advisory Panel
- Media Release: CRD to Develop New Regional Parks & Trails Strategic Plan Guided by Citizen Advisory Panel
- Strategic Plan Terms of Reference (PDF )
- Citizen Advisory Panel Terms of Reference (PDF )
- 2000-2009 Strategic Plan (PDF ) - also known as the Master Plan
- Map of Regional Parks and Trails, and Protected Areas (PDF )
- Map of Regional Parks and Trails, Protected Areas and Provincial Sites (PDF ) new
For more information email Regional Parks or contact 250.478.3344.
© Image courtesy of John Luton
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