Potential Park Project in the Works for Vernon

Talks have begun on the City of Vernon Master Parks Plan as of Monday, November 10th. The City of Vernon Mayor and council were presented with a draft of the Master Parks Plan, and approved the next step in the draft plan's consultation process. The upcoming community consultation over the next number of months will focus on the draft project list and associated funding.

Photo Credit: City of Vernon Contributed

Vernon's Parks Master Plan process was initiated as a top council priority in February 2014. The goal of the Parks Master Plan is to develop a vision for the City's parks and trails system that can be achieved, sustained, and managed responsibly.

In order to develop this vision, the City facilitated an extensive public and stakeholder engagement process during the spring and summer of 2014. Over 2,500 residents participated and provided their opinions for the draft, which was then reviewed by the City council on Monday.

The plan includes recommendations for future park land acquisition priorities, park improvement projects, new park development, and trail development. In addition, there is a playground structure replacement plan that is scheduled to be implemented over a ten year period.

Photo Credit: City of Vernon Contributed

A detailed implementation strategy and funding sources are included in the draft plan and can be accessed at the Vernon Parks website.

As originally discussed, the implementation of the draft plan would cost approximately $12 million over the next ten years. Over half of the funding would be acquired via development cost charges, outside contributions, and other funding sources.

Around $3.5 million of the $12 million is proposed to be spent on improvements to Polson Park. Should the development committee garner support from the community and council, then some $5.4 million over the next ten years would likely require funding through taxation.

For more information on the draft Parks Master Plan, contact Kendra Kryszak, Parks Planner at 250-550-3518 or visit their website.

Photo Credit: City of Vernon Contributed