Frequently Asked Questions
Parks & Recreation
1. What is the Community Development Program?
2. What is the Partners in Parks Program?
3. What do I do if I would like to coordinate a special event in St. Albert?
4. What is the Share the Trail Program?
1. What is the Community Development Program?
Historically, the Community Services Department, Recreation Division has allocated a large percentage of its' resources towards direct program and service delivery. The trend in the field of recreation now is towards a model that promotes community development. What this means is the Recreation Division focuses much more of its' resources on assisting community groups and individuals in promoting their organization; or "helping them do a better job at what they do." Community Development is a process in which community members collaborate in an effort to achieve what they consider to be the well-being of their community. This definition is from Alberta Community Development, and fits within the Vision Statement of the Recreation Division as listed below. It states that services provided should collectively enhance the well-being of the community, and where possible there should be a partnership in provision of those services.
Development of a comprehensive community development plan was identified as an issue in the recently-completed Leisure Services Report and as an issue in the 1994-1996 Division strategic plan.
Mandate - The Leisure Services Report states, "A municipality should use public leisure services as a vehicle in meeting socially worthwhile goals and objectives, the attainment of which clearly results in some form of benefit to all residents of the community."
Vision - The Recreation Division Vision Statement is as follows: The Recreation Services team will strive to work in partnership with the community to provide exceptional recreational services and programs which foster a strong community identity and enhance personal well-being. Our task is to work towards achieving our vision by providing services so we may collectively enhance the well-being of the community.
Goals - Assist the community in enhancing recreation opportunities in St. Albert. Support community groups in an effort to achieve their own goals. Foster collaborative and partnership opportunities in St. Albert.
Target Groups - Primary target groups who may access the services provided must be St. Albert-based non-profit groups, registered under the provincial societies act. Secondary target groups will become involved when there is a direct benefit to a primary target group.
2. What is the Partners in Parks Program?
The Partners In Parks Program offers community groups and individuals an opportunity to work with the City of St. Albert to enhance and maintain the beauty of our neighbourhoods, parks and green spaces. Partners may adopt any park or green space in St. Albert - boulevards, islands, natural areas, playgrounds or a part of the Red Willow Park trail system.
Partners may volunteer their time to cut grass, plant and/or maintain shrubs and flower beds, collect litter or sponsor the maintenance of a specific park site or green space through the donation of funds.
If you are interested in becoming involved in the Partners In Parks program please contact the City's Community and Protective Services at 780-418-6005. A representative from the City will meet with you to identify a site, establish a schedule, offer advice and provide guidance to get you on your way.
3. How can I coordinate a special event in St. Albert?
A special event is any event presented by an organization in St. Albert, whose purpose is to attract participants. The goal(s) of the event may include some or all of the following:
- To fulfill social responsibilities;
- To provide community entertainment;
- To celebrate a certain event or date.
Approximately 40 special events take place annually in St. Albert, including charity events, parades, walks, events involving fireworks, road races, triathlons and major events in parks. In most cases, these events require services and assistance from more than one city department. The Community Recreation Coordinator's role is to provide 'one-stop shopping' to allow for the orderly processing of these requests from various City departments. If you would like to present a special event, contact the Community Recreation Coordinator (CRC) at 780-459-1595.
Exclusions
The following events and activities are normally not allowed on City streets or within the City's park system:
- Commercial activities.
- Events that require participants to camp out overnight in city parks.
- The sale of alcoholic beverages (except where a not-for-profit organization has a lease with the City that contains an alcohol consumption clause).
- Events that contravene the city's noise bylaw or parks bylaw.
For events taking place in City-owned facilities (ball diamonds, soccer fields or arenas) such as tournaments or regional playoffs, contact the Facilities Scheduling Coordinator at 780-459-1575.
For events taking place at any aquatic facility (Fountain Park Recreation Centre, Grosvenor Pool, Woodlands Waterpark), contact the Aquatic Operations Supervisor at 780-459-1553.
4. What is the Share the Trail Program?
The Share the Trail Program consists of a number of 'checkstop' sessions, focusing on education, trail etiquette and safety for all trail users. Staff in attendance at the Share the Trail program include two RCMP constables (bell installation assistance, Capital Health Authority, St. Albert Branch (helmet safety information) and Community Services staff (general information and program administration).
To cycle correctly this summer:
- Wear a helmet that fits properly and is safety approved.
- Parents, insist on this rule: NO HELMET, NO BIKE!
Follow these basic rules of the road:
- Stop before riding into traffic from a roadway, driveway, sidewalk, alley or parking lot.
- Look left, right and left again before entering traffic.
- Obey all signs and signals. Walk your bike across the street; in a designated crossing area.
- Stay on the right hand side of the road, and always ride single file in the same direction as traffic.
- Always use your hand signals. To turn left, extend your left arm straight out.
- To turn right, extend your left arm out and bend your arm upward at the elbow.
- To stop, extend your left arm out and bend your arm downward at the elbow.
- Make sure your bike is the right size and is in good working condition.
- To help motorists see you better, wear bright and reflective gear.
- Your bike should have front, rear and pedal reflectors, and a bell or horn.
- Do not bicycle after dark or in bad weather.
3. What do I do if I would like to coordinate a special event in St. Albert?
4. What is the Share the Trail Program?
1. What is the Community Development Program?
Historically, the Community Services Department, Recreation Division has allocated a large percentage of its' resources towards direct program and service delivery. The trend in the field of recreation now is towards a model that promotes community development. What this means is the Recreation Division focuses much more of its' resources on assisting community groups and individuals in promoting their organization; or "helping them do a better job at what they do." Community Development is a process in which community members collaborate in an effort to achieve what they consider to be the well-being of their community. This definition is from Alberta Community Development, and fits within the Vision Statement of the Recreation Division as listed below. It states that services provided should collectively enhance the well-being of the community, and where possible there should be a partnership in provision of those services.
Development of a comprehensive community development plan was identified as an issue in the recently-completed Leisure Services Report and as an issue in the 1994-1996 Division strategic plan.
Mandate - The Leisure Services Report states, "A municipality should use public leisure services as a vehicle in meeting socially worthwhile goals and objectives, the attainment of which clearly results in some form of benefit to all residents of the community."
Vision - The Recreation Division Vision Statement is as follows: The Recreation Services team will strive to work in partnership with the community to provide exceptional recreational services and programs which foster a strong community identity and enhance personal well-being. Our task is to work towards achieving our vision by providing services so we may collectively enhance the well-being of the community.
Goals - Assist the community in enhancing recreation opportunities in St. Albert. Support community groups in an effort to achieve their own goals. Foster collaborative and partnership opportunities in St. Albert.
Target Groups - Primary target groups who may access the services provided must be St. Albert-based non-profit groups, registered under the provincial societies act. Secondary target groups will become involved when there is a direct benefit to a primary target group.
2. What is the Partners in Parks Program?
The Partners In Parks Program offers community groups and individuals an opportunity to work with the City of St. Albert to enhance and maintain the beauty of our neighbourhoods, parks and green spaces. Partners may adopt any park or green space in St. Albert - boulevards, islands, natural areas, playgrounds or a part of the Red Willow Park trail system.
Partners may volunteer their time to cut grass, plant and/or maintain shrubs and flower beds, collect litter or sponsor the maintenance of a specific park site or green space through the donation of funds.
If you are interested in becoming involved in the Partners In Parks program please contact the City's Community and Protective Services at 780-418-6005. A representative from the City will meet with you to identify a site, establish a schedule, offer advice and provide guidance to get you on your way.
3. How can I coordinate a special event in St. Albert?
A special event is any event presented by an organization in St. Albert, whose purpose is to attract participants. The goal(s) of the event may include some or all of the following:
- To fulfill social responsibilities;
- To provide community entertainment;
- To celebrate a certain event or date.
Approximately 40 special events take place annually in St. Albert, including charity events, parades, walks, events involving fireworks, road races, triathlons and major events in parks. In most cases, these events require services and assistance from more than one city department. The Community Recreation Coordinator's role is to provide 'one-stop shopping' to allow for the orderly processing of these requests from various City departments. If you would like to present a special event, contact the Community Recreation Coordinator (CRC) at 780-459-1595.
Exclusions
The following events and activities are normally not allowed on City streets or within the City's park system:
- Commercial activities.
- Events that require participants to camp out overnight in city parks.
- The sale of alcoholic beverages (except where a not-for-profit organization has a lease with the City that contains an alcohol consumption clause).
- Events that contravene the city's noise bylaw or parks bylaw.
For events taking place in City-owned facilities (ball diamonds, soccer fields or arenas) such as tournaments or regional playoffs, contact the Facilities Scheduling Coordinator at 780-459-1575.
For events taking place at any aquatic facility (Fountain Park Recreation Centre, Grosvenor Pool, Woodlands Waterpark), contact the Aquatic Operations Supervisor at 780-459-1553.
4. What is the Share the Trail Program?
The Share the Trail Program consists of a number of 'checkstop' sessions, focusing on education, trail etiquette and safety for all trail users. Staff in attendance at the Share the Trail program include two RCMP constables (bell installation assistance, Capital Health Authority, St. Albert Branch (helmet safety information) and Community Services staff (general information and program administration).
To cycle correctly this summer:
- Wear a helmet that fits properly and is safety approved.
- Parents, insist on this rule: NO HELMET, NO BIKE!
Follow these basic rules of the road:
- Stop before riding into traffic from a roadway, driveway, sidewalk, alley or parking lot.
- Look left, right and left again before entering traffic.
- Obey all signs and signals. Walk your bike across the street; in a designated crossing area.
- Stay on the right hand side of the road, and always ride single file in the same direction as traffic.
- Always use your hand signals. To turn left, extend your left arm straight out.
- To turn right, extend your left arm out and bend your arm upward at the elbow.
- To stop, extend your left arm out and bend your arm downward at the elbow.
- Make sure your bike is the right size and is in good working condition.
- To help motorists see you better, wear bright and reflective gear.
- Your bike should have front, rear and pedal reflectors, and a bell or horn.
- Do not bicycle after dark or in bad weather.
