11.2 Parks, Open Spaces and Trails

Principle

Ensure all residents have convenient access to a park system that is connected, accessible, safe, and responsive to the diverse needs of the community.

Photo: Carol Boyce

St. Albert’s celebrated parks, open spaces, and trails make it one of the most attractive cities in Canada. These valuable assets enhance a sense of community well-being, providing opportunities for relaxation, recreation, and connection. The planning of parks, open spaces, and trails is a vital city-building element as new Neighbourhoods are built, and existing Neighbourhoods evolve. The following policies ensure that the city’s parks support a high quality of life and meet the needs of residents of different ages, abilities, and cultural backgrounds.

Policies

11.2.1.

Identify standards for parkland and recreational amenities that respond to changing community needs, through complementary plans and strategies.

11.2.2.

Ensure municipal parks or other public open space are located within 400 metres of residences.

11.2.3.

Support highly visible, accessible new parks by maximizing appropriate frontage through a public street or other public open space.

11.2.4.

Identify and demonstrate community need when considering the development and redevelopment of recreation facilities and parks.

11.2.5.

Design, develop, and provide programming that addresses the needs of a diverse range of park users in all seasons.

11.2.6.

Design recreation facilities and parks that are attractive, enduring, and memorable.

11.2.7.

Incorporate design principles that contribute to the development of safe and comfortable parks, public open spaces, and trails for all users.

11.2.8.

Facilitate and implement connections to the City’s trail system when new development and redevelopment occurs.

11.2.9.

Facilitate open space and trail linkages between parks and natural features.

11.2.10.

Maintain and enhance the Red Willow Park Corridor, as defined by the Red Willow Urban Park Master Plan (as amended), as a Major Open Space amenity for St. Albert by:

Implementing the Red Willow Urban Park Master Plan and West update (2018) and periodically reviewing and updating it to respond to new opportunities and challenges;
Using the dedication of Environmental, Conservation, and Municipal Reserves, where appropriate, or purchasing land to extend Red Willow Park;
Protecting and interpreting geological, cultural, historical, and archaeological sites of value;
Planning the extension of Red Willow Park and Red Willow Park West; and
Requiring lot lines to be set back from the top of the bank of Carrot Creek, to accommodate the extension of Red Willow Park.

11.2.11.

Identify and secure appropriate land in the northwest quadrant of the city to develop a park of city-wide significance that meets identified city and regional needs, as applicable, through a complementary plan.

11.2.12.

Evaluate the possibility of purchasing lands for park purposes above and beyond requirements outlined in the Municipal Government Act, as deemed necessary by the City.

11.2.13.

Encourage the provision of outdoor recreational space in private developments, for institutional, residential, and employment uses, as a complement to City parks.