What We Heard Documents Released for Four Projects
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Back to SearchThe City of St. John’s has released What We Heard reports for four public engagement processes which took place between May to November 2023: Age-Friendly City, Cowan Park Tennis to Pickleball Court Conversion, Disc Golf Proposal for McNiven Place in Airport Heights and the Downtown Neighbourhood Plan. The documents will be shared with Council at the December 5 Committee of the Whole meeting and are available at EngageStJohns.ca.
Age-Friendly City
The City received a designation from the World Health Organization as an Age-Friendly City in 2019. This engagement effort focused on what it means to be an age-friendly city. Throughout the engagement process information was provided on current city programs and services and feedback gathered about seniors’ experiences and expectations. In total, there were 82 submissions on EngageStJohns.ca and 166 people attended in-person events. Additionally, feedback was received through a booth set-up at Seniors’ Day, which was attended by approximately 200 people.
Feedback was gathered on all eight domains of Age Friendly Cities: outdoor spaces and buildings, transportation, housing, social participation, respect and inclusion, civic participation and employment, communication and information, and community support and health services. Key findings of the engagement note that increased cost of living is putting a strain on seniors, transportation is challenging, affordable and accessible housing is a pressing concern, and seniors want to stay active year-round on safe streets.
Cowan Park Tennis to Pickleball Court Conversion
Engagement occurred to determine whether there was support to convert the existing two tennis courts in Cowan Park to six pickleball courts, and determine any concerns or issues with a conversion. Nearly 300 people provided feedback through EngageStJohns.ca, or by email or phone.
Engagement indicated an overwhelming support and need for pickleball courts in the City with most of the feedback supporting the conversion. Those living closer to the court location were less supportive for a variety of reasons including noise from the balls used, lack of parking in the area and loss of the tennis courts.
Disc Golf Proposal for McNiven Place in Airport Heights
The City received a development application for an 18-hole disc golf course at the top of McNiven Place in Airport Heights. Engagement focused on how this informal space is currently used by the community in an effort to determine how all users can effectively and safely use the space should the proposal move forward. Disc Golf is a permitted use within the zone and feedback gathered will inform staff’s recommendation on the development. In total, 87 people provided feedback through EngageStJohns.ca, or by email or phone. Twenty people attended an open house.
Feedback gathered indicated that the space is currently used for a variety of activities and there are some concerns for implications on the wetlands in the area and a nearby ice skating/frog pond. Residents on McNiven Place expressed concern about traffic and speed on the street as well as the overall condition of the street. More than half of the residents in Airport Heights who completed the online survey were comfortable with the proposed changes, while those who live on McNiven Place were not. About 70 per cent of residents who provided feedback through the online survey who did not live in Airport Heights were comfortable with the proposed plan.
Downtown Neighbourhood Plan
Engagement for this project focused on gathering information on what is currently working downtown, what needs to be improved and what residents and business owners would like to see in the area. In total,144 people provided feedback through the EngageStJohns.ca, surveys, email or by phone. Consultation also included a pop-up event downtown and meetings (in-person and virtual) with residents, key stakeholders and City Advisory Committees.
Feedback suggested that downtown has a lot to offer with its local shops and businesses, unique buildings and sense of community and place, however several challenges were also identified. There is a perception that downtown lacks security, accessibility, affordable housing, childcare options and convenient parking. Participants shared a desire to see an inclusive, vibrant, accessible, multi-modal downtown with more public spaces in the future. This feedback will assist in the creation of land use policies in the Downtown Neighbourhood Plan, to be drafted and released in 2024.
To read all the details of each report, visit the project pages or click the links to the what we heard reports below.
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