The City of St. John’s has released a What We Heard report summarizing findings from public engagement which took place recently to inform the development of a new Recreation Master Plan. Once complete, the plan will shape the future of recreation facilities, spaces and programs for the next ten years.

The Recreation Master Plan will be an innovative and progressive roadmap to guide current and future investment in recreation opportunities for all ages and abilities. The plan will provide a long-term foundation for planning and decision-making, along with actionable recommendations that will build on the City’s current strengths in the provision of recreation facilities, programs, and services for all residents.

The What We Heard document will be shared at the Council Meeting on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.

Highlights of What We Heard include:

• Participants highly value recreation services and desire more neighborhood-level facilities and services.
• Ensuring affordability should be a focus on future planning, along with enhancing accessibility and inclusive opportunities.
• The most popular indoor activities include swimming, walking, fitness training, and fitness classes.
• Outdoor activities favored by participants include hiking/walking, gardening, and swimming.
• Participants believe working with community partners, including sport and recreation organizations, schools and educational institutions, and health and social organizations, was important.
• Inconvenient programming times, lack of information sharing and awareness, transportation and programs not being offered in desired neighborhoods were identified as barriers to participation.

Promotional efforts resulted in 1,670 visits to the project page on EngageStJohns.ca. Participants could provide feedback and ask questions on the project page, participate in a meeting or pop-up event or take a survey. In total, over 1,700 people provided feedback through either surveys, the project page, email, phone, pop-up events or meetings. Representatives from community groups and City committees and working groups were also consulted.

The City has a strategic direction to be a Connected City where people feel connected, have a sense of belonging and are actively engaged in community life. Developing and delivering programs, services and public spaces that build safe, healthy and vibrant communities is key to advancing this direction.