2026 Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan

Cover of the Master PlanThe Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan helps guide future decisions about parks, recreational facilities, programs and cultural services across the Township.

As the community continues to grow and change, the Master Plan:

  • Identifies current and future needs for parks, recreation and culture
  • Helps set priorities for new facilities, programs and investments
  • Supports community well‑being and quality of life

View the Document

The plan, created in 2026, provides a detailed list of our objectives.

Guiding Principles for Service Delivery

  1. Provide equitable public access.
  2. Ensure accessibility and inclusion.
  3. Strive to achieve long-term continuity and adaptability.
  4. Aim for long-term sustainability by balancing social, economic, and environmental outcomes.
  5. Prioritize engagement and participation of residents.
  6. Foster strong collaboration and partnerships with local organizations.

Master Plan Priorities

Indoor Facilities
  1. Continue preparations to open the Recreation Complex
  2. Use the findings of this Master Plan as input into facility space planning activities
  3. Address community demand for indoor court space
  4. Address community demand for multipurpose and cultural space
  5. Consider options for developing a fitness centre
  6. Consider third party development and operation of future pickleball courts
  7. Provide space for art in Township buildings and public spaces
  8. Consider developing an additional indoor turf facility in the medium to long term.

Outdoor Facilities
  1. Develop an updated site plan for the lands adjacent to the Recreation Complex
  2. Strengthen tools for parks acquisition and development
  3. Enhance the trail network
  4. Improve playgrounds
  5. Build a snow sledding hill at the Recreation Complex
  6. Investigate the potential for a new nature park
  7. Explore opportunities for future improvements to recreation facilities in Marionville
  8. Trial continued seasonal operation of the Russell Centennial Pool
  9. Build new ball diamonds in the medium to long term

  10. Build new sports fields in the medium to long term

  11. Re-assess the need for additional outdoor multi-sport courts in the medium-long term

  12. Consider replacing the skate parks in Russell and Embrun with an expanded modern facility

  13. Develop a strategy to improve public access to the Castor River

  14. Explore the development of an outdoor festival and event space

Programming
  1. Enhance programming for children and youth
  2. Increase fitness and wellness programming and review scheduling
  3. Support more programs for people with disabilities and special needs
  4. Provide assistance to local groups delivering events
  5. Address increasingly diverse needs

Service Delivery
  1. Assign Master Plan implementation responsibilities
  2. Continue the process of upgrading program registration Software
  3. Consider adopting a capital project evaluation criteria and process
  4. Improve communication with residents about recreation offerings
  5. Investigate facility accessibility and consider improvements
  6. Consider climate change related risks in facility planning and design
  7. Review and update the Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan

Recommendations

You can consult the complete document to familiarize yourself with the recommendations.

The following actions have been identified as the top priorities of the master plan. They are in addition to the Township’s ongoing preparations to open the Recreation Complex. Top 10 actions are listed in a recommended order of priority.

Top 10 Actions
  1. Use the findings of this Master Plan as input toward the Township’s facility space planning activities. It is recommended to assess the feasibility of repurposing the Russell Arena for other recreation uses and enhance the functionality of Camille Piché Hall as a multipurpose and cultural programming space.
  2. Develop an updated site plan for the lands adjacent to the Recreation Complex.
  3. Strengthen tools for parkland acquisition and development, including adopting acquisition and design guidelines for parks, and updating the Township’s Park Development Policy.
  4. Address community demand for indoor court space.
  5. Address community demand for multipurpose and cultural space.
  6. Consider options for developing a fitness centre.
  7. Enhance and extend the trail network.
  8. Consider third party development and operation of future pickleball courts.
  9. Enhance programming for children and youth.
  10. Increase fitness and wellness programming and review scheduling.