Skip to content

City wants your input

What does the perfect park look like in your mind?
michael-tocher
Michael Tocher of thinc design Landscape Architects. Bob Liddycoat / Thorold News

What would you like to see appear in Thorold's parks and along its trails?

Whether you’re a parent who takes your children on weekly outings in Thorold playgrounds, a retiree who walks your dog along nearby trails each day, or a member of an arts group that performs occasionally at park events and festivals, the city wants to hear from you.

In conjunction with consultants 'thinc design,' Landscape Architects, the city is preparing a Park, Trails and Recreation Master Plan that will guide future planning for indoor and outdoor recreation facilities, programs and activities as well as the development and management of parks, trails, and green space that is owned or managed by the city of Thorold.

As part of the study, staff is conducting a number of focus groups for specific ages and interests to identify and discuss residents’ interests in Thorold’s park and recreation services.

Michael Tocher of thinc design held an open house among stakeholders last week and told the ThoroldNews, "This is the third go-round of information gathering."

They had earlier met with staff and council and are now looking for input from stakeholders.

"We are gathering information at this point, but our focus will be on an online survey," he said.

The city is about to launch a new website as well and that survey will be posted at www.thorold.com in the near future.

Tocher said their goal is ultimately to update a 2010 Park, Trails and Recreation Master Plan.

"Everything is on the table at this point," he said. 

He's inviting user groups and individiuals to provide valuable input on trails, parks, recreation programs, "whatever is top of mind for you."

According to the city’s Recreation Coordinator, Ginger Derochie, “We are interested in hearing from different age groups and various interest groups. We look forward to hearing your views on the future need for parks, trails and recreation facilities and programs.”

Anyone wishing to participate in one of the focus groups listed through the link below is asked to contact Derochie at 905-227-6613, ext. 231 or by email at [email protected] by 4 p.m. on Monday, March 18.

The focus group schedule is available online here.

Derochie will also be available to answer questions or concerns about the project, and added: “If you are not interested in participating in a focus group, but would still like to share your views, all residents are invited to attend a community Open House for the Master Plan on March 20 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., in Council Chambers.”

(With notes from Bob Liddycoat)


Reader Feedback

Cathy Pelletier

About the Author: Cathy Pelletier

Cathy Pelletier is an award-winning newspaper journalist/editor who writes for ThoroldNews.com
Read more