City of Courtenay Official Community Plan - 2026 update

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The parks, trails and recreational system of programs and indoor and outdoor facilities is at its heart an opportunity for connectivity, whether that be to each other, the natural world, K’ómoks First Nation history and practices, in how we get around, or through the ecosystems across the city and region. Providing equitable access to these green and public places will support physical and mental well-being for residents of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Parks and recreation are a strategic community asset through which to welcome in and practice with the wider community the core directions of the OCP: reconciliation, climate action, equity, and community well-being. Connecting these public recreational spaces through trails and greenways will also advance the goal of more functional transportation choices throughout the city. By seamlessly connecting both the road and greenway network, these linear corridors will be an important – and delightful – transportation network for a low-carbon future: green, convenient, accessible, affordable, active and beautiful ways to travel through and across neighbourhoods on foot and an on wheels. Parks and greenways also provide a significant contribution to Courtenay’s wider green infrastructure network that includes Environmentally Sensitive Areas , the urban forest, and engineered rain gardens and wetlands. Accessible spaces within walking distance MEETING OUR GOALS THROUGH PARKS AND RECREATION

for social connection and play, retreating into nature, and incorporating green infrastructure will be essential as the city and neighbourhoods grow and intensify. Inherently diverse, parks and recreational facilities provide for distinctive place making and place keeping opportunities that make Courtenay special. As the City continues to urbanize in accommodating for the growing population, it is important to recognize the significance of park land and open space provision to ensure a complete community fabric. Higher density housing forms generally contain less private open space per dwelling unit, resulting in additional need for public space to support gathering, access to nature and recreation. With limited land supply available to be acquired for parkland, the quality, programming and accessibility of parkland for recreational activities increases in importance. This includes maximizing accessibility to parks by improving sidewalk connectivity, accounting for slopes and removal of other obstructions. This is particularly important in the case of accommodating for and catering to a population of all ages and ensuring that there is sufficient active and passive recreational space. OCP policies focus on improving park amenity standards, shifting the form of open space to meet more urbanized needs, emphasizing the opportunity for placemaking practices, and integrating amenities into the urban fabric to support livability, equity, and complete communities.

City of Courtenay Official Community Plan