Residents got a chance to shape the future of Innisfil Beach Park Wednesday during an open house hosted by the town. It featured alternative park concepts posted on display boards for the public’s comment and consideration.
"The site concepts reflect what we’ve heard throughout the engagement process, and resident input on the design is so important to help us shape this truly remarkable park on the shores of Lake Simcoe," said Mayor Lynn Dollin.
The Innisfil Beach Park Master Plan (IBPMP) is “a long-term vision for the revitalization of Innisfil’s largest urban park," which was approved by council in June 2020.
Using sticky notes to post their comments and red stickers to mark their favourite concept, attendees expressed the importance of having their say.
“Innisfil Beach Park is really the gem of Innisfil," said resident Dana Stott. "As one of the centrepieces of Innisfil, I think it's important to look at the future of it and decide what it's going to look like for the next generation... you can’t have a say if you don't come out to these things.”
Every sticker counted as a vote, as did the online survey that was available in Nov. 2022, when 281 residents made their choice known. People who filled in the survey and the attendees of the open house were given the opportunity to enter a draw for a chance to win a $150 gift card to a local business of their choice.
Innisfil resident Joel Ayala Alvarado appreciated the opportunity to vote.
“Having us walk around the room to see the different modifications that were in mind, letting us vote towards the concept is also a very interesting idea," said Ayala Alvarado. "I feel like it's going to be a significant change. My kids will also grow up in this area and they're going to be benefiting from the change that's coming.”
Chris Trevisan, Parks & Community Spaces Operations Manager for the Town of Innisfil, said that the open house was a chance to get some good engagement and see what the community directive is.
"We’re happy to start getting some direction and start (moving) this forward," he said.
After professionals involved in the Innisfil Beach Park Master Plan receive insight into the community and council's preferred vision for the park, a recommended concept will be made in more detail.
"That will be used to develop a series of projects over a two-decade period that will be approved as part of various capital budgets over time,” said Carolina Cautillo, Capital Planning Engineer Associate for the Town of Innisfil. “It's a really exciting project and we really encourage people to participate… it's an opportunity to determine what this park is going to look like for literally decades to come and the best way to make it useful for everybody in the community.”
To learn more about the Innisfil Beach Park Master Plan (IBPMP), check out the Get Involved Innisfil website.
Amber Green is a freelance journalist for Village Media Inc.
