Monday, March 28, 2022

City of Prince Rupert's latest RFP to seek development of Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Plan

One of the many maps highlighting future use of land in Prince Rupert
as part of the Prince Rupert 2030 Vision plan
(From City of PR website)

The city is looking towards the future and the prospect of a growing population with an eye on consideration as to how the city's parks and open spaces should develop.

It's a theme that had somewhat of a genesis as part of the 2030 Prince Rupert 2030 vision plan, which was presented at the Lester Centre in December of 2019. With the city looking to continue forward with the themes explored at that time.

The work ahead has been listed on the BC Bid Website with a call for proposals to assist the city in what they have in mind for expanding on park space.

From the introduction to the call for proposals, the City's pitch looks like this:

The City of Prince Rupert is seeking proposals from qualified proponents for the provision of services to develop a Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Plan. 

Given the anticipated increase in population growth, the Official Community Plan committed to the development of a full parks and open space plan to accurately gauge and respond to the local demand and need for parkland and recreation facilities in Prince Rupert as it grows and to explore establishing a 'flagship' park. 

This Plan is intended to be a response to this commitment.

Towards the plans objectives, the City is looking for the following:

Promote access to nature and viewpoints for people of all abilities (including those in wheelchairs, strollers and walkers). 

Plan parks and open spaces to serve a variety of users and increase interconnections between different areas of the community. 

Recognize and celebrate local First Nations' territories and Peoples. 

Ensure an active or passive park is located within a ten-minute walk of all residences. 

Support climate change mitigation and biodiversity through providing park infrastructure with a smaller ecological footprint and maintaining "free" ecological services such as carbon sequestration and wetland filtration. 

Establish a "flagship park" in Prince Rupert. 

Prince Rupert's recreational facilities are well maintained and attractive.  

Coordinate parks and recreation planning with the City's Active Transportation Plan currently being developed.

The planning initiative will also be in place to support the 2030 Vision process and support the city's parks policies.

Towards that they city notes of a number of elements that make up that vision. 

A new major waterfront park in the Marina District which may include open space play areas, an event area and stage, gardens and plazas, a seawall, beach area for water access, aquarium, First Nations long, house and food/cafĂ© uses. 

A new public wharf in the Lower Town area of Downtown. This may include cafes and restaurants, marine berthing facilities, a grand stair, and funicular connection to Upper Town, and visitor information services. 

A new Harbour Landing Park with green space, water access, ferry landing and restaurant/public house services. 

A new Midtown Park serving the midtown residents.

As well the City makes note of some trail planning objects that have been recommended for the community.

Encourage the dedication and construction of a trail system that achieves a continuous loop around Kaien Island. 

Consider opening and developing historic subdivided and dedicated unconstructed road-ends to the sea as public trails. 

Implement a process for reviewing and approval of all trail works by the City.

One of the city's two recently hired planning staffers, Myfannwy Pope  is handling the file for the city.

The deadline for submissions of interest is May 13th at 2PM

The timeline towards the planning process is over the course of the next year, starting with a project initiation for June of this year, a data and collection phase from July 2022 to December 2022, with other elements through 2023 leading to a presentation to Council in June of 2023.

You can explore all the details towards the initiative from the BC Bid website.

Notes on some of the past planning themes for the City can be reviewed here.

A review of previews calls for proposals from the City can be examined here.

2 comments:

  1. So there is a plan to develop carbon sequestration?

    Big talk from city hall, considering they just expanded their landfill, introduced recycling and do not have bylaws that prohibit idling or single use plastics.

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  2. Another $100,000.00 study. How many of these does the city plan on doing. Every one of this studies are close to $10 for every man woman and child of Prince Rupert. $50.00 for a household of five.

    We have bulked up city administration and we are paying them. Let them do the work. The city wants to raise our taxes at the same time raiding the Legacy Fund. Councilors it is alright to question the need for outside agencies.

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