HomeMy WebLinkAboutEGD-16-05REPORT
CL!e thKeWa yENGINEERING SERVICES
Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
Date: Monday June 6, 2005 /J
Report #: EGD-16-05 File #: By-law #:
Subject: OUTDOOR RECREATION FACILITIES STUDY
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee
recommend to Council the following:
THAT Report EDG-16-05 be received; and
2. THAT The Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study be approved as a guide for the future
provision of outdoor recreation facilities; and
3. That Council express its intent to fund these projects, to the extent allowable, from
current and future development charges.
Submitted by: A.S. Cannella, C.E.T. Reviewed b :
Director of Engineering Services
ASC/PW/jo
June 1, 2005
�Z"ru
ranklin Wu,
Chief Administrative Officer
CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L'IC 3A6 T 905-623-3379 F 905-623-9282
REPORT NO.: EGD-16-05
1.0 BACKGROUND
PAGE 2
Clarington's rapid growth has created the need to develop a strategy for the future
provision of outdoor recreation facilities. The Municipality has been very pro -active in
the provision of outdoor recreation facilities for residents of Clarington. Neighbourhood
Parks are constructed annually, usually with one ball or soccer field as well as a
playground, a basketball court and sometimes water play. The Municipality also has an
ambitious program of Community and District Park development over the next few
years. A comprehensive study was required to accurately identify outdoor recreation
facility needs within the municipality for the next 15 years.
Factors affecting the provision and delivery of outdoor sports facilities in Clarington
include:
Escalating service expectations and budget pressures. A true understanding of
the Municipality's and the community's priorities was required as well as a need
for strategies to prioritize competing services within budget limitations and to
prioritize public requests.
Emerging trends and issues in the sport and recreation sector. Comprehensive
community consultation was used to identify the current leisure needs and
preferences of local residents
in December 2004 Monteith/Brown Planning Consultants were retained by the
Municipality to undertake an Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study. A steering committee
of staff from Engineering Services and Operational Services was established to work
with the consultant on the project.
2.0 ANALYSIS
Facilities within the scope of the Study included: sports fields (soccer, baseball, slo-
pitch, softball, football, lacrosse, rugby, cricket), tennis courts, outdoor basketball courts,
skateboard facilities, bocce courts, lawn bowling greens, leash free dog parks, water
play areas and recreational trails. Indoor recreation facilities are not part of this Study.
The Study focused on municipally -owned property and facilities and other public
property that the Municipality leases, maintains or has joint use agreements (e.g.,
school boards, OPG, etc.).
The Study identifies outdoor recreation facility needs within the municipality for the next
fifteen years and determines provision strategies to meet these needs in both the short
and long term.
REPORT NO.: EGD-16-06
PAGE 3
Monteith/Brown completed the Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study after compiling and
assessing the following key information.
a) Review and summarize the inventory of outdoor recreation facilities in the
Municipality of Clarington, including all facilities that are available for public use.
b) Identify local, regional, and national trends and emerging trends relating to
outdoor recreational participation and facility design. Trends in local usage
patterns were documented to assess impact on future demand and provision.
c) Develop a socio-demographic profile of the community to identify its implications
on the current and future demand for outdoor recreation services.
d) Obtain input from community stakeholders, Municipal staff and officials, the
general public, and non -municipal outdoor recreation facility providers.
e) Evaluate the Municipality's sports field classifications (e.g., youth v. adult,
neighbourhood v. tournament use, etc.) and recommend improvements to such.
f) Assess existing inventory of ball, soccer and tennis facilities for size,
configuration, orientation and appropriate setbacks in order to identify how the
municipality can more efficiently use those facilities (e.g. Will lighting of a field
satisfy an under -serviced area? Can certain facilities be re -configured to better
meet needs? Is there an opportunity to convert existing over -supplied facilities in
order to provide needed facilities?)
g) Assess the current requirements for outdoor recreation facilities in the
Municipality in relation to the needs and priorities of the users. This assessment
should consider demographics, quality and distribution of existing facilities,
distinctiveness of communities, usage patterns, emerging needs, how our current
inventory of facilities and services is meeting those needs, community input, etc.
h) With regard to the trails component of this Study, trails have not historically been
a significant focus of the Municipality's parks and open space planning, however,
trends suggest that trails are an important investment as they provide outdoor
recreation to a broad range of residents.
i} Identify the number of outdoor recreation facilities needed to meet future
requirements considering demographic forecasts, leisure participation and facility
design trends and community input.
REPORT NO.: EGD-16-05
3.0 COMMUNITY INPUT
PAGE 4
Consultation with stakeholders and the public at large was a key ingredient to this
Study. Monteith/Brown contacted approximately 20-25 user groups through interviews,
surveys, and/or focus groups to identify and discuss issues and concerns. A
community -wide random household survey was also conducted to assess public opinion
and usage patterns related to outdoor recreation. Participation rates of various sports
were assessed and compared to the number of available facilities. Three public
meetings were held to obtain additional information from user groups and the public.
Through this process the consultant obtained input from the community in terms of
current issues and needs, trends, future needs, partnership arrangements, and potential
strategies. The community consultation process aimed to create buy -in without raising
unrealistic expectations.
4.0 FACILITY SUMMARY
The table below provides a basic summary of the existing supply and demand of
outdoor recreation facilities in Clarington. (The table includes facilities currently under
construction at Bowmanville Community Park, Rosswell Park and Pearce Farm Park).
Outdoor Recreation Facilit Demand in Clarin tan
Facility Type
Current
FacilityDemand
Existing
supply
Demand
Surplus/ (Deficit)
Soccer
Full/intermediate
30
43
(13)
Soccer -- Mini
18
24
6
Baseball
12
6
6
Softball/Slo-Pitch
31
12
19
Football I Lacrosse I
Rugby
0
1
(1)
Basketball
14
16
2
Tennis
18
16
2
Bocce
0
0
0
Lawn Bowling
0
0
0
Skateboard
1
4
3
Source: Monteith Brown Planning Lonsuitants, zuuo
REPORT NO.: EGD-16-05
PAGE 5
In general the Municipality has a surplus of ball diamonds and a shortage of soccer
fields. Reallocating some poorer quality and under -used ball diamonds is a potential
solution as many of these diamonds have potential to be converted to soccer use.
Upgrading some existing diamonds and concentrating ball use at the best locations is
also recommended.
There is a total need for 19 new soccer pitches assuming the continued use and ideally
the provision of a joint use agreement with the School Board regarding access and
maintenance of a portion of school fields. Without usage of school fields, the number of
soccer pitches required to meet the current needs for the sport would significantly
increase.
For ball organizations, there is a large oversupply of facilities with 25 diamonds above
the current need. Softball diamonds account for the vast majority of the diamonds,
which has resulted from the sport's historic popularity leading to their incorporation into
many park designs. However, shifts in the demand from ball to soccer have left the
Municipality with a surplus of diamonds and a deficit of soccer fields. There needs to be
a reallocation of ball diamonds to other uses in order to meet the current needs brought
about by the shifting preferences to different sports.
The demand for additional skate board facilities is high. Skateboarding is one of the
fastest growing sports in Canada and the household survey revealed that Clarington
residents echo this trend. It is believed that the demand will not diminish in the future;
rather it will continue to grow especially among older children and teenagers. Dedicated
facilities for skate boarding can minimize the conflicts and damage to public property
that occur with skate boarding in public plazas or on private property. The report
recommends three additional skate parks in Clarington with the most demand in
Courtice.
Recreational trails are highly desired by the public. The household survey revealed that
the provision of trails was the most important facility to meet the needs of residents.
92% of households walked for leisure in the past year, 63% of households stated that
additional trails would be the most important outdoor recreation facility for them. In
general the aging population is demanding more passive leisure opportunities such as
recreational trails and leisure trends suggest an increasing demand for un-programmed
active living opportunities that are compatible with the lifestyles of the aging population.
Water play is also in high demand. Children's spray pads and water play areas ranked
second among desired needs in the Municipality with 54% of households stating this
preference. The Study recommends installing water play at appropriate neighbourhood
and community parks throughout the Municipality.
Other facilities such as tennis, basketball, football, field lacrosse, rugby, cricket, and
lawn bowling are also analyzed in the Study providing the Municipality with a template
of provision opportunities over the course of the next 15 years.
REPORT NO.: EGD-16-05
6.0 CONCLUSION
PAGE 6
The Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study provides the Municipality with a comprehensive
guide for the future provision of outdoor recreation. It also provides a series of
recommended strategies for improving our existing supply of outdoor recreation through
conversion and upgrading of some existing facilities. All of the recommendations are
based on consultation with stakeholder/user groups, the public, municipal staff, trends,
research, population projections, existing user data, facility assessments, and future
parkland provision.
Over the course of the next 15 years the Municipality will be developing three District
Parks, four Community Parks and fifteen Neighbourhood Parks. This Study will ensure
that we meet the needs of residents and sports user in the provision of outdoor
recreation for the foreseeable future.
OUTDOOR RECREATION FACILITIES STUDY
Final Report •June 2005
Monteith•Brown
planning consultants
610 PRINCESS AVENUE, LONDON,
ONTARIO, CANADA N68 2B9
T (519) 686.1300, F: (51.9) 681-1690
MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
OUTDOOR RECREATION FACILITIES STUDY
Final Report — June 2005
Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION ONE: INTRODUCTION....................................................................... 1
1.1 Purpose..................................................................................... 1
1.2 Community Context...................................................................... 1
1.3 Outdoor Recreation Facility Study Process ........................................ 1
1.4 Report Organization...................................................................... 2
SECTION TWO: DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS...................................................... 4
2.1 Overview.................................................................................. 4
2.2 Historic Population Figures........................................................... 4
2.3 Projected Population Figures........................................................ 5
2.4 Population Distribution.................................................................. 6
2.5 Age Composition — Future Projections ............................................. 9
2.6 Household Income....................................................................... 10
2.7 Education................................................................................... 11
SECTION THREE: OUTDOOR RECREATION TRENDS ANALYSIS ........................ 12
3.1 Overview.................................................................................... 12
3.2 Trends in Participation................................................................... 12
3.3 Sport -Specific Trends................................................................... 14
3.4 Designing Outdoor Facilities for the Future ........................................ 16
SECTION FOUR: COMMUNITY CONSULTATION PROGRAM ................................. 18
4.1 Household Survey & Analysis........................................................ 18
4.2 Stakeholder Workshop................................................................. 24
4.3 Stakeholder Survey...................................................................... 26
4.4 Public Meeting............................................................................ 31
4.5 Summary of Public Consultation.................................................... 32
SECTION FIVE: OUTDOOR FACILITY INVENTORY & ANALYSIS .......................... 33
5.1 Field Sports................................................................................ 33
5.1.1
Soccer Fields.............................................................................
33
5.1.2
Ball Diamonds...........................................................................
37
5.1.3
Football Fields...........................................................................
41
5.1.4
Lacrosse...................................................................................
43
5.1.5
Rugby......................................................................................
45
5.1.6
Cricket.....................................................................................
45
5.2
Non -Field Sports.........................................................................
46
5.2.1
Outdoor Basketball Courts............................................................
46
5.2.2
Outdoor Tennis Courts................................................................
47
5.2.3
Bocce......................................................................................
48
5.2.4
Lawn Bowling Greens.................................................................
49
5.3
Other Recreational Pursuits
..........................................................
49
5.3.1
Skateboarding Parks..................................................................
49
5.3.2
BMX Facilities
...........................................................................
50
5.3.3
Water Play Areas......................................................................
51
5.3.4
Leash -free Dog Zones (Dog Parks) ..............................................
52
5.4
Facility Summary ........................................................................
53
SECTION SIX: OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRINTS ANALYSIS .............................54
6.1 Overview.................................................................................. 54
6.2 Soccer..................................................................................... 54
6.3 Ball.......................................................................................... 59
6.4 Summary of Existing Sports Field Upgrades and Conversions ............ 65
6.5 Multi -Purpose — Football/Lacrosse/Rugby........................................ 66
6.6 Basketball................................................................................. 67
6.7 Tennis..................................................................................... 67
6.8 Skateboarding............................................................................ 67
6.9 Summary of Ball Diamond Conversions ........................................... 67
SECTION SEVEN: RECREATIONAL TRAIL ANALYSIS..........................................69
7.1 Inventory .................................................................................. 69
7.2 Analysis.................................................................................... 69
7.3 Opportunities............................................................................. 70
SECTION EIGHT: IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY ..............................................
73
8.1
Field Development Standards.........................................................
73
8.2
Improving Sports Field Quality & Meeting User Needs .........................
73
8.3
Long-term Planning & Monitoring Tools ............................................
74
8.4
Allocation and Permits..................................................................
74
8.5
Ball Diamond Provision...................................................................75
8.6
Soccer Field Provision...................................................................
77
8.7
Other Sports Fields......................................................................
78
8.8
Recreational Trails......................................................................
78
8.9
Leash -Free Dog Park...................................................................
79
8.10
New Outdoor Recreation Facility Provision.........................................79
Section One: Introduction
Section 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Purpose
The purpose of the Study is to identify outdoor recreation facility needs within the Municipality of
Clarington for the next 15 years. In doing so, the Study determines the most appropriate and
fiscally -achievable provision strategies, complete with priorities and timing, to meet the needs
identified by a detailed analysis of projected demand in conjunction with consultation with the
community, key stakeholders/user groups and municipal staff. The Study is intended to provide
a "roadmap" to outdoor recreation facility provision, including recommendations for sports
facility improvements or construction.
The scope of the Study is limited to the assessment of all outdoor sports fields (soccer,
baseball, slo-pitch, softball, football, lacrosse, rugby, cricket), tennis courts, outdoor basketball
courts, skateboard facilities, bocce courts, BMX facilities, lawn bowling greens, leash free dog
parks, water play areas and recreational trails. While not all of the above noted facilities
currently exist within the Municipality, the potential for future need from emerging trends must
be considered.
1.2 Community Context
Parks, open space and leisure facilities contribute to the social, cultural and economic well
being of a community and enhance the overall quality of life for its residents. Recreation
provides the opportunity for people to partake in an enjoyable and healthy lifestyle by offering
options that allow them to experience the beauty of the outdoors.
The Municipality of Clarington is most notably bounded on the south by Lake Ontario and to the
west by the City of Oshawa. Clarington's 2001 Census population was recorded at
approximately 69,850; the Municipality is projected to experience significant growth during the
study period due to the greater Toronto area, and the high quality of life that it offers to its
residents. The major urban centres of Bowmanville, Courtice and Newcastle are expected to
absorb most of the growth while populations in Orono and the rural areas are projected to
slightly increase as well.
The Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study provides the Municipality of Clarington the opportunity
to examine its leisure infrastructure in order to determine if it is meeting the needs of its current
residents while planning for a growing population. Clarington, like most communities across the
province, faces the challenge of providing leisure services that contribute to a healthy
community with finite resources.
1.3 Outdoor Recreation Facility Study Process
The Study process has been divided into three logical and appropriate phases:
1) Background Analysis
2) Needs Analysis
3) Implementation Strategy
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 1
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section One: Introduction
Background Analysis
The background analysis provides the building blocks of this Study through the:
■ public consultation; ■ trends analysis; and
■ development of a community profile; ■ identification of inventory.
Following the identification and assembly of the key project building blocks the Study is divided
into two components: (1) the identification of needs; and (2) the preparation of a strategy to
meet the identified needs. The approaches to some of the key tasks are described below.
Needs Analysis
The Needs Analysis phase establishes how many of each sports facility are required now and in
15 years time. Matters to be examined are based on the building blocks identified in the
background analysis. A combination of Clarington-specific participation rates and population -
based levels of service are developed. Once the standards are decided upon, they are
compared to the supply of facilities and demographic data to determine the degree of under (or
over) supply currently and in the future. Based upon this data, an analysis of Clarington's parks
was undertaken to determine if all or part of the requirements could be accommodated through
upgrading or expanding existing facilities. Appropriate locations for new field development were
identified with the assistance of the Municipality.
Implementation Strategy
The Implementation Strategy incorporates all of the recommendations into a priority ranking
system based on degree of need and fiscal assessment. The Study documents the priority and
timing for each project/recommendation.
1.4 Report Organization
The Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study for the Municipality of Clarington is organized as
follows:
Section 2: Demographic Analysis
Contains an overview of the Municipality's demographic characteristics, detailed
population projections, and their relevance to Clarington's parks and leisure
system.
Section 3: Outdoor Recreation Trends Analysis
Identifies major activity and facility provision trends and a discussion of the
impact of the key changes and trends in the community regarding the delivery
and provision of recreation facilities, parks, programs and services.
Section 4: Community Consultation Program
Outlines and evaluates the public's perceptions of the current state of recreation
and leisure in the Municipality as well as future needs, opportunities and
challenges as identified through the Household Survey, stakeholder
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 2
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section One: Introduction
questionnaires and workshops, public meetings and discussions with Municipal
Staff.
Section 5: Outdoor Facility Inventory & Analysis
Identifies the strengths and weaknesses of the current service delivery by
examining the inventory of facilities, analyzing feedback from user groups, and
identifying the implications of facility usage. Strategies are provided to address
such implications while assessing recreational programming and program
delivery by identifying areas of deficiency and/or oversupply.
Section 6: Facility Development Standards
Develops updated standards for facility development, addressing matters such
as the recommended dimensions of the various field types, required amenities
for each field type, appropriate setback requirements from residential land uses,
etc.
Section 7: Recreational Trail Analysis
Includes an examination of the Municipality's existing trails and opportunities for
improvement, enhancement and new trail development.
Section 8: Implementation Strategy
Incorporates all of the recommendations into a priority ranking system based on
the degree of need. The Study documents the priority and timing of each
project/recommendation.
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 3
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Two: Demographic Analysis
Section 2: DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
2.1 Overview
The needs for recreation and leisure facilities are evaluated by analyzing the past,
present and projected demographic profile of a community. Upon such examination, the
Municipality of Clarington appears to be poised for considerable growth in the near
future.
Currently, the Municipality's D.C. figures indicate that the majority of Clarington's 80,000
residents live in urban areas, with 2004 population numbers showing that approximately:
39% reside in Bowmanville; • 2% live in Orono; and
29% are in Courtice; • 20% of Clarington's residents reside
10% live in Newcastle; in rural areas.
These urban districts, along with the Municipality's rural areas, will experience growth
and changes in their age structures in varying levels. Age composition has a significant
impact on the demand for recreation and leisure services; for example, younger age
groups participate in more `active' forms of recreation such as soccer, while older ages
tend to favour more `passive' leisure activities such as walking.
Given this growing population, the Municipality of Clarington has had to provide
increased services and infrastructure to accommodate the needs of the population. As
shown in the following sections, the population is expected to continue to increase which
will have implications on the future outdoor leisure needs for the Municipality.
2.2 Historic Population Figures
Clarington has experienced significant growth in the past fifteen years (a period when its
population more than doubled), primarily through in -migration due to its proximity to
large urban agglomerations. Residents in the Municipality enjoy the benefits of
commuting to the large employment centres west of Clarington without having to deal
with the often higher property costs of these areas. Clarington also has significant
natural amenities as it is bounded on the south by Lake Ontario. Such factors have
undoubtedly contributed to the Municipality's growth in the past decade.
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 4
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Two: Demographic Analysis
Figure 2-1: Historical Population of Clarington
Source: Statistics Canada, Census Data
2.3 Projected Population Figures
Based upon data provided by the Municipality of Clarington's Development Charges
Study, the forecasted growth adjusted to Census years between 2001 and 2021 results
in almost a 78% increase in population. It is anticipated that the total population in 2021
will be nearly 124,100 residents, an increase of over 54,000 people from 2001.
Figure 2-2: Projected Population for Clarington
Source: MBPC (2005) adjusted data based on 2004 Development Charges Study
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 5
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Two: Demographic Analysis
Based upon this growth, there will be a need to develop new infrastructure and upgrade
and/or adapt existing infrastructure to meet the needs of the future residents. Growth will
take place in some form or another, thus, Clarington must continue to be in a position to
provide sufficient leisure opportunities to meet the needs of its population.
Because population levels are heavily dependent on factors outside of the influence of
this Study, utilization of the flexible and market -driven approach to parks and facilities
planning set out in this document will enable the Municipality of Clarington to adjust its
strategy based upon revised population data when it becomes available over the coming
years. The population growth must be continually monitored to ensure that the
Municipality does not: a) overbuild facilities that may not be used; or b) provide
insufficient recreational opportunities for its residents.
2.4 Population Distribution
Table 2-1 illustrates the populations for the different communities in Clarington and their
projected growth.
Table 2-1: Population Proiections by Community
2001 *
2019
% Growth
% of Total
Municipal
Growth
Bowmanville
27,460
48,198
75.5%
46.8%
Courtice
21,549
31,520
46.3%
22.5%
Newcastle
6,701
17,352
158.9%
24.0%
Orono
1,816
1,681
-7.4%
-0.3%
Rural
15,804
18,886
19.5%
7.0%
Total
73,330
117,637
60.4%
100%
* 2001 data adjusted
to include Census undercount
Source: Municipality of Clarington
As noted in the table above and the following text, most of the growth in the Municipality
will occur in the Bowmanville, Newcastle and Courtice areas. The effects of growth will
be most noticeable in Newcastle, which will more than double its existing population.
For the Municipality of Clarington, those aged between 30-44 constitute the largest
proportion of residents as compared to the rest of the age cohorts. The communities
within the Municipality that have older ages in relation to others include Newcastle,
Orono and the rural areas, while Courtice and Bowmanville have a higher proportion of
those under 35 years including children and teens. National trends show an aging of the
population, which is apparent in Clarington as detailed in the following section; this aging
combined with growth in younger age cohorts indicates a combination of in -migration
and current residents choosing to remain in Clarington.
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 6
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Two: Demographic Analysis
Figur
Housing growth forecasted by the Municipality anticipates that the majority of new units
will be in the major urban areas. Most of the new development is projected to take the
form of ground -related units (such as single detached homes, semi-detached,
rowhouses, etc.) most likely targeted to young and mature families with multiple
household members.
Figure 2-4: Forecasted Ground -Related Unit Growth
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 7
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Two: Demographic Analysis
The forecasted new units provide insight as to where and when the future growth will
occur and thus decisions made regarding recreation and leisure facilities should take this
distribution into account. For example, while Newcastle currently is not experiencing the
growth as seen in other areas, by 2015 it will have more new developments than each of
the other settlement areas.
Bowmanville
Bowmanville appears to be a community with high proportion of young and mature
families, with a high number of people aged in their early 40s along with a significant
number of those under 20 years of age.
Bowmanville is forecasted to absorb most of the Municipality's population growth in the
next fifteen years; from its 2001 population, Bowmanville's population is anticipated to
increase by over 20,700 residents by 2019, meaning that this urban centre needs to be
prepared to accommodate expanded recreation and leisure demands in a relatively short
time frame.
Courtice
Courtice is another example of a community with a relatively young age in Clarington.
Census data indicates that it is in a young family stage as quite a number of youths are
under 15 years of age and there are not too many university/college aged residents.
Courtice is also expected to absorb much of the Municipality's population growth over
the next ten years.
Newcastle
The population of Newcastle is roughly one-third that of Courtice but its age composition
is similar with a large number of residents aged in their late 30s and under 15 years. The
proportion of those over 60 years of age, in comparison to other cohorts, is much higher
than in the other communities.
Newcastle is projected to see a major increase in its residential housing base after 2015.
The Municipality forecasts that Newcastle will almost triple its 2001 population of 6,701
to 17,352 by 2019. The significantly higher population base will require Newcastle to
move forward in providing the necessary recreation and leisure facilities to
accommodate the demand that will be created for such services.
Orono
With a population of just over 1,600 residents, Orono has quite a high proportion of 10-
14 year olds in addition to the significant proportion of the population aged in their late
30s and early 40s. Orono's population is expected to slightly increase by 2009, however,
it will drop off in the following years. This could be the result of a number of factors,
however, the Municipality should continue to ensure that the needs of this small
population are being met without being overshadowed by the growth experienced
elsewhere in Clarington.
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 8
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Two: Demographic Analysis
Rural Areas
The trend in Clarington's rural areas is typical of provincial trends given that the
population is significantly older than in the urban areas. The rural population is expected
to grow by almost 20% between 2001 and 2019. This is highly significant because a
great deal of recreational facilities are located in urban areas. With the rural population
growing significantly, the Municipality should ensure that citizens living outside of urban
boundaries are afforded equitable and accessible leisure services to the greatest extent
possible.
2.5 Age Composition — Future Projections
The group of individuals aged between 35 and 54 constitute a large portion of the `Baby
Boom' generation who are in the `greying' phase of their life cycle. While traditional
senior citizens were more likely to participate in highly passive leisure opportunities, the
baby boom cohort is more likely to maintain more active recreational habits longer into
their senior years. This group of individuals also has a higher income and savings than
the past generations, which increases their ability to participate in a wider range of
leisure opportunities. The trend of high incomes correlating with increased participation
levels is observed province -wide.
As a result of such a high proportion of baby boomers, the most significant change in
age composition will be the growing numbers of residents aged over 55 years. The
absolute number of residents aged 35-54 will continue to grow as well, primarily through
in -migration. The number of adults aged 20-34 also rises significantly as the Municipality
moves into to the future. The implications of all groups rising in numbers means that
recreational opportunities for these age groups need to be given specific priority in the
planning of future leisure services.
In absolute terms, the number of children and teens will also increase in the Municipality
(from approximately 22,000 in 2001 to 33,000 in 2021). While the 0-19 age group is
projected to increase by 50%, the 55+ cohort will nearly triple (a 178% growth rate).
Age cohort projections are based on Region -wide percentages (adjusted for current age
breakdowns in Clarington) contained in the Region of Durham Official Plan Review:
Population, Employment and Urban Land Discussion Paper, Fall 2003.
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 9
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Two: Demographic Analysis
Figure 2-5: Population Growth by Age Cohort
The aging trend is apparent in the Municipality, despite the high proportion of youths and
young adults. This indicates that future recreation planning must continue to encompass
a broad spectrum of opportunities to meet the needs of this growing population. Even
though the absolute numbers of residents continues to rise, their respective growth rates
indicate the trend in which they are growing in relation to each other. The following table
illustrates the current and anticipated age structures for the Municipality of Clarington
over a twenty-year time frame.
Table 2-2: Forecasted Age Composition by Percentage
2001-2021 Age Composition by %, Municipality of Clarington
2001
2006
2011
2016
2021
0-9
16.4%
14.5%
14.1 %
14.4%
14.8%
10-19
15.4%
15.7%
14.3%
12.6%
12.1%
20-34
17.8%
18.1 %
19.7%
20.7%
20.2%
35-54
33.0%
31.9%
29.6%
27.2%
25.6%
55+ 1
17.4%
19.8%
22.3%
25.0%
27.3%
Total 1
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
Source: MBPC (2005), based on Census 2001 data & Region of Durham Official Plan Review
Again, these projections utilize figures from different sources such as the Clarington
Development Charges Study and the Durham Official Plan Review; thus, it is
recommended that the Municipality closely monitor population totals by age group on an
on -going basis to ensure that the market -driven strategy is as informed as possible.
2.6 Household Income
Recreational studies have identified income as the most significant barrier to recreational
opportunities and their resulting participation. This consideration is highly important
when facility planning for communities due to the diversity in earnings that exists in the
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 10
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Section Two: Demographic Analysis
societal network. An important indication of income trends is the growing disparity
between the country's wealthy and lower -income citizens.
The 2001 Census identified that wealth and income tend to increase with age and the
highest net worth is associated with the 55-64 year old age group. As noted in previous
sections, the Municipality of Clarington currently has a high proportion of residents aged
between 35-54. With a median annual income of $30,084 per person in Clarington
(compared to $24,816 in Ontario), individual incomes are likely to rise in the future as the
35-54 year old cohort moves into the next age bracket. Clarington's unemployment rate
of 4.9% is below the Provincial rate of 6.1 % which implies that Clarington appears to be
in a generally advantageous position, as compared to others in the province, when
securing income.
The Municipality should take steps to ensure that recreation remains affordable to those
in its lower income brackets despite the appearance that residents are likely able to
afford future costs of recreation.
2.7 Education
Level of schooling is another indicator of leisure participation — the more educated a
community is, generally the more physically active it is. A review of the 2001 Census
data suggests that Clarington has a lower percentage of university educated residents
compared to the provincial averages, but has a higher proportion of citizens with a
college or technical school education. This implies that local participation rates may be
lower than in other communities, however, when combined with the higher average
income finding (see section 2.6), these factors likely mitigate each other. As such, it is
anticipated that Clarington's overall participation rates should be similar to that of the
entire province.
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Final Report (June 2005)
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Section Three: Outdoor Recreation Trends Analysis
Section 3: OUTDOOR RECREATION TRENDS ANALYSIS
3.1 Overview
In recent years, governments have acknowledged the importance of physical health in
maintaining a positive quality of life for Canadians; in fact, the Provincial Government
has shown a renewed interest in the regard with the launching of its Active2010
campaign and similar programs. With high obesity rates and people finding less personal
time in busy schedules, recreation provides an opportunity to promote healthier lifestyles
if it is made a priority. Offering attractive, accessible and convenient leisure opportunities
is a means to helping people increase the role that recreation plays in their lives.
This section summarizes the major trends in the participation, demand and delivery of
leisure activities and services. In order to plan effectively for Clarington's current and
future residents, it is important to identify existing and emerging trends that may
influence facility and program needs.
3.2 Trends in Participation
Physical Activity Levels
Studies have shown that Canadians are less active due to certain constraints, of which
"lack of time" is the biggest challenge to participation in recreational activities (as
identified in the household survey). The Household Survey conducted for Clarington
revealed that 53% of residents felt as though a lack of time was a detriment to their
ability to participate in outdoor recreational activities. Despite the appearance that most
people are time -pressed, the 1996 CFLRI Physical Activity Monitor found that 20% of the
average weekday and 30% of the average weekend day is spent in leisure pursuits.
Much of this time is spent watching television, reading, listening to music and other
hobbies. Therefore, the challenge is not one of creating more hours in the day, but
rather finding ways to get people to participate less in sedentary pursuits such as
watching television in exchange for more vigorous pursuits.
Other research shows that:
• In 2003, only 50% of Canadians age 12 and over were considered to be "active or
moderately active in leisure -time physical activity", meaning that 50% are
insufficiently active for optimal health benefits.
• From a municipal perspective, the alarming rates of childhood and youth obesity
provide a strong basis for ongoing support to programs which foster improved levels
of activity
In response to many of these trends, the Provincial Government has launched a new
program called "Active2010" that aims to increase physical activity for everyone, with a
particular focus on 10 to 14 year -olds. The government is investing $5 million per year
in Active 2010 to improve awareness of the benefits of physical activity and to motivate
people to get active.
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Final Report (June 2005)
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Section Three: Outdoor Recreation Trends Analysis
Encouraging physical activity from a municipal perspective can be done through making
provisions in policy to make recreation more accessible and through funding to market
and develop recreational opportunities so that they are attractive choices for Canadians.
Organized Sports in Canada
Participation in sport has declined significant in Canada during the last decade. Studies
conducted by the Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute and Statistics
Canada have resulted in a number of relevant findings:
• In 1998, 34% of Canadians aged 15 years and older participated in sports on a
regular basis, down significantly from 45% in 1992. In Ontario, participation rates
declined by 9% (to 32%) during this time period.
• Male participation rates continue to be higher than female levels, although increasing
female participation is on the rise and is helping to offset declines in some male -
dominated sports (e.g. hockey, slo-pitch, etc.).
• Sport participation levels decline with age, beginning at the age of 12 and dropping
off considerably beyond the age of 20. The teenage years are increasing
characterized by reduced participation in physical activity and a corresponding
reduction in fitness.
• There are gender preferences for sport; favoured activities for women are swimming,
golf, baseball and volleyball, while men prefer hockey, golf, baseball or basketball.
• Children whose parents participate in sport are more likely to be active (two-thirds of
active children have one or more parent engaged in sport).'
Such factors indicate that the nature of the programming and facility expectations will
change over time. For example, it is expected that:
• there will be a continued shift to less physically rigorous activities as well as personal
skill development (this trend is already quite evident in many communities across the
Province);
• there will be a shift away from participation in certain traditional recreation activities
(e.g., baseball) towards activities that are more informal, casual and self -scheduled;
in this regard, it is expected that older adults will prefer a drop -in approach to
recreation activities;
• older adults and the community in general will have higher expectations in terms of
quality services and facilities; and
• demand for outdoor programs (e.g., gardening, bird watching, etc.) will increase.
Sport and Nature -Based Tourism
Tourism is recognized for its contribution to the local, provincial and national economies.
From a local perspective, this means that parks and recreation cultural facilities are
being assessed for their contribution to the tourism market, whereas traditionally, the
emphasis was primarily on a resident population.
' Statistics Canada, Canadian Social Trends, Autumn 2000 Issue, "A Family Affair: Children's Participation
in Sports".
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Section Three: Outdoor Recreation Trends Analysis
Furthermore, the desire for family recreation (which related directly to tourism) is
growing, creating the need for more multi -purpose and "destination" facilities (e.g.,
outdoor water parks, unique educational opportunities, waterfront parks, tournament
sites, etc.). Recreational pursuits are beginning to emphasize "experiences" and quality
of life more and more — people no longer want just to do the same old things, instead
they want to come away with an experience or an adventure.
3.3 Sport -Specific Trends
This subsection outlines trends in certain sports that have enjoyed popularity throughout
the years. Shifting demographics and social factors play a key role in determining trends
specific to individual sports as outlined below.
Soccer
Soccer in Canada experienced tremendous growth in the 1990s, which has carried
through to this decade. The sport still enjoys great popularity but it appears as though
the numbers may be leveling off in many jurisdictions. According to the Ontario Soccer
Association, player enrollment grew by 4.2% in between 2000 and 2001, which was
down considerably from the 20.5% growth rate experienced in 1995. The Darlington
Soccer Club reports, however, that growth is as strong as ever, with 32% more players
joining in the past five years (there were over 5,100 players registered in 2004). In terms
of percentages, the greatest growth has occurred at the adult level (which has increased
by 123% over 5 years), although adults account for only 12% of all soccer players in
Clarington.
Clarington may encounter the dilemma faced many municipalities in Ontario who
continue to have difficulty meeting the demand for one of more program streams
including youth and competitive leagues. Additionally, the number of competitive leagues
has also increased which has created a demand for higher quality fields. Furthermore,
as the youth soccer players of the 1990s become adults, it is expected that even greater
demand for adult soccer opportunities (both indoor and outdoor) will be seen.
Baseball
Baseball leagues in Ontario have seen a decline at the expense of soccer's growing
popularity. The Eastern Ontario section of Baseball Ontario (which includes Clarington)
has seen an 8% reduction in registrations over the past 4 years (despite the
considerable population growth that has occurred in this area over this time period);
province -wide, participation has declined by 11 % during this same period.
Although demand for baseball is down, a strategy put forth by Baseball Ontario
promotes `Winter Ball' in order to capitalize on a year-round opportunity for the game.
They believe that baseball enrollment is beginning to rebound but still has a negative
g rowth rate.
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Section Three: Outdoor Recreation Trends Analysis
Softball & Slo-Pitch
Softball has seen a similar decline as baseball, however, it appears to be stabilizing as
Softball Ontario is promoting a developmental game to schoolchildren. Softball continues
to be a popular option for recreational leagues and it appears as though women are
increasingly finding the game more attractive, especially on a competitive level where
there is an almost equal number of women's teams and men's teams.
Slo-Pitch in Ontario has been growing over the past decade and there are about
110,000 registered players in the province. About 85% of the players are adult, primarily
because it is more of a social sport but has a competitive element as well.
Football
The number of representatives registered with Football Canada numbers 90,000
players, coaches and officials involved in tackle, touch and flag football. In Ontario,
tackle football appears to be gaining popularity especially for players in between 7 and
19 years of age (a 60% growth rate between 2001 to 2004). In Clarington, football
participation has nearly doubled over the past three seasons, although it still pales in
comparisons to soccer and ball in terms of total players. The Clarington Tiger Cats
Football Club reports a 2004 registration number of 163 participants.
The Ontario Tackle Football Association reports that their biggest challenge is the supply
of fields as — being an autumn sport o well -lit fields are often necessary due to nightfall
breaking at an earlier time.
Field Lacrosse
Despite 100,000 registered players in Canada, only about 10% participate in field
lacrosse (most play box lacrosse, which can be accommodated in many indoor arenas
or turf facilities). Field lacrosse in Ontario did, however, grow in the last decade; in 2003
there were 120 teams in 40 associations and in 1993 there were only 15 teams in 5
associations (an increase of 700%!). Currently there are 65 associations representing
30,000 players in the province, of which 20 associations and 3000 players participate in
field lacrosse. Over the last couple of years, there has been an increase in female
participation, with male registration holding relatively stable. Field lacrosse is relatively
new to Clarington, however if the growth of box lacrosse is any indication (54% growth in
the past three seasons), field lacrosse is poised for considerable growth in the
Municipality. In fact Clarington Minor Lacrosse alone had 630 registrants for 2004,
although only 60 were enrolled in outdoor field lacrosse.
Field lacrosse is usually played in the spring season, typically on football or soccer
fields. The issue with this timeframe is that some municipalities prohibit access to
facilities due to the wetness of the pitches and the resulting damage that can occur. In
Clarington, a lack of facilities was identified as a key inhibitor to the sport's growth.
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 15
Final Report (June 2005)
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Section Three: Outdoor Recreation Trends Analysis
Tennis
Participation in tennis has generally been in decline in many communities, although
there appears to be some resurgence particularly in communities where there is a
segment of seasonal population and tourists. Tennis clubs or organizations continue to
promote the activity and have been reasonably successful in maintaining members.
Casual use, however, has been in decline or steady. In some communities a lack of
interest in tennis has created opportunities to convert under-utilized courts to alternative
uses, including basketball, in -line skating, skateboarding and floor hockey. However,
there continues to be a desire to provide tennis opportunities in communities to ensure
that access is provided for residents interested in participating in the activity. Therefore,
providing a reasonable distribution of tennis facilities continues to be desirable.
3.4 Designing Outdoor Facilities for the Future
Municipalities are beginning to close outdoor pools and wading pools and replacing them
with outdoor water play features such as splash pads. Splash pads are not only more
cost-effective due to the fact that they do not require staff supervision, but they also
attract a wider demographic (ages 2 to 14) than do many outdoor pools and wading
pools.
Youth needs are a preoccupation of recreation departments across the province. We are
at a point where the baby boom "echo generation" are in their teen years, which has
translated into a surge in the construction of skateboard parks and BMX/free-riding
facilities across the province. The initial concerns that some municipalities had about
liability and enforcement issues at skate parks have not materialized and, as a result,
more and more parks are being developed by municipalities, especially in partnership
with local organizations. It is recommended that youth be consulted in the design of any
new skateboard facility.
In most municipalities, there is an adequate supply of ball diamonds (as participation is
in decline), however, the quality of diamonds is often an issue as the sport is still played
at a high level by many players. Furthermore, the traditional park template of one ball
diamond and one soccer field is the cause of conflicts and does not allow for
maximization of use (as both sports cannot be played simultaneously); this type of
design is no longer the preferred approach.
Across the province, municipalities are currently struggling to meet the demands for high
quality soccer pitches. Usage of school fields, lighting of fields, and even the installation
of artificial turf are many of the ways to extend usage of limited resources. There is also
the challenge of catching up to current participation levels — many municipalities have
not been able to achieve this due to lack of funds and/or a suitable land base.
More frequently, municipalities are building multi -field sport parks through partnerships
with sports groups as well as private sector corporate sponsorships. Driving this trend is
operational efficiencies and the desire to capture the lucrative tournament market.
To serve a broader market there is a need to develop pathways and trail linkages (the
trend and survey data indicates that walking is the favoured activity). Bicycle trails,
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 16
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Three: Outdoor Recreation Trends Analysis
pathways, and linkages are outdoor facilities that serve people of all ages, as well as
future generations with only limited reinvestment over the years.
Along with the increased interest in trail development, there is an increased interest in
natural areas and leash free doq zones.
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 17
Final Report (June 2005)
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Section Four: Community Consultation Program
Section 4: COMMUNITY CONSULTATION PROGRAM
The community consultation program is an important element of any plan or study as it
gauges public perceptions and attitudes towards the various forms of recreation. Locally
collected data, combined with analysis of national and provincial trends, provide a critical
base on how to make specific decisions about recreation in the community. This Study
employed a number of public participation tools including:
■ a statistically significant household survey;
■ stakeholder workshops;
■ a survey of community user groups; and
■ a public meeting
The household survey consisted of a random telephone sample for the Municipality of
Clarington. The survey provided insights, attitudes and usage patterns that are
considered representative for the Municipality. Throughout the early part of 2005, the
stakeholder workshops and community user group surveys invited participants with an
interest in outdoor recreation facilities in the Municipality to participate in the Study
process. Both tools gathered valuable input regarding the strengths and challenges and
established the desired needs of outdoor facility users.
4.1 HOUSEHOLD SURVEY & ANALYSIS
To assist in the preparation of an Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study for the Municipality
of Clarington, a Household Survey of Clarington residents was undertaken. The number
of respondents was 384, which provides a confidence interval of ±5%, 19 times out of
20.
The survey collected information on the various aspects of outdoor recreation including
attitudes and usage patterns within the community. The specific focus was participation
in different recreational activities while identifying the strengths and needs for outdoor
recreation. From this information, the Municipality is able to make pertinent decisions
and relevant recommendations specific to the needs of its residents. Appendix A
contains the data tables illustrating the results of the Household Survey.
4.1.2 Participation in Outdoor Recreation
The survey found that 62% of households were able to participate in outdoor
recreational activities when desired. Conversely, 37% were not able to participate as
often as they would like.
Furthermore, 85% of households suggested that all or most of their needs were met
within the Municipality. This indicates that the Municipality of Clarington is doing a very
good job of meeting the outdoor recreation needs of its residents.
Most households indicated that they had participated in leisurely walking, bicycling and
jogging in the past year. Figure 1 illustrates responses by activity type in the past year.
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 18
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Four: Community Consultation Program
Figure 1: Participation in Outdoor Recreational Activities (% of households)
Walking for Leisure
Cycling
Running or Jogging
In -line Skating/Rollerblading
Soccer
Skateboarding
Softball or Baseball
Splash pads
Basketball
Tennis
Football
BMX Biking
Bocce
Field Lacrosse
Box Lacrosse
Lawn Bowling
Cricket
4.1.3 Barriers to Outdoor Recreational Opportunities
The most common detriment to being able to participate in outdoor recreation was a lack
of Personal time, with 53% of respondents citing this reason. "Lack of time" is the most
common response in other municipalities as well, although the high level of commuting
in Clarington has likely exacerbated this problem. Only 12% of respondents unable to
participate in outdoor recreation cited a lack of desired facilities as a reason for reduced
participation. Other data indicates that:
■ 5% feel that there is a lack of transportation or the facility is too far away
■ 4% indicated a lack of money or that a program/facility is too expensive
For those households who utilized parks or facilities outside of Clarington, 21 % stated it
was because the facility or program was not available in the Clarington while an
additional 5% stated that the facility or program was not available in the Municipality at
the desired time. The following activities are pursued outside of Clarington:
■ 6% of all respondents would leave in order to ski
■ 5% would leave for bicycling opportunities
■ 5% would leave for walking
■ 5% would leave for swimming
■ 4% would leave for golf
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 19
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Four: Community Consultation Program
4.1.4 Evaluation of Parks & Facilities
Of those polled, 56% of Clarington's residents stated that they were somewhat familiar
with the Municipality's parks and outdoor facilities while another 28% stated that they
were very familiar. The number of respondents who were not at all familiar with the parks
and outdoor facilities was only 15%.
The following table illustrates how the residents rate different aspects of parks and
outdoor facilities in the Municipality of Clarington (asked to those that were very or
somewhat familiar with the parks system).
Table 1: Satisfaction with Different Aspects of Parks & Outdoor Facilities
Numerical Excellent Very Average Fair Poor Unsure
Average* Good
Maintenance/ Cleanliness 1 2.23 22% 42% 26% 7% 2% 2%
Parking 2.41 27% 27% 23% 8% 9% 6%
"` '�" :'� �F s � -:: s3 a :: �� J � �•�. �, -z u. �s t i g�,Y ',;r� �, t : � � r ca �s, pry- s
Vif
Lhng x8�o 9% 21% �9%� f
,
Bleachers & Seatt n9 2.80 11 % 27% 29% 11 % 1 % 12%
5 ..fu• *.�a:�a.9f.,. _ <.._...<x aet..a.. ..a.n_. .sue, _....
* the lower the number, the higher the satisfaction level
The above table illustrates that residents feel that the facilities provided are generally
above average. In terms of overall adequacy, residents seem content with the existing
facilities although there is room for improvement as shown by only 13% of respondents
indicating that the overall adequacy of facilities is excellent.
Other key points include:
■ The greatest dissatisfaction is the lack of washroom availability and/or cleanliness.
■ Seating is something that could be improved at a couple of key venues in order to
increase satisfaction and encourage attendance for outdoor opportunities.
■ Similarly, lighting at key venues will encourage activity past dusk and will result in
safer trips in the heavily used or obscure areas (e.g., on paths and trails).
■ Location and maintenance received the highest satisfaction ratings. The latter is
often a significant concern of residents in other municipalities.
4.1.6 Assessment of Needs
For the Municipality of Clarington, 40% of respondents stated all of their household's
recreational needs were met within the Municipality while another 45% stated most of
their needs were met in Clarington. Other interesting points include:
■ 70% of respondents agreed there were sufficient outdoor recreational facilities that
suited their household needs (of this, 12% strongly agreed)
■ Conversely, 27% felt as though there were insufficient recreational facilities in the
Municipality.
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 20
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Four: Community Consultation Program
The residents surveyed stated that the following outdoor facilities, shown in Figure 2, are
required to meet their household's needs.
Figure 2: Desired Outdoor Facilities (% of households)
Trails
Children's Spray Pad or
Water Play Area
Outdoor Basketball Courts
Soccer Fields
Tennis Courts
Skateboard Parks
BMX Parks
Baseball or Softball Diamonds
24%
35%
40%
54%
63%
To supplement the data in Figure 2, respondents were asked to identify the facility needs
that were most pressing to their household. The results were similar, with trails and
spray pads being the two top priorities. Skateboard parks also received considerably
strong support (higher that what we have witnessed in similar surveys in other
municipalities). Conversely, although 40% expressed a need for more outdoor
basketball courts, only 6% saw them as a priority need. The following table illustrates
the priorities placed on additional outdoor facility development by the publics
Table 2: Additional Outdoor Facilitv Priorities
Children's Spray Pad or Water Play Area 20%
Soccer Fields 12%
Basejball orSof#ba[IDamonds
Tennis Courts 7%
IOutdoor.Basketball Courts,._ 6%< ,,
BMX Parks 4%
As shown in Figure 2 and Table 2, trails were desired by many of the respondents which
corresponds to the fact that most households participated in leisurely walking. In fact,
two-thirds of respondents stated that a member of their household had used municipal
trails in the past year and another two-thirds stated that a municipal trail was located
within a reasonable distance of their home. A similar number of respondents (68%) felt
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 21
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Four: Community Consultation Program
as though the Municipality should make the development of trails a higher priority, again
with over two-thirds (67%) of respondents stating that the Municipality needs more
recreational trails. Figure 3 illustrates the desired types of trails of those users.
Figure 3: Desired Trail Types
On -street bike lanes,
A0/ A0/
Ba
Mountain biking t
6%
Paved trails for walking
only, 11 %
Unpaved natu
hiking trails,
Iti-purpose
g, biking, in-
, etc.), 42%
A desire for additional spray pads is also apparent. If looking at age groups for the
Region of Durham, the largest age cohort is the 35-44 year old residents (Region of
Durham, 2004). Though this age structure must be interpreted cautiously in the context
of Clarington, data obtained from the Household Survey indicates that 34% of the
sample is aged 35 to 54 years while 29% is under the age of 15. The desire for spray
pads is prevalent due to this cohort being the typical age of young families, which is also
indicated by a large number of the population being under ten years of age.
The survey results also suggest that residents enjoy a number of active forms of
recreation like basketball, soccer and skateboarding, all of which received considerable
support. Baseball and softball, on the other hand, were not identified by the public as a
priority demand, with only 24% indicating that more diamonds are required.
Furthermore, there does not appear to be a great demand for BMX parks which may be
a result of the fact that only those over the age of 16 were able to response to the
survey.
Respondents were also asked whether or not Clarington should provide an off -leash
park for dogs and their owners. 65% supported this proposal (30% strongly agreed),
while 29% do not agree with the idea.
Municipality of Clarington — Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 22
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Four: Community Consultation Program
The surveyed residents felt as though the new facilities should be located in the
communities illustrated in Figure 4. It should be noted that the majority of respondents
were from Bowmanville (46%) followed by Courtice (22%) and Newcastle (15%). Recent
Canada Post data suggests that the proportion of households are located in the same
order as the sample and can thus be suggested to be representative.
Figure 4: Preferred Location of New Facilities in Clarington
Don't Know, 10%
NE
At existing park
Orono, 4
Central Locat
Wat
4.1.6 Key Survey Demographics
fmanville, 27%
Courtice, 17%
Key demographic data collected from the Household Survey sample include:
■ The average household size in Clarington is estimated to be 3.01 (2001 Census).
The survey average was 3.42 persons per household, suggesting that families
(particularly those with children) were slightly more predisposed to participate in the
survey. This is common in this type of market research.
■ The mean annual gross household income of respondents was close to $80,000.
■ The average age of respondents was 43.
■ The geographic distribution of responses is considered to be representative of
Clarington's population.
■ 58% of respondents were female and 42% were male.
Additionally, the 2001 population of Clarington was 69,800; this population is expected to
grow to 89,000 in 2011 and 116,700 by 2021 (Hemson, 2004). The average growth rate
projected for the period 2006 to 2031 is roughly 2.5%; the growth rate is projected to
decline in those years.
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 23
Final Report (June 2005)
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Section Four: Community Consultation Program
4.2 STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOP
A Stakeholder Workshop was held on Wednesday January 26, 2005. All major user
groups of municipally owned and/or maintained outdoor recreation facilities were invited
to attend this session in addition to being provided with a stakeholder survey for the
collection of group specific user information.
Critical to the success of determining a municipal -wide strategy for the provision of
outdoor recreation facilities in Clarington is understanding that key stakeholder groups
have direct and meaningful involvement in developing that strategy. This workshop
provided an opportunity for all groups in attendance to examine the results of the
Stakeholder Surveys received to date and provided the Consultant and the Municipality
with a key source of information regarding the current and future needs and use of
facilities in Clarington. The user group input also helps to provide an indication of
anticipated demand for new facilities and assists in identifying preferences with respect
to facility design as well as the location for new or upgraded facilities.
The workshop identified four topic areas for discussion.
1. Clarington-Specific Trends - what trends are you seeing locally?
2. Demand for Facilities — need for new and/or improved facilities?
3. Programming and Maintenance - are existing facilities adequate?
4. Tournaments and Special Events — are there adequate opportunities?
Seven groups including T-Ball, 4-Pitch, Slo-Pitch, Rep Ball, Soccer, Football and
Lacrosse were represented at the meeting. Their responses to the above questions are
documented in Appendix A and the key points are summarized below.
4.2.1 Locally Observed Trends
Soccer in the Municipality of Clarington appears to reflect provincial trends of
participation levelling off, however, there is a strong possibility that this is because of a
shortage in the supply of pitches. Demand is also evidenced by the 200 person waiting
list in 2004 which has doubled since the previous year while there was no waiting list in
2001. The participation numbers are highest among youth (over 15% of the players are
5-6 years old), however, there is a growing interest in adult soccer as well. Girl's soccer
for those aged between 7 and 21 years old is currently the fastest growing category.
Ball in the Municipality appears to be holding steady after experiencing decreased
participation in the past few years. After a period of decline, there has been an increase
in enrolment for T-Ball and 4-Pitch targeted to children 4 to 9 years old. Girl's Slo-Pitch
was identified as growing at a rate of 10% per year for the last three to four years with
the middle and older age groups having the largest numbers of players last year. It was
also indicated that the midget boy's teams were also taking 18-21 year olds due to
demand.
Football is also growing locally as the Clarington Tigercats club is becoming more
established while Clarington Minor Lacrosse indicates that they are observing a very
large growth as well.
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 24
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Four: Community Consultation Program
4.2.2 Demand for New and/or Improved Facilities
There is a need for additional soccer pitches as teams no longer are able to hold
practices. There is also a need for mini pitches as the Ontario Soccer Association has
mandated that ages under 10 years must play on mini fields. Representatives identified
that Lord Elgin Park has space that could be used for soccer but this requires conversion
of a tennis court that has not had nets for the past fifteen years.
On the other hand, ball has identified that the supply of diamonds is adequate, however,
the quality of the diamonds and their associated amenities needs improvement. Many
diamonds do not have washrooms and/or changerooms. There are also problems with
the quality of the turf, especially with diamonds that are property of the School Board.
Both football and field lacrosse do not have a dedicated municipal facility. In the case of
football, teams use St. Stephen's Highschool and sometimes the Rickard Complex. The
demand for an exclusive football field has led the Municipality to advise the club that a lit
football field will be ready in late 2007 or 2008. It is noted that Clarington recently
developed an outdoor "box lacrosse" facility in Bowmanville.
4.2.3 Programming, Maintenance and the Adequacy of Existing Facilities
Soccer users feel as though there are many turf quality issues with Municipal and School
Board pitches. Soccer is played twice a night between the months of May and
September. Scheduling conflicts result in user conflicts when ball and soccer share
facilities.
In the case of ball, drainage is the most common problem on most diamonds. Regular
maintenance such as grass cutting could also be improved and while school diamonds
are often used, they are undersized and not appropriate for play.
The football team indicates that it pays to maintain the St. Stephens football field. They
are also the only group in their league that does not have changeroom facilities.
4.2.4 Opportunities for Tournaments and Special Events
The South Courtice Arena has one new lit field with two more pitches planned which will
be positive in attracting tournaments. Lit fields are a significant boon to drawing
tournaments.
Ball tournaments usually require a multi -diamond facility to be successful and also need
to have amenities such as washrooms and changerooms available. As in the case of
soccer, lit diamonds are important to allow games to progress into the evening.
The greatest need for football tournament participants are washrooms and changerooms
as competitive teams will travel across the province to play.
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 25
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Four: Community Consultation Program
4.3 STAKEHOLDER SURVEY
In January of 2005, a survey was prepared in consultation with Municipal staff to collect
background information, statistical data and opinions from sports field user groups
throughout the Municipality of Clarington. The Consultant has worked to obtain the input
from the outstanding groups in order to ensure that the opinions and data of all sports
field user groups were considered in this analysis, however, many groups have yet to
complete the survey.
Consultation with key stakeholder/user groups was undertaken in order to obtain an
understanding of current and future facility requirements, issues needing to be
addressed and preferred future provision strategies. In total, 27 groups were sent a
questionnaire survey.
Although responses were received from most sporting activities, ball organizations
(which represented the most number of groups) provided only limited response to the
survey. The Consultant continues to make effort to encourage response from these
organizations. Appendix A shows a list of the users groups that were contacted.
Summaries of the group surveys are provided below and grouped according to
recreational activity.
4.3.1 Soccer
Darlington Soccer Club
The Darlington Soccer Club provides soccer programming for Clarington residents. The
organization has seen substantial growth in participation over the last number of years:
Year
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
Registrants
3,877
4,349
4,871
5,124
5,127
Although the growth in soccer appears to have leveled off, the group has indicated that
this is due to a capping of registration due to a lack of fields (they have had a waiting list
for the past two years - in the range of 300 people). With anticipation of additional fields
coming within the next two to three years in Clarington, the groups expects the
organization will again be able to grow and accommodate registrant demand. The
organization offers programs for ages 4 to adult as well as soccer camps, 2 rep.
Tournaments and coach/referee clinics.
The group's primary concern is a lack of fields (especially mini fields in the Newcastle,
Bowmanville and Courtice areas). Field condition is also an issue with a need for more
mowing, maintenance to deal with pot holes and more clearly marked field lining. The
club utilizes a wide range of fields throughout Clarington including a number of school
fields. In general, the organization has indicated that many of the fields are in fair to poor
condition. Overall, the group has indicated that they have access to 42 fields (2004) and
had 434 teams to accommodate on these fields - which the group indicates a lack of
sufficient fields. The group would like to see more mini fields - ideally 4 in Newcastle, 6
in Bowmanville and 6 in Courtice. Six additional full fields in Bowmanville and Courtice
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 26
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Four: Community Consultation Program
are also requested. The group has had an eight -year relationship with Ontario Power
Generation for use and maintenance of a number of soccer fields.
4.3.2 Ball
There are a number of ball leagues in Clarington, which found over 1,940 registrants in
total through the survey. The following user groups responded with the following
information:
Bowmanville Newcastle Baseball Association (BNBA)
The Bowmanville Newcastle Baseball Association had about 328 registrants in 2004
which they anticipate to increase over the next five years. They provide a variety of
baseball activities including Blastball, T-Ball, 4-Pitch, Rookie Ball and Hardball. They feel
that the diamond conditions for the 4-8 year olds need to be safer. BNBA feels that there
is a need to immediately maintain the Memorial Park and Soper Creek diamonds
following any rain as they were unusable two days later. All of the other diamonds they
use are of fair quality and generally meet the needs of the organization.
Clarington Boys Slo-Pitch League
Clarington Boys Slo-Pitch had 32 players in 2004 but were not operational this year. The
representative indicated that they played at Memorial Park and games were cancelled
due to flooding, which may have discouraged players from returning this season.
Clarington Girls Slo-Pitch Association (CGSPA)
The Clarington Girls Slo-Pitch Association (CGSPA) runs a house league for girls aged 7
to 25. The group expects registration to continue to increase due to the housing growth
in the area.
Year
2002
2003
2004
Total Registrants
250
270
290
The CGSPA feels as though the number of current facilities meets the needs of the
organization. They state that Newcastle and Courtice would benefit from new diamonds
and another diamond with lights would benefit them as well. The issue that the CGSPA
has is with the process of booking diamonds and the leagues that book diamonds but do
not use them which prohibits the CGSPA from accessing some facilities at certain times.
Clarington Ladies Slo-Pitch League
The Clarington Ladies Slo-Pitch league indicated that the number of teams has fallen
from 12 teams three years ago to 10 teams last year. The league caters to ages 19 and
over and they use about four different parks in Bowmanville and one in Newcastle. They
feel that lighting is an issue as two of their diamonds are unlit and other is poorly lit. They
are concerned that even though the town is constructing new diamonds, their group will
not be able to use them as children's teams are given priority.
Clarington Men's Master Slo-Pitch League
Clarington Men's Master Slo-Pitch League indicated that were about 112 players,
usually aged between 35 and 55 years. They are generally happy with the Rickards
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 27
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Four: Community Consultation Program
facilities and do not require any new facilities, however, flooding at Memorial Park was
mentioned to cause cancellations last year.
Clarington Orioles Baseball Association
The Clarington Orioles Baseball Association has five divisions which have had
registrations of 85 players in 2004, down from 100 players in 2003 and 2002. The
league's registration has dropped as a result of a lack of managers for teams. They feel
that registration will again increase in the next two years as they are in a rebuilding
phase. Their most pressing issue is the high user fee costs for tournaments which has
resulted in the league being unable to afford to host tournaments and increasing
registration costs. The diamonds utilized by the league include Bowmanville Memorial
Park North, Orono Park and Soper Creek Park which are rated as poor primarily due to
lack of lighting and restroom and some drainage issues. The league feels as though
their needs are not being met due to the inadequate facilities and proposes that three
new diamonds be placed in a central location. There are complaints that groups
allocated diamonds do not always use the fields. The overall number of ball diamonds
available appears sufficient
Courtice Park Baseball & Softball Association
The group has been around for about thirty years and offers programming to children
and young adults aged 3 to 21 years. Since 2002, the group has seen a modest
increase in T-Ball and 4-Pitch registration, a modest decrease in baseball and a
fluctuation in softball which last year saw a resurgence to 2002 participation level.
Year
2002
2003
2004
Total Registrants
326
325
331
They expect registration to continue to increase over the next five years and beyond.
Their most pressing concern is the lack of adequate washroom facilities at T-Ball/4-Pitch
diamonds, which also have severe mosquito -related problems and discourage children
from playing. They utilize a variety of diamonds, of which they rate Courtice North, St.
Warden and Monsignor Cleary School as being poor. Issues range from spectator
safety, poor drainage, unsatisfactory turf conditions, poor fencing, and inadequate
parking in addition to the washroom and mosquito issues. They identify that there are
user conflicts with basketball players at Stuart Park that have escalated to the point
where police were called.
The group feels as though the number of facilities currently being provided does not
meet their needs since it is difficult to host tournaments or recreational type events
without a double diamond complex. They suggest that Courtice Arena and Highland
Gardens would be a great place to hold tournaments. Additionally, they think it would be
a good idea if the town were to build a major storage facility and designate space for
every organization in town to help cut costs. The lower cost could be devoted to lowering
registration fees or providing better equipment. They currently have an agreement with
the Town on building a batting cage and storage facility.
Kendal Recreation Association
Established in 1970, the Kendall Recreation Association (KRA) has seen its registration
numbers grow modestly during the past three years. They feel that with the increased
housing construction, registration will continue to grow past the next five years.
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 28
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Four: Community Consultation Program
Year
2002
2003
2004
Total Re istrants
1354
150
165
KRA believes as though their needs are met by the number of existing facilities and do
not feel as though any new facilities are needed. Of the three diamonds that they use,
the north field of the community centre is of poor quality while the quality of the south
side diamond is fair.
Newcastle Slo-Pitch League
Newcastle Slo-Pitch Inc has 11 co-ed and 18 men's teams representing about 435
players. The age requirement is open but typically ranges from 18 to 50 years of age.
Participation has been stable over the last few years and that is expected to continue.
Currently the league uses the Rickard Complex. The maintenance at this facility is not
done frequently enough, especially in the spring as the work is contracted out. The
longer grass poses a safety hazard for the older players. Washroom facilities are
available inside the arena, however, that is some distance away and it is difficult to run
there and be back in time to play the game. The group indicated that it had donated
money which would look into washrooms on the playing field but there are still no
washrooms or changing facilities there.
Although the league plans to play at the Bowmanville Community Park near Green
Road, the representative felt as though it seemed too close to Highway 401. A perceived
safety issue was communicated due to the fact that players are using high quality bats
that could hit a ball out on to the highway.. The league does not feel as though they
require any new facilities and that the Town does a good job of looking after them.
North Durham Ladies Slo-Pitch League
North Durham Ladies Slo-Pitch league reported 75 participants; The Courtice Ladies
LobbBall team is part of this league and was established in 1990 and runs a recreational
team for women over 25 years of age. Their registration has held constant at 15 players
over the last three years and this is not expected to change for this team. They play one
game per week during May to August. The most pressing issue for them is they
represent Courtice yet their home park is in Bowmanville. The park itself lacks
washroom facilities however the condition of the diamond is satisfactory. They feel a
new diamond should be located in Courtice as currently they share the current park with
another team, which creates scheduling conflicts.
Oldtimer Service Club League
The Oldtimers Service Club League was established in 1980 and runs a league and
tournament for people over 30 years of age. The league has experienced a slight drop
in registration with 165 players in 2004 and 2003, down from 180 players in 2002. They
expect registration to remain stable past the next five years. Their only concern is the
lack of washroom facilities at the fields in which they play. Of the four diamonds that they
play at, Argent Park and Steward Park are rated as poor quality due to unfavourable
ground conditions. While they feel that the number of existing facilities is sufficient, the
league believes a new facility in Clarington would be beneficial.
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 29
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Four: Community Consultation Program
4.3.3 Lacrosse
Clarington Minor Lacrosse
The Clarington Minor Lacrosse organization had 630 participants in 2004 (570 indoor
and 60 field). Field lacrosse appears to have been a new program offering in 2004. In
2002 there were 370 participants and in 2003 there were 540 participants in indoor
lacrosse in Clarington. Age groups were generally 4-16 years old. The group expects to
continue to grow particularly over the next 5 years. The group has indicated a lack of
outdoor sports fields to meet their needs - they currently use a ball diamond field at the
Rickard Complex site which is not considered adequate for their needs. Initially the
group would like allocation of one field with change facilities (ideally in the Bowmanville
area) for their organization. The group would like to develop a house league field
lacrosse program in 2006 but requires allocation of sports fields in order to provide such
a program.
4.3.4 Football
Clarington Tigercats Football Club
The Clarington Tigercats Football Club provides football programming in Clarington. The
club has seen continued growth in participant levels over the last few years - 86 (2002);
118 (2003); and 163 (2004). Participants have generally been aged 7 to 16 but a 17 to
20 year old program is desired for 2005. As the farthest club east of Toronto, the
organization expects to continue to draw participants from a wide territory (and they
expect participation in their organization to continue to grow in future years (if fields
become available to accommodate their needs). Football is played from May to
November each year but some practice time is beginning as early as March. The most
pressing need of this group is allocation of a sports field suitable for football (with
bleachers/spectator seating and change/storage facilities). Currently the group relies
upon the St. Stephens Secondary School field for their programming - they consider the
field quality to be fair although the group is responsible for maintenance in exchange for
use of the facility (a lack of bleachers, changerooms, storage and water fountain were all
indicated as issues). For the 2005 season, access to the school facility may not be
accommodated by the School Board which will result in the organization not having
access/allocation of any sports fields in Clarington. At present, the club indicates that
they require allocation of one field (with lighting).
4.3.6 Tennis
Bowmanville Tennis Club
The Bowmanville Tennis Club has approximately 140 members which has fluctuated
over the past couple of years attributed to changing demographics and the transient
nature of the community. The club is non-profit, open for membership to the general
public and draws members from as far away as Newcastle, Oshawa and Ajax with the
membership fees paying for facilities. There are approximately 30 children under the age
of 14 that are registered along with 20 families and the balance of registrants consist of
singles and couples. In an effort to encourage more youth participation, the Club has
traditionally offered low annual membership dues for children which includes lessons, in
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 30
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Four: Community Consultation Program
addition to running summer day camps. The representative foresees an increase in the
demand for tennis, especially considering the large number of university aged
participants registered with the Club in the 1980s will be returning with their children.
The Club plays at the Clarington Beech Centre which it has used for the past sixty years
(including some time at the Lions Club). They feel as though the quality of the courts is
excellent here and they state that their members love the facility and take pride in it.
They feel as though there is a sufficient number of courts in Clarington, however, there is
not an adequate number of quality or properly maintained courts. At one time,
consideration was given to moving the courts, however, the Club does not agree with
this because the quality of the courts at the Beech Centre is unmatched and there is a
history and tradition associated with the current location. The representative indicated
that he estimated it would cost $200,000 in 1998 to provide a similar quality court
elsewhere, not including the engineering difficulties associated with constructing these
delicate courts.
The Club's most pressing need is washroom facility as they do not have one unless the
Clarington Beech Centre is open; in fact, one member allows people to use the
washroom in his home. They host between seven and nine tournaments per year and
need washrooms. A club house would be desirable, along with bleachers for spectators
located on the park side of the courts, but the representative emphasized that only
washrooms were the priority need (which could be provided by allowing restricted
access into the Beech Centre or converting an old garage at the back of the site). The
Club also stated that they pay municipal taxes yet they do not have a water hookup and
their lighting was paid by members.
4.3.6 Cricket
Trailblazers United Cricket Club
The Trailblazers United Cricket Club reported 30 members in 2004 (up from 25 in 2003
and 18 in 2002) and expect rvistration numbers to increase past the next five years.
The cricket team plays in the 3 Division of the Toronto & District Cricket Association as
well as providing year-round coaching clinics. There is no facility available for use in
Clarington so they rent the cricket field from the Markham Cricket Association, which is a
fair distance away. At the Markham facility, the team shares with other teams which has
created scheduling. The Trailblazers feel as though they require a facility in Clarington,
preferably with close access to Highway 401.
4.4 PUBLIC MEETING
A public meeting was held in May 2005 to present the preliminary needs assessment for
public and stakeholder/user group comment. Although few attended the meeting, there
were representatives of soccer and a couple of ball leagues in attendance. Overall, there
appeared to be support for the determination of ball and soccer field requirements.
Comments on ball diamonds centred on the need for quality facilities designed for the
type of ball being played and for the various age of participants. There were also
comments received that supported the continued development of the trail system -
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 31
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Four: Community Consultation Program
although proper design and a need for on -going policing were identified as
considerations of both existing opportunities and future expansions.
4.5 SUMMARY OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION
The household survey revealed a number of key preferences for the residents of
Clarington. Given the nature of the family structure on both a Regional and Municipal
level, it appears as though activities geared to families are of prime importance today.
The recreational activity that most people pursued was leisure walking and the most
desired facilities were in the form of recreational and nature pathways and trails, while
children's waterplay areas were also heavily demanded.
The stakeholder workshops and surveys determined that there are many participants in
soccer, especially at a youth level and there is a shortage of available pitches. Ball
participation remained stable and it was deemed that there is an adequate supply of
diamonds. The quality of most facilities was brought into question, especially with
regards to turf conditions and drainage issues. The public consultation also revealed that
football and lacrosse participation has been steadily growing despite a lack of dedicated
facilities for each. In order for any outdoor facility to have tournament capabilities, they
must be lit and be equipped with washroom and changing facilities
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 32
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Five: Outdoor Facility Inventory & Analysis
Section 5: OUTDOOR FACILITY INVENTORY & ANALYSIS
5.1 FIELD SPORTS
The methodological approach for projecting the need for outdoor facilities was calculated
by applying current participation rates specific to age categories towards the forecasted
age structure. Based upon this and results of the public input, facility -specific provision
standards were generated. This indication of the required number of fields was then
subtracted from the number of existing facilities in the Municipality of Clarington in order
to arrive at a surplus or deficit in provision.
5.1.1 Soccer Fields
Inventory
There are 38 soccer pitches of varying sizes within municipal parks (of which three are
lit). For the purposes of this document, a lit field is counted as a factor of two because
the field can accommodate evening play, thus the supply of soccer pitches is 41. Table 1
contains a summary of the soccer area by service area and by field type, assuming a
2004 population of 79,586. Clarington also rents fields from seven schools for soccer,
bringing the total supply to 48 soccer pitches.
Table 5-1: Soccer Field Distribution
Community
Lit (x2)
Unlit
Total
Per
Capita*
Full Soccer Fields
3 6
15
21
3,790
Bowmanville
2 4
6
10
3,112
Courtice
1 2
3
5
4,538
Newcastle
-
1
1
7,846
Rural
-
5
5
3,229
Intermediate Soccer Fields
2
2
39,793
Rural
2
2
8,074
Mini Soccer Fields
18
18
4,421
Bowmanville
12
12
2,593
Courtice
3
3
7,564
Rural
3
3
5,383
Municipal Fields
41
1,808
School Fields
7
TOTAL FIELDS 48 1,560
Note: Lit sports fields are counted as being the equivalent of two unlit sports
fields as they provide increased opportunity for programming (scheduling) of
time slots into the evening. Numbers shown in parenthesis ()-are the equivalent
number of unlit fields.
* Per capita provision is based on the Municipality's 2004 population of 79,586.
Public Input
Stakeholder Opinion for Facilities: High Need / High Demand
Household Opinion for Facilities: Moderate Demand
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 33
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Five: Outdoor Facility Inventory & Analysis
With anticipation of additional fields coming within the next 2 to 3 years in Clarington, the
Darlington soccer club expects that the organization will again be able to grow and
accommodate registrant demand. The club's primary concern is a lack of fields
(especially mini fields in the Newcastle, Bowmanville and Courtice areas) along with the
quality of the pitches. The club uses a wide range of fields including a number of school
fields. The club would like to see more mini fields - ideally 4 in Newcastle, 6 in
Bowmanville and 6 in Courtice — in addition to six full fields in Bowmanville and Courtice.
According to the household survey, 40% of respondents had one or more member
participating in soccer, making this the most popular organized sport in Clarington. 38%
felt that additional soccer fields are needed, ranking behind only trails, spray pads and
basketball courts.
Analysis
The Darlington Soccer Club has seen substantial growth in participation since the year
2000. Although the growth in soccer appears to have leveled off in 2004, the group has
indicated that this is due to a capping of registration due to a lack of fields. They have
had a waiting list for the past two years in the range of 300 people, of which about one-
third are on a waiting list for mini fields.
Table 5-2: Darlinaton Soccer Club Annual Particination
.Year
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
Youth 5-18 rs
3,605
3,772
4,355
4,569
4,521
Growth rate
-
4.6%
15.5%
4.9%
-1.1 %
Adult 19+ rs
272
477
516
555
606
Growth Rate
-
75.4%
8.2%
7.6%
9.2%
Total Registration
3,877
4,349
4,871
5,124
5,127
Growth Rate
-
12.2%
12.0%
5.2% 1
0.06%
As shown in Appendix B, Municipal data indicates that 3400 hours were charged to
soccer field rental in 2004, up almost 200 hours from the previous year. The revenue
from soccer more than doubled to almost $29,000. There is currently excess demand for
soccer in Clarington.
The prime demographic for soccer is 5 to 19 year olds and a significant percentage of
registrants in Clarington fall under this category. This cohort is expected to moderately
increase over the next fifteen years and will account for roughly a quarter of the
population in 2021. For this reason, it is necessary to project the number of needed
fields on this age cohort.
Table 5-3 indicates that there is a current shortage of mini fields, as stated by the soccer
club. The number of existing mini fields is 18 and results in a current shortage of 6 fields.
This shortage is projected to increase to 18 fields by 2021 assuming no new fields are
added in this time. Table 5-3 also indicates a current shortage of 13 full sized soccer
pitches based upon the provision standard. Due to the projected higher numbers of
adults in the community, adult soccer participation will increase from 700 to over 1,100
players between 2006 and 2021.
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 34
Final Report (June 2005)
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Section Five: Outdoor Facility Inventory & Analysis
Table 5-3: Projected Soccer Field Needs
SOCCER
Year
2004
2006
2011
2016
2021
MINI FIELDS (ages 5-10
Participant Numbers*
11938
1,998
2,193
2,513
2,919
Provision Standard
1 field
er 80 participants
Number of Fields Required
24.2
25.0
27.4
31.4
36.5
Number of Existing Fields
18
18
18
18
18
Fields in Deficit
6.2
7.0
9.4
13.4
18.5
FULL-SIZE/INTERMEDIATE FIELDS (ages 11+
Youth 11 to 18 years)*
2,793
3,018
3,118
3,142
3,440
Adults 19+ *
696
752
875
1,014
1,157
Participant Numbers
3,489
3,770
3,993
4,156
4,597
Provision Standard
1 field
er 80 participants
Number of Fields Required
43.6
47.1
49.9
51.9
57.5
Number of Existing Fields**
30
30
30
30
30
Fields to be rested annual)
Fields in Deficit
13.6
17.1
19.9
21.9
27.5
* Includes waiting list
** School fields assumed to be full sized/intermediate
Note: Mini field users calculated` as approximatel 40% of Youth
participants
The demand for mini fields, as indicated by the Darlington Soccer Club, can be
addressed in a variety of ways. Full size fields can be used as two mini fields, which will
accommodate mini field users in the short-term but then also be of significant value once
the younger population ages and requires full size fields. Providing additional full size
pitches may also act to increase adult participation levels in the Municipality, especially
as population growth occurs and diversifies the community profile through in -migration.
Long-term demand measured by per capita for soccer is expected remain relatively
steady as participation rates are beginning to stabilize; however, overall demand will
likely increase because of the projected population growth in Clarington. The demand for
soccer fields is supplemented by the Household Survey, which found that 38% of
households expressed a need for more of these facilities. There is a need to increase
the supply of soccer pitches in order to address the current and future demand.
Potential Strategies
The soccer club reports that they observed a net loss of playable fields in 2004, with
nine fields removed from use (due to expired leases, poor quality, conflicts, etc) while
only two new fields were added. The Municipality should consider replacing lost fields
with either a new pitch elsewhere or enhancing or lighting an existing pitch.
With the number of current deficiencies, a range of solutions can be applied. There is an
under -supply of facilities as it relates to soccer which can be addressed by increasing
the number of fields. This will help to ensure that a certain number of fields can be
"resting" or can be periodically removed from the inventory for more extensive field
maintenance, the soccer field inventory should be increased.
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 35
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Five: Outdoor Facility Inventory & Analysis
There are only three lit fields in the Municipality which limit the number of potential hours
that can be played. Installing lighting on existing fields will help to extend the hours of
use and reduce the number of new pitches that are needed. Provision of quality turf with
proper drainage also allows for extended usage of pitches and will help alleviate the
need for finding new sites to construct additional soccer fields.
Additionally, expanding the five-day soccer schedule to seven days is a trend that many
municipalities are moving towards, however there is still a preference for the traditional
Monday to Thursday schedule. A recent Sports Field Study for Ottawa showed that there
was a tremendous difference in weekend versus weekday usage for ball and soccer
fields (e.g. for soccer 86% usage during weekdays, compared to 31 % usage during
weekends). Increased weekend usage of sports fields is a strategy being adopted to
meet the demand for fields. Field scheduling is also an important element of demand
management. Scheduling more than one team practice on larger fields and establish a
two game per night schedule to increase the number of available time slots. It is
essential that the Municipality be aware of practice and game field schedules.
The conversion of baseball diamonds is another opportunity to relocate uses, as trends
indicate that baseball is declining in popularity and participation. Other opportunities may
include the provision of dedicated indoor soccer facilities (as was recently constructed in
Bowmanville) or conversion of existing community centres/arenas as trends indicate that
indoor soccer has gained popularity in recent years.
Recommended Standards
The Municipality is recommended to adopt the following standards with regards to
soccer facilities:
Table 5-4: Soccer Pitch Standards
Classification
Preferred Dimension
Mini Soccer
40m X 70m plus 6m buffer
Regulation (Multi-Purpose/Full) Soccer
60m X 100m plus 6m buffer
It is recommended that the Municipality also establish a "universal" template for new
fields. Participants are playing on fields which are inappropriately sized for their age and
level of play. Clarington should develop a sports field template which would facilitate
future field conversions, either from one sport to another or from one level of play to
another (e.g. mini to intermediate).
The Municipality must provide appropriate setbacks from soccer facilities. Soccer fields
generally draw many spectators requiring parking. In the case of lit pitches, the lights are
very bright and are illuminated until late into the evening to meet the demand for
facilities. Such considerations are needed to ensure that appropriate setbacks are
created to buffer residential areas from noise associated with games, bright lights in the
evening and parked vehicles.
Required Amenities
Consideration must be paid to field quality in order to provide useable facilities to prevent
damage and reduce injury potential. Establishing an ongoing program of field renovation,
including installing irrigation systems, will ensure a positive supply of quality fields.
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 36
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Five: Outdoor Facility Inventory & Analysis
Providing lit facilities will increase the hours of available play, thus install lighting at
soccer fields is suggested. Most field locations have the potential to be lit with the
exception of neighbourhood -level facilities. The need for lighting is also applicable to
football, ball and multi -purpose facilities.
5.1.2 Ball Diamonds
Existing Inventory
There are a total of 36 ball diamonds, of which 26 are for softball, in the Municipality.
Like soccer fields, baseball diamonds with lights can accommodate extended playing
hours and are considered to be the equivalent of two diamonds, thus raising the supply
to 45 diamonds. Table 5-4 contains a summary of the ball facilities by service area and
by diamond type, assuming a 2004 population of 79,586. Clarington also rents 8
diamonds from schools for ball; therefore, there are 51 ball diamonds available for use
(not including practice diamonds).
Table 5-5 also shows that over half of the ball diamonds in the Municipality are located in
Bowmanville. Courtice has only one diamond that is suitable for baseball despite its
large population base and considering that it has three times the population of
Newcastle which also has one baseball diamond.
Table 5-5: Ball Diamond Distribution
Communi
Lit x2
Unlit
Total
Per Capita*
Baseball Diamonds
4 8
4
12
6,632
Bowmanville
3 6
1
7
4,445
Courtice
-
1
1
22,691
Newcastle
-
1 1
1 1
1 7,846
Rural
12
1
3
5,383
Softball Diamonds
5 10
21
31
2,567
Bowmanville
5 10
11
21
1,482
Courtice
-
5
5
4,538
Newcastle
-
1
1
7,846
Rural
-
4
4
4,037
Practice/Scrub Diamonds
2
2
39,793
Rural
2
2
8,074
Municipal Diamonds
43
1,851
School Diamonds
8
TOTAL DIAMONDS
51
1,560
Note: Lit sports fields are counted as being the equivalent of two unlit sports
fields as they provide increased opportunity for programming (scheduling) of
time slots into the evening. Numbers shown in parenthesis () are the equivalent
number of unlit fields.
* Per capita provision is based on the Municipality's 2004 population of 79,586.
Public Input
Stakeholder Opinion for Facilities: Low Need / Moderate Demand
Household Opinion for Facilities: Low Demand
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 37
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Five: Outdoor Facility Inventory & Analysis
Ball user groups are largely concerned about the quality and maintenance of the fields,
especially regarding drainage issues at diamonds such as Bowmanville Memorial Park.
Lighting is another concern with there being either no lighting or the lighting is insufficient
or incorrectly placed. A lack of on -field facilities such as washrooms and change rooms
was another common complaint. Most user groups stated that they were content with the
number of diamonds available for use in Clarington.
26% of households surveyed had one or more members participating in baseball or
softball over the past year. Another 24% of households felt additional ball facilities were
needed, however, only 8% considered such facilities to be a priority.
Analysis
Despite national and provincial trends that have observed considerable declines in
baseball and softball registration in recent years, the number of participants in the
Municipality of Clarington appears to have remained relatively stable. This may be due
to the high proportion of people aged 35 years and above, which is the key demographic
for softball especially. Youth baseball in Clarington appears to be declining and as the
older demographic continues to age, it is anticipated that participation in ball will also
decline in the future.
Baseball is primarily a youth sport with youths and teens constituting 572 of the 674 total
registrants. Stakeholder consultations revealed that two of the three baseball
organizations reported modest increases in their registration numbers.
Table 5-6: Ball User Group Participation
Age Group
3-9 10-19 20-34 35-54 Total
Baseball
Clarington Orioles
-
85
-
-
85
Courtice Park Baseball &
Softball Association*
13
64
19
-
96
BNBA
227
101
-
-
328
Kendal Rec Assoc.*
41
41
41
42
165
Total Baseball
281
291
60
42
674
Softball/Slo-Pitch
Clarington Girls Slo-Pitch
45
155
90
-
290
Clarington Boys Slo-Pitch*
11
11
10
-
32
Clarington Men's Master
Slo-Pitch
-
-
-
112
112
Count Men's LobbBall
-
38
37
75
Courtice Park Baseball &
Softball Association*
181
42
12
-
235
Newcastle Slo-Pitch
-
26
149
260
435
North Durham Slo-Pitch*
-
-
38
37
75
Oldtimers Service Club
-
-
30
135
165
Total Softball
237
234
367
581
1,419
TOTAL BALL
518
525
427
623
2,093
*Age Groups not specific, therefore, uniform distribution assumed
As the age structure would reflect, there are far more registered softball and slo-pitch
players with 1,419 registrants in 2004. Many of the Slo-Pitch user groups reported that
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 38
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Five: Outdoor Facility Inventory & Analysis
their registration numbers were either stable or slightly declining which may be attributed
to a `retiring' of older players.
Based on these assumptions of participation, Table 5-7 shows the projected need for
baseball and softball. Currently there is a surplus of 5 baseball and 16 softball diamonds,
a total of 21 diamonds. The 51 diamonds currently available or even the 44 municipally
operated ball diamonds (not including school and scrub diamonds) are far more than
needed and indicates a significant oversupply of ball diamonds that could be put to other
uses. Even the common provision standard for many communities of one diamond per
5000 residents applied to Clarington, whose 2004 population is 79,586, translates into a
need for only about 16 total diamonds.
Table 5-7: Projected Ball Diamond Need
BALL
Year
2004
2006
2011
2016
2021
Baseball
Participant Numbers
674
711
771
845
953
Provision Standard
1 diamondper
100 partici ants
Number of Fields Required-
6.7
7.1
7.7
8.4
9.5
Number of Existing Fields
12
12
12
12
12
Fields in Surplus
5.3
4.9
4.3
3.6
2.5
Softball
Participant Numbers
1,419
1,506
1,670
1,845
1 2,038
Provision Standard
1 diamondper
100 partici ants
Number of Fields Required
14.2
15.1
16.7
18.4
20.4
Number of Existing Fields
31
31
31
31
31
Fields in Surplus
16.8
15.9
14.3
12.6
10.6
Note: Practice and school diamonds not included
As shown in Appendix B, demand for ball diamonds in terms of facility usage slightly
declined to 3,509 hours in 2004, by about only 15 total hours from the previous year.
The Municipality reports that overall revenue from outdoor facilities (including ball,
soccer and special events) was down about $1,500 for the year because fields were
closed to due higher than usual precipitation. Improving drainage and/or installing
artificial turf at such facilities, where applicable, may help to reduce the number of rain -
outs.
Potential Strategies
Given that there is an excess of ball facilities in the Municipality of Clarington, the notion
of converting some of these diamonds into other recreational uses should be
considered. There is significant demand for other sports such as soccer, lacrosse and
football which could be met by reallocating space away from ball diamonds. From an
economic point of view, the Municipality may be able to provide less expensive uses by
diverting the unnecessary operating expenses away from ball. It has been observed
province -wide that ball registration has declined partly due to the popularity of soccer,
and with a current shortage of 19 soccer pitches, the extra ball diamonds could help
alleviate this shortage. For these reasons, it is recommended that the Municipality
decommission some of its poorer quality and/or poorly located ball diamonds to allow the
land to be used for alternative uses.
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 39
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Five: Outdoor Facility Inventory & Analysis
When considering which diamonds to decommission or redeveloped for other uses, the
following criteria (among others) should be considered during the decision -making
process:
• Are there any better quality diamonds in the immediate areas (e.g. within
approximately 800m)? Are there any multiple diamond sites within 1.5km?
• Are there any schools in the area that provide practice diamonds? Are the
appropriate agreements in place with school boards to ensure that the community
can use these diamonds? What is the condition of the diamond and what resources
would it take to rehabilitate it?
• What level of usage does the diamond attract in its current state?
• Is the site suitable for conversion to soccer fields?
• How many children/youth live in the area?
• What other uses are in the park and would a new use better complement the existing
facilities?
Despite the oversupply of diamonds, there remains a need to ensure that existing
diamonds are maintained and enhanced to a level that is suitable to meet the changing
needs of baseball and softball in the Municipality. Rather than the quantity of diamonds,
enhancing the quality of the sites is much more efficient in the long-term. Considering
the majority of diamond users are older, they demand and require higher standards for
surfaces especially to prevent injuries. Selective improvement to ball diamonds would
increase the number of suitable diamonds available for play. Field quality is an issue in
Clarington and throughout the Province.
Toumament Facilities are important and Clarington has the potential to convert an
existing facility into a tournament facility in order to capitalize on the growing economic
spin-offs associated with the tourism potential. The Bowmanville Community Park has
clustered ball diamonds (two lit baseball and two lit softball diamonds) that could serve
as a tournament facility when it opens for its inaugural season in late 2005.
Recommended Standards
Table 5-8 illustrates the recommended standards to be applied to ball facilities.
Table 5-8: Ball Diamond Standards
Classification
Minimum Dimensions
Preferred Dimensions
Baseball Diamond
91.4 m / 300 ft
106.6m / 350 ft
I
Softball / Slo-Pitch Diamond
76.2 m / 250 ft
91.4m / 300 ft
The Municipality must provide appropriate setbacks as safety is a key consideration for
ball diamonds to ensure that balls are not being hit into residential and commercial areas
or into traffic on the roadways, in addition to the lighting and noise considerations.
Recommended Amenities
Lighting of ball diamonds is recommended in order to extend adult play late into the
evenings and accommodate the increased usage as ball diamonds are utilized more
frequently. Lighting should only be installed in District or Community Parks to minimize
the disturbance to residential areas.
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 40
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Five: Outdoor Facility Inventory & Analysis
For diamonds that are anticipated to see increased usage due to the reallocation of
other diamonds, it is suggested that washroom and/or changing facilities be constructed.
Other amenities that could be added are dugouts or benches, bleachers and/or outfield
fencing wherever the Municipality deems appropriate.
5.1.3 Football Fields
I nventory
There are no dedicated municipal football fields in Clarington, however, the Clarington
Tigercats Football Club currently uses the St. Stephens Secondary School in
Bowmanville.
Public Input
Stakeholder Opinion for Facilities: High Need / Moderate Demand
Household Opinion for Facilities: Low Demand
The Clarington Tigercats Football Club most pressing need is allocation of a sports field
suitable for football (with bleachers/spectator seating and change/storage facilities). At
present, the club indicates that they require allocation of one field (with lighting).
Currently the group relies upon the St. Stephens Secondary School field for their
programming; the field quality is considered to be fair although the group is responsible
for maintenance in exchange for use of the facility. The club indicates that some of the
issues include a lack of bleachers, change rooms, storage and a water fountain. For the
2005 season, access to the school facility may not be accommodated by the School
Board which will result in the organization not having access/allocation of any sports
fields in Clarington.
Analysis
The Clarington Tigercats Football Club has participants who are generally aged 7 to 16
but a 17 to 20 year old program is desired for 2005. As the further club east of Toronto,
the organization expects to continue to draw participants from a wide territory (and they
expect participation in their organization to continue to grow in future years (if fields
become available to accommodate their needs).
The football club's registration numbers have increased in all divisions since 2002. The
current demand is one field which should be sufficient until 2016 after which two fields
would be sufficient well into the future. Additionally, the football club is adding a division
for 17 to 20 year olds in 2005, therefore, projected demand will be slightly higher
depending on the number of additional registrants.
Table 5-9: Proiected Football Field Need
Football
2004
2006
2011
2016
2021
Youth 7-12
77
81
87
94
107
Teen 13-17
86
93
96
97
106
Total
163
174
1 183
1 191
213
Provision Standard
1 field per 100 partici
ants
Fields Required
1.6
1.7
1.8
1.9
2.1
Existing Fields
0
0
0
0
0
Field Deficit
1.6
1.7
1.8
1.9
2.1
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 41
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Five: Outdoor Facility Inventory & Analysis
Football representatives have indicated that the Municipality has advised them that a
football field is being planned to be available for use in late 2007 or 2008. Assuming this
provision occurs on schedule, it will generally satisfy the short-term need for about eight
years after which an additional field will be needed (assuming that the existing school
facility also continues to remain accessible to the group). It is also recommended that
the Municipality begin to look at the feasibility of constructing a multi -use facility that can
be shared among football and lacrosse users. Football and lacrosse use similar field
types and dimensions and their current scheduling conflicts arise primarily because the
closest field types are those used by the heavily demanded soccer pitches.
Potential Strategies
Joint usage of fields for soccer, football and lacrosse are one means to accommodate
football in Clarington, however, due to the uncertainty of how much time will be allocated
to each sport on a field a population based provision standard is not recommended for
football. Although the club has expressed desire for an exclusive football facility, the
sport's short season usually reduces the viability for this option. The Tigercats begin
practicing in March and usage carries through until November, therefore, a potential
facility could be utilized for nine months of the year and given the oversupply of baseball
diamonds, it may not be unreasonable to dedicating a site specific to football
requirements.
Artificial turf could be a benefit, either at an exclusive facility or at St. Stephens
Secondary School. Over the past decade, artificial turf quality has significantly been
improved to accommodate year-round activities and avoid closures due to heavy usage
and inclement weather. A joint use agreement could be negotiated with the school board
that involves the turf as an incentive to allow football to continue to grow. With football
participation projected to grow, exclusively utilizing the high school facility may be
sufficient for the short term but will likely cause scheduling conflicts as the Football Club
grows and the school has to dedicate additional time to activities for the increasing
student population.
Another option could include a multi -sport complex that caters to the `growing' sports
such as football, field hockey and lacrosse. The cost of such a new facility would be
significant, however, it is a feasible option to provide facilities to the multiple sports that
are currently growing in registrants.
Recommended Standards
The recommended standards for football facilities are shown in Table 5-10.
Table 5-10: Football Field Standards
Classification
Preferred Dimensions
Football Field
59.4m X 100.5m / 65 X 110 yards
plus end zones
It is suggested that the Municipality, in consultation with user groups, designate multi-
purpose fields that are capable of serving a variety of sporting activities including field
lacrosse, soccer and football. While game play may require additional amenities or
special layout (e.g. goal posts, lining etc), multi -purpose fields can help out for practice
time. It would be valuable to ensure that new multi -purpose fields are designed with a
template that can accommodate a variety of sports including field lacrosse and rugby.
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 42
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Five: Outdoor Facility lnventory & Analysis
As with soccer pitches, appropriate setbacks are needed to ensure that residential areas
are buffered from noise associated with games, bright lights in the evening and parked
vehicles.
Required Amenities
It is recommended that the Municipality of Clarington investigate the feasibility of
Artificial Turf for a multi -purpose outdoor field. The municipality already has experience
in this area having provided artificial turf in the new indoor soccer facility in Bowmanville.
Estimates for artificial turf range from $850,000 (Mississauga estimate amortized over a
twelve year period) to $1 million. The City of Guelph's early estimate for adding artificial
turf at a football field is in the range of $500,000 to $1 million while the City of Port
Coquitlam's Sport Field Strategy, provides a cost estimate in the range of $1.3 million for
the artificial turf on a premier field. The cost of developing a premier natural turf sports
field is in the range of $500,000 (including lighting). Although the capital cost for artificial
turf is higher, these fields require little maintenance and hold up to inclement weather
conditions. Artificial turf fields have a longer season and a greater number of potential
permits than can be issued compared to a grass field. A City of Mississauga study
suggests that the number of games that could be accommodated on an artificial turf
system is almost double that which could be accommodated on grass. Based on our
preliminary investigation, it is a system which has merit assuming that groups are willing
to pay higher user fees for the use of the field.
While artificial turf is an expensive option, it is clearly the best one for football. The
Bowmanville Community Park represents the best opportunity for artificial turf, as plans
already call for a Canadian regulation football field. Field lacrosse and soccer users
could also benefit from a facility with artificial turf.
Lighting fields will allow for evening uses, especially important since the majority of
football players are in school during the day and the season takes place during the fall
when night sets earlier. Consideration should be given to increasing the supply of
lighted, multi -purpose fields available to football as well as lacrosse and soccer. A
certain number of fields in the Municipality's inventory should be designated multi-
purpose to ensure equity of access amongst minor level players in particular. Lighted
fields to accommodate games and practices will be needed if the growth in Clarington's
minor football program continues.
5.1.4 Lacrosse
Inventory
There are currently no dedicated outdoor field lacrosse facilities in the Municipality of
Clarington, however, there is one recently constructed outdoor Box for Box Lacrosse.
Public Input
Stakeholder Opinion for Facilities: High Need / Moderate Demand
Household Opinion for Facilities: Low Demand
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 43
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Five: Outdoor Facility Inventory & Analysis
The Clarington Minor Lacrosse has indicated that there are insufficient outdoor sports
fields to meet their needs, partly a result of many fields being devoted to soccer usage.
They currently use a ball diamond field at the Rickard Complex which is not considered
adequate for lacrosse. The group feels as though they would require one field,
preferably in Bowmanville which is central to their jurisdiction. The household survey
revealed that field and box lacrosse ranked above only lawn bowling and cricket as
desired facilities, which may stem from the fact that there are insufficient outdoor
facilities. However, indoor lacrosse has close to 600 registrants which has increased
over the past few years, and may provide a better indication for demand for this sport as
detailed in the analysis.
Only 5% of households reported that one or more of their members had participated in
field lacrosse in the past year, ranking only ahead of box lacrosse (4%), lawn bowling
and cricket. Field lacrosse facilities were not indicated as a desired need in any of the
households.
Analysis
Lacrosse has been growing in popularity in Clarington. While most of the growth has
occurred in indoor lacrosse, this may be due to the fact that there are no outdoor venues
on which to play. While outdoor lacrosse numbers have been increasing, box lacrosse
has also been gaining popularity in the Municipality. Field lacrosse is projected to
increase only modestly from its current 60 registrants, adding only 24 new players by
2021; however, this does not take into account that there are no facilities at which to
play, which could substantially increase interest and participation.
The field lacrosse season starts early (end of April) and creates major field maintenance
issues for communities with significant field lacrosse demand including Oshawa,
Brampton and Kitchener. Providing a multi -purpose facility for field lacrosse could bring
players in from Oshawa and generate additional revenue for Clarington. Additionally, the
shortage of suitable tournament quality facilities for field lacrosse is a key issue in
Brampton and Guelph. For competitive field lacrosse, much of the play takes place in a
tournament situation.
Potential Strategies
The demand for lacrosse could potentially be supplied through agreements with the
school board to utilize field space on their property. Additionally, lacrosse appears to
have the same issues as football and, therefore, a multi -use facility dedicated to both
sports (and/or any other sport deemed appropriate) would be an option worthy of
consideration.
Recommended Standards
Although dedicated lacrosse fields are not need at this time, the recommended standard
illustrated in Table 5-11 is almost identical to a football field except the width is about 5m
less. Lacrosse and football can thus be played on the same field and a multi -purpose
field would cater to both sports for the near future.
Table 5-11: Lacrosse Field Standards
Classification Preferred Dimensions
Outdoor Lacrosse Field 54.8m X 100.5m / 60 X 110 yards
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 44
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Five: Outdoor Facility Inventory & Analysis
Required Amenities
Same as football (see section 5.1.4).
5.1.5 Rugby
Inventory
There are no dedicated rugby fields that are operated by the Municipality.
Public Input
Of the 384 households, only one reported a household member participating in rugby
and one household desired additional rugby facilities.
Analysis
Province -wide trends indicate that there is not a strong demand for rugby and it does not
appear that the sport is popular in Clarington as well. The demand for rugby should be
satisfied by existing sports fields and/or any new multi -use facility built for football and
lacrosse. On -going monitoring of rugby's popularity should be carried out by the
Municipality to ensure that rugby field demand is recognized, should there be an
increase in interest in this activity.
Recommended Standard
Should a rugby field be needed i
100m, which can be shared with
larger than a football/lacrosse field)
5.1.6 Cricket
n the future, the recommended standard is 65m X
soccer pitch or a multi -purpose field (that is slightly
Cricket is not as popular as any other sport in Clarington, with only 1 % of household
survey respondents indicating that they or someone in their household had participated
in the sport during the past year. Cricket is not a traditional sport and the fact that there
are no facilities to play the game contributes to its low visibility and participation. The
local cricket club feels as though the popularity of the sport is increasing and provision of
a facility will help boost membership as well.
Despite cricket's growing popularity in the Municipality, the thirty players currently
registered with the Trailblazers United Cricket Club is not enough to substantiate a
dedicated cricket pitch. In the meantime, it may be possible to schedule cricket in on a
multi -purpose sports field. Should the sport continue to grow and if the Trailblazers
approach the Municipality in the future, it is encouraged that municipal staff facilitate the
necessary process to examine the addition of a cricket pitch at that time.
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 45
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Five: Outdoor Facility Inventory & Analysis
5.2 NON -FIELD SPORTS
5.2.1 Outdoor Basketball Courts
I nventory
In municipal parks, there are currently 10 full basketball courts, 3 half courts and 5 single
hoops (for a total of 14 full courts, if single hoops count as a half court). This results in
one court for every 5,685 residents based on the 2004 population. The primary users of
basketball courts are 10-19 year olds who currently constitute just over 15% of
Clarington's population, and result in one full court for every 873 youths/teens (there is
an estimated 12,220 10-19 year olds in Clarington in 2004). The inventory does not
include outdoor courts at schools that the Municipality does not have an outdoor
agreement with.
Table 5-12: Basketball Court Distribution
Community
Full
Court
Half
Court
Single
Hoop
Total
Per Capita
(age 10-19 *
Basketball Courts
10
3(1.5)
5(2.5)
14
873
Bowmanville
6
-
-
6
Courtice
3
1(0.5)
4 2
5.5
Newcastle
1
-
1(0.5)
1.5
Rural
2 1
1
Note: Single Hoops and Half Courts are considered to be the equivalent of 50% full
courts, respectively. The parenthesis O indicate the number of equivalent full courts.
* Per capita provision based on the Municipality's 2004 10-19 cohort population of 12,220.
Public Input
Stakeholder Opinion for Facilities: N/A
Household Opinion for Facilities: High Demand (Low Priority)
The Household Survey revealed that 21 % of households had a member who had played
basketball and 40% of households felt as though additional outdoor basketball courts
were needed to meet their needs. The survey found that only 6% of those respondents
considered basketball to be a priority need.
Analysis
Trends research indicates that basketball is a growing sport in which younger ages are
beginning to participate to the point that it is one of the most favoured activities for both
children and youth. The sport can be played indoors or outside, individually or as a team
and it has a relatively low cost which boosts its appeal. Asphalt courts can also be
venues for other unstructured activities such as street hockey.
Outdoor courts appeal mostly to youth, therefore, the service standard should be
correlated with the size of this age group rather than the entire population. However,
good proximity to residential areas is also an important aspect as it allows for youth to
participate in casual basketball opportunities locally. The household survey determined a
large desire for basketball facilities. Municipal staff also noted that basketball half or full
courts are often requested during neighbourhood park development projects.
The number of youth are projected to slightly increase in the range of 13,500 from 2006
to 2016 and rise to over 15,000 by 2021 as each of the settlement areas continue to
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 46
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Five: Outdoor Facility Inventory & Analysis
grow. In order to ensure that there is a reasonable distribution of basketball facilities,
there is a continued a need for more half and full courts in Clarington.
It can be expected that youth engaged in basketball today will continue to play
basketball in some form as they age. Basketball has become a popular sport because
youth have 'embraced its urban culture, however, the sport is still easily played at a
recreational level by those in their 40s and above.
Almost 75% of the existing courts are located in Bowmanville and Courtice, granted
though those are the two largest urban centres in the Municipality. Newcastle is
expected to grow significantly after 2015, primarily through in -migration and can expect
to experience an increase in its number of youths. Additionally, there are three half
courts which could be considered for expansion to full courts Distributing courts,
especially throughout the urban areas where basketball tends to be the most popular,
will help to meet the growing demand for this sport at a neighbourhood scale.
Potential Strategies
Develop half courts in new neighbourhood level parks, particularly at those locations that
will provide appropriate buffers from residents to reduce noise impacts. It is not
recommended that outdoor basketball courts be lit as it encourages play into the late
evening and will further exacerbate noise -related issues for residents. Placing new
courts in areas that are highly visible will also minimize safety concerns and may also
lead to new residents accepting the possibility of noise during the evening.
5.2.2 Outdoor Tennis Courts
Inventory
The Municipality of Clarington has 18 tennis courts, of which 6 are lit for evening play,
resulting in one court per 4,974 residents. Half of the supply is distributed throughout
Bowmanville and one quarter are located in Courtice.
Table 5-13: Tennis Court Distribution
Communi
Lit
Unlit
Total
Per Capita*
Tennis Courts
6
12
18
4,421
Bowmanville
2
6
8
3,890
Courtice
-
4
4
5,673
Newcastle
2
-
2
3,923
Rural
2
2
4 1
4,037
" Per capita provision is based on the Municipality's 2004 population of 79,586.
Public Input
Stakeholder Opinion for Facilities: Low Need/Moderate Demand
Household Opinion for Facilities: Moderate Demand
The Bowmanville Tennis Club indicated that were enough outdoor tennis courts
throughout the Municipality, however, many courts need to be improved and maintained
more frequently. They anticipate that tennis will grow in the coming years as there were
participants who played in the 1980s and are now in the stage of their lifecycle that will
encourage them to once again take up the sport and introduce their children to tennis.
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 47
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Five: Outdoor Facility Inventory & Analysis
The Household Survey revealed that 19% of respondents indicated that a member in
their household had played tennis in the past year. Tennis courts were in demand as
37% of households stated that they desired a court to meet their needs.
Analysis
Trends research indicates that tennis is not a significant growth sport, however, there
are conflicting viewpoints that state the sport will become popular among the aging
population. The findings of the Household Survey indicate that tennis is one of the more
popular activities in Clarington so a solution comes down to distribution, like in the case
of basketball. The Municipality's demographic profile indicates that the number of adults,
and especially seniors, will continue to rise. In fact, seniors will constitute the highest
proportion of residents by 2021 which may result in tennis gaining popularity over the
next fifteen years.
In many communities, tennis courts are provided at a ratio of around one court per 5,000
residents, which currently would require 16 courts and results in a surplus of 2 courts
over the current provision level. However, additional tennis courts will be needed as the
projected 2021 population would require a total of 25 tennis courts and that does not
factor in the aging population. Based on this assessment and in order to ensure a
reasonable distribution of facilities, it is recommended that 7 to 8 new tennis courts be
provided in Clarington over the planning period of this Study.
Potential Strategies
Although there may be opportunity for lighting of certain existing tennis courts, as the
location of many of these facilities is in "neighbourhood -level" parks, lighting is not
necessarily desirable. However, there is merit in improving the quality of existing courts
and ensuring that they are properly maintained in order to ensure quality opportunities
exist. As having a reasonably distributed supply of tennis courts is key to meeting
demands, the primary strategy should concentrate on distribution.
5.2.3 Bocce
Inventory
The Municipality of Clarington currently does not have any outdoor bocce courts.
Public Input
Stakeholder Opinion for Facilities: N/A
Household Opinion for Facilities: Low Demand
Only 6% of the households surveyed participated in bocce. As the desire for bocce was
not strongly communicated in public meetings as well, it can be concluded that the sport
is not as popular as others in the Municipality.
Analysis
Although the Household Survey ranked bocce near the bottom of desired facilities,
surveys tend to be answered by younger households. Bocce is currently most popular
among the `older' senior citizens and the physically challenged who are less likely to
participate in public consultations and thus demand for this sport must be projected with
caution. Despite the aging trend that has increased demand for bocce province -wide, it
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 48
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Five: Outdoor Facility Inventory & Analysis
cannot be accurately predicted if younger people, who may be more integrated in
mainstream culture, will also heavily participate in bocce as they age.
Should the need for bocce emerge in the future (due to changing ethnic compositions,
age structures or other factors), a recommended standard to be used as a guideline for
bocce could be formulated based upon the standards of other Municipality's. For
example, the recommended standard for the City of Oshawa is 1 bocce court per 400
persons whose mother tongue is Italian. The Municipality of Clarington should formulate
a standard depending on demand in the future, should it become more significant.
Outdoor bocce does not appear to be demanded in Clarington and therefore it is
recommended that the Municipality does not construct outdoor bocce facilities in the
short-term. If a group approaches the Municipality in the future, the Municipality should
consider facilitating the provision of bocce facilities.
5.2.4 Lawn Bowling Greens
I nventory
There are currently two lawn bowling clubs in the Municipality of Clarington.
Public Input
Stakeholder Opinion for Facilities: N/A
Household Opinion for Facilities: Low Demand
Only participation in cricket ranked behind lawn bowling as reported by the Household
Survey indicating a marginal demand for lawn bowling facilities.
Analysis
It is suggested that the Municipality facilitate a consultation should a greater interest in
lawn bowling arise in the future.
5.3 OTHER RECREATIONAL PURSUITS
5.3.1 Skateboarding Parks
I nventorV
There is currently one skateboard park located in Bowmanville at the Rickard Recreation
Complex.
Public Input
Stakeholder Opinion for Facilities: N/A
Household Opinion for Facilities: Moderate Demand
The Household Survey revealed that 35% of households stated that skateboarding
venues were desired to satisfy their needs.
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 49
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Five: Outdoor Facility Inventory & Analysis
Analysis
Skate parks offer paved areas with specially constructed ramps, quarter pipes, rails and
other structures specifically for skateboarding, rollerblading and/or BMX biking.
Skateboarding is one of the fastest growing sports in Canada and the demand for skate
parks is high. These activities are not fads that will diminish in the future, rather thy are
continuing to grow in popularity particularly amongst older children and teenagers.
Furthermore, because skateboarding and similar activities take place in open public
plazas or on private property, conflicts with other activities are often reported along with
associated damage and/or vandalism. Skate parks provide an important alternative to
alleviate this problem.
Skate parks will be increasingly necessary in communities such as Bowmanville,
Courtice and Newcastle as these areas are expected to experience significant
population increases over the next fifteen years. The new population will likely contain a
significant number of children and youths as families settle in the Clarington area.
Initially, most new housing will be absorbed in Bowmanville and Courtice and with new
development, it would be advantageous to incorporate skate parks in community parks.
A recommended standard (to be used as a guideline) of one skate park per 3,000 youth
(10-19) would currently require 4 skate parks, which indicates a current shortage of 3
skate parks. The provision of 4 skate parks in Clarington should be sufficient until 2021.
The three new skate parks would be most beneficial in Courtice and Newcastle and
perhaps another park in Bowmanville.
Potential Strategies
Skate parks should be placed in centrally located areas, close to other recreational
activities and highly visible from the street. The parks should be easily accessible from
neigbourhoods or bus routes as the target population is generally not of driving age.
Skate park design considerations should be undertaken with consultation and input from
local children and teens who are knowledgeable about the types of surfaces they
require, and they are the best gauge for demand for such facilities.
5.3.2 BMX Facilities
Inventory
There are currently no BMX facilities in the Municipality of Clarington.
Public Input
Stakeholder Opinion for Facilities: N/A
Household Opinion for Facilities: Low/Moderate Demand
BMX biking was a desired need for 27% of households surveyed, ranking relatively low
compared to other desired facilities.
Anal sis
BMX is an emerging `extreme' sport that is popular among many male youth and young
adults, as is trick biking, hard track racing, skateboarding, wall climbing and other
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 50
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Five: Outdoor Facility Inventory & Analysis
unorganized sports. The primary BMX facility users are the 10-19 age group, which in
Clarington is expected to be in the range of 13,500 until 2016.
Given the amount of rural land in the Municipality, there is most likely a number of
appropriate (but not official) venues for BMX. While a BMX facility is not recommended
at this time, the Municipality should closely monitor the demand for such venues and
facilitate the development of such when deemed appropriate. As with skateboarding, if a
facility is to be developed, it is highly recommended that the process should include
youth who are the most familiar with the sport.
5.3.3 Water Play Areas
Inventory
The Municipality has 8 waterplay areas such as splash/spray parks. The majority of
waterplay areas are located in Bowmanville and Courtice, with three each, while
Newcastle and Orono each have one waterplay area.
Public Input
Stakeholder Opinion for Facilities: N/A
Household Opinion for Facilities: High Demand
Children's spray pads and water play areas ranked second among desired needs for the
Municipality with 54% of households stating this preference and another 20% placed
priority on this type of opportunity. Only 20% of households reported a member using a
splash pad during the past year, indicating a possible shortage of these facilities or that
residents were unaware of existing opportunities.
Analysis
Trends research shows that outdoor lane and wading pools are slowly giving way to
spray pads and even indoor pools. From a municipal finance perspective, this is a
positive trend considering the large capital and operating expenses associated with
outdoor swimming and wading pools. On the other hand, spray pads tend to be more
cost-effective as the amount of maintenance is lower than a pool as are the operational
expenditures.
Spray or splash pads are aquatic facilities comprised of interactive water play features,
such as spouts, jets, water walls, fountains, water guns/cannons, water buckets, etc.
There is no standing or pooled water. A spray pad provides a refreshing play area for
children during the summer months, acts as a 'cooling' feature, while its simple design
minimizes the need for supervision and increases the safety of younger children. The
size and number of features per spray pad can vary tremendously depending on the
neigbourhood that it is intended to serve. The core users of such facilities are ages 2 to
12, specifically catering to the young age group and offering a family -oriented and
diverse experience to a park in a manner that is free of charge to its users.
It is recommended that the Municipality consider installing outdoor waterplay features at
appropriate Municipal parks and/or facilities. The Municipality's current strategy of
providing water play features in new neighbourhood -level parks will met the demand for
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 51
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Five: Outdoor Facility Inventory & Analysis
such facilities. In implementing this provision level, where neighbourhood parks are
located in close proximity to other neighbourhood parks, duplication of water play
structures should avoided (i.e. do not provide if another location already serves the
area).
Potential Strategies
The demand illustrated by the household survey demonstrates a continued demand to
develop waterplay areas. Residents have indicated the desire for such facilities and it is
important that additional facilities be provided for in the future.
As with playgrounds, the distribution of waterplay areas is more important than the
overall supply. Concentrating . on neighbourhood -level parks for future water play
features is the recommended strategy.
5.3.4 Leash -Free Dog Zones (Dog Parks)
Inventory
There are currently no leash -free dog zones in the Municipality of Clarington.
Public Input
Stakeholder Opinion for Facilities: N/A
Household Opinion for Facilities: High Demand
Respondents of the Household Survey were asked whether or not Clarington should
provide an off -leash park for dogs and their owners. 65% supported this proposal, while
29% did not agree with the idea.
Analysis
Leash -free dog zones have gained popularity in many communities across the country,
however, there have also been debates regarding such parks. Some such parks are fully
enclosed with fencing while others are open areas.
The demand for leash -free dog parks likely stems from the fact that there are no such
facilities available in Clarington. Given the amount of open space, it is recommended
that a 2 to 3 acre area be designated for off -leash dogs.
Potential Strategies
As dog parks have never been offered in the Municipality, it is recommended that a pilot
project be initiated to determine the ultimate success or failure of a leash -free area. A
community group should be formed to work with municipal staff to select a site,
formulate and implement the appropriate guidelines and continually monitor the park.
Parks that are good candidates should include those that are able to withstand the
associated environmental impact of canines (such as those without large wildlife
populations). Parks with large expanses of land typically 2 to 3 acres in size and in close
proximity to urban areas are most desirable. Initially, a site in the Newcastle area is
recommended as a "pilot" project.
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 52
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Five: Outdoor Facility Inventory & Analysis
5.4 FACILITY SUMMARY
Table 5-14 provides a summary of the existing supply of outdoor recreation facilities as
compared to the demand. In order to meet the demands from the various leisure
activities, the Municipality should work to develop multi -purpose fields especially for
football, lacrosse and potentially rugby to avoid dependence on the highly demanded
soccer facilities. Reallocation of ball diamonds is a potential solution as it appears as
though there is an oversupply of this type of facility, however, the Municipality should
assess the quality, condition and location of each diamond.
Table 5-14: Outdoor Recreation Facility Demand in Clarin ton
Facility Type
Current Facility Demand
Existing Supply
Demand
Surplus/ Deficit
Soccer - Full/Intermediate
30
43
13
Soccer - Mini
18
24
6
Baseball
12
6
6
Softball/Slo-Pitch
31
12
19
Football / Lacrosse / Rugby
0
1
1
Basketball
14
16
2
Tennis
18
Neighbourhoods
As population grows
Bocce
0
0
0
Lawn Bowling
0
0
0
Skateboard
1
4
3
BMX
0
0
0
Waterpla
8
Nei hbourhoods I
As population grows
Source: Monteith Brown Planning Consultants, 2005
Overall, the Municipality faces a deficit in field facilities for soccer, football and lacrosse.
As stated previously, these shortages can be addressed through developing multi-
purpose facilities. There is a total need for 19 new soccer pitches assuming the
continued use and ideally the provision of a joint use agreement with the School Board
regarding access and maintenance of a portion of school fields. Without usage of school
fields, the number of soccer pitches required to meet the current needs for the sport
would significantly increase.
For ball organizations, there is a large oversupply of facilities with 25 diamonds above
the current need. Softball diamonds account for the vast majority of the diamonds, which
has resulted from the sport's historic popularity leading to their incorporation into many
park designs. However, shifts in the demand for ball to soccer has left the Municipality
with a surplus of diamonds and a deficit of soccer and football fields. There needs to be
a reallocation of ball diamonds to other uses in order to meet the current needs brought
about by the shifting preferences to different sports.
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 53
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Six: Identification of Upgrades & Conversions
Section 6: Opportunities and Constraints Analysis
6.1 OVERVIEW
It was determined in Section Five that there is currently a deficit in the supply of soccer
pitches and a surplus of ball diamonds. In order to meet current participation -based
needs, an additional 13 full sized soccer fields and 6 mini fields are needed. Ball
diamonds have surplus capacity to the extent of 16 softball diamonds and 5 baseball
diamonds.
There is a demand for other outdoor facilities to serve both current and projected
populations. These including fields for football and lacrosse, basketball and tennis
courts, water play features, and skateboarding facilities. In addition, there is a strong
demand for additional trails (linking parks and providing connectivity within Clarington).
6.2 SOCCER
The following is a summary of soccer venues and recommended upgrades.
Table 6-1: Soccer Field Upgrades and Priorities
Location
Park
Upgrade Needed
Bowmanville
Darlington Hydro
Consider lighting and installing washrooms,
im rove turf quality
Green Park
Improve drainage and turf quality - if possible
provide additional parking
Guildwood Park
Im rove turf quality
Meams Ave. Park
Improve turf quality and drainage
Optimist Park
Improve turf quality and drainage - if possible
provide additional parking
West Side Dr. Park
Improve turf quality
Courtice
Courtice Community Com lex
Im rove turf quality and grading of field
Courtice Memorial Park
Improve turf quality
Highland Park
Improve turf quality and goal posts - if possible
rovideparking
Penfound Park
Improve turf quality and drainage
Newcastle
Walbridge
Improve turf quality
Rural
Burketon Park
Could be considered for the installation of field
lighting, but community is too far removed to
justify at present
Darlington Sports Centre
Consult with neighbouring residents about
potential to provide field lighting
Elliot Park
Over time, improve the grading of the field
Orono Fairgrounds
Improve turf quality and washroom facilities -
consider potential for lighting fields
Solina Park
Encourage provision of new soccer field in park
Tyrone Park
Address user conflicts
Zion Park
Consider permitting this field as two mini
soccer fields
Municipality of Caarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 54
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Six: Identification of Upgrades & Conversions
Most fields require upgrading and high priorities are placed on newer fields because they
require attention to the condition of the turf to prevent degradation and are an easy fix.
Soccer Field Assessments and Recommendations
Bowmanville Community Park
Hours Used (2004): Not in Service
Number of Fields: Proposed 2 Full size and 1 Championship size
Developed Area: N/A
Phase one is currently under construction with 4 ball diamonds and future phases are
anticipated to accommodate soccer and football.
Burketon Park
Hours Used (2004): 49
Number of Fields: 1 Full and 1 Mini
Developed Area: 2.40ha
This park would be ideal for installing lighting on the pitches, however, it is located
relatively far from other locales. The same argument applies to its ball diamond.
Courtice Community
Complex
Hours Used (2004):
N/A
Number of Fields:
1 Mini
Developed Area:
0.67ha
The mini pitch is located behind the community centre. It is not level and has an uneven
surface, thus it should be properly graded. It is located besides Courtice Secondary
School, which has a running track and football/soccer field, along with a ball diamond.
Courtice Memorial Park
Hours Used (2004): 156.3
Number of Fields: 1 Full
Developed Area: N/A
Turf on the soccer field is chewed up and drainage is poor around the ball diamond. The
ball diamond is undersized and cannot be used when soccer pitch is being utilized.
Parking is available on the site which adds to the attractiveness of enhancing the park.
This park would be better served with a single use, either soccer or ball. It is proposed
later in this section that the ball diamond be converted to a mini soccer field.
Darlington Hydro Soccer Field
Hours Used (2004): 1,167.9
Number of Fields: 4 Full (2 lit) and 7 Mini
Developed Area: 11.00ha
This is a major tournament park and the largest soccer venue in the Municipality. The
existing lighting is poor and there are no changing or restroom facilities. The upper fields
are in poor condition and need to be upgraded. Upgrading and enhancing this facility
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 55
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Six: Identification of Upgrades & Conversions
would improve the location's ability to be the competitive soccer venue in Clarington. The
site's distance from residential areas provides opportunity to accommodate a great deal
of additional usage. Any upgrades undertaken by the municipality must recognize that
the site is not owned by Clarington. As such, agreements should be in place with the
private landholder.
Darlington Sports Centre
Hours Used (2004): 95.3
Number of Fields: 1 Full
Developed Area: 0.70ha
While the field quality is fair, this venue is one of three in Hampton which is somewhat
accessible to the northern part of the Municipality. Being a community park, it is
recommended that this facility be lit in order to extend the available hours of use,
however, consultation is needed with the adjacent residences to the west of the park.
Elliot Park
Hours Used (2004): 37
Number of Fields: 1 Full
Developed Area: 0.80ha
The soccer field slopes about 2-3% and there is evidence of a fair amount of dog activity
through the park.
Green Park
Hours Used (2004): 78.3
Number of Fields: 1 Full
Developed Area: 2.27ha
Drainage needs to be improved as significant ponding occurs across the entire field.
There is no additional land available to build upon. When Green Road is improved
consideration of constructing a parking lot should be given.
Guildwood Park
Hours Used (2004): 74
Number of Fields: 1 Mini
Developed Area: 2.00ha
Improving the turf will allow this park to enhance its role as a significant children's park
as it offers other amenities such as waterplay that target children. The adjacent school
also has a soccer field which through a joint -use agreement could meet additional
demand.
Hampton Community
Centre
Hours Used (2004):
12
Number of Fields:
1 Mini
Developed Area:
0.80ha
This park is not a likely candidate for expansion due to topographical constraints.
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 56
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Six: Identification of Upgrades & Conversions
Highland Park
Hours Used (2004): 189
Number of Fields: 1 Full
Developed Area: 2.10ha
The soccer field has uneven turf conditions with a 2% slope and the goal posts are in
poor condition. It is one of two full sized fields in Courtice and upgrades to the field
condition and posts will improve the playability of the field. The park has the potential o
accommodate a small on -site parking area as well.
Optimist (Waverly) Park
Hours Used (2004): 402.3
Number of Fields: 1 Full and 2 Mini
Developed Area: 2.40ha
The soccer fields all have lines burned in them, the turf is quite chewed up with frequent
muddy patches and are poorly drained. The central mini pitch is low on the south east
end. The potential exists to remove the ball diamond and add one additional mini field.
As an alternative, the provision of parking could be provided where the existing ball
diamond is situated instead of a new mini field as lack of parking is an issue at this park.
Lighting the soccer fields is not recommended, as this is a neighbourhood park.
Orono Fairgrounds
Hours Used (2004): 52
Number of Fields: 1 Intermediate and 1 mini
Developed Area: 1.20ha
The turf is heavily damaged due to driving and needs to be repaired. Conversion of the
intermediate field to a full size is desirable if possible in order to make this a prominent
soccer facility to service the northern rural areas of the Municipality. The adjacent school
has two mini fields and a ball diamond and thus has the potential to centralize facilities in
the Orono, Solina, Hampton and Burketon. Consideration should be given to further
upgrades of washrooms or washroom access and concessions for tournament play.
Lighting this field is recommended.
Penfound Park
Hours Used (2004): 69
Number of Fields: 1 Mini
Developed Area: 2.94ha
Currently the pitch has muddy patches, choppy turf and experiences ponding. As one of
only two mini fields in Courtice, improving drainage and turf quality will offer children a
viable option to engage in an accessible soccer venue.
Mearns Ave Park
Hours Used (2004): 65
Number of Fields: 1 Mini
Developed Area: 1.55ha
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 57
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Six: Identification of Upgrades & Conversions
The turf quality is poor as the east end of the field is essentially marsh which drains into
the creek. Accessibility to the site is difficult and there is no parking. Improvements to
this field should be undertaken.
Rosswell Park
Hours Used (2004): N/A
Number of Fields: 1 Mini
Developed Area: N/A
All facilities are brand new and fields are in excellent condition. The park has not yet
been assumed by the Municipality.
Solina Park
Hours Used (2004): N/A
Number of Fields: 1 Full and 1 Intermediate
Developed Area: 4.10ha
The ball diamonds in Solina Park are permitted and maintained by the Solina Hall Board.
They have expressed a desire to create one mini soccer field on the east side of the
creek.
South Courtice Community Park
Hours Used (2004): N/A
Number of Fields: 1 Lit Full
Developed Area: 0.67ha
This is a brand new soccer field and the turf isn't fully established. The Master Plan
identifies two additional full size soccer pitches at this location.
Tyrone Park
Hours Used (2004):
Number of Fields:
Developed Area:
41.3
2 Full Soccer and 1 Mini (plus 2 ball diamonds)
4.60ha
Tyrone Park is remote from other ball and soccer facilities, so maintaining at least one
ball diamond at this location is important. Overlapping ball diamonds and field fields has
been an issue at this park which necessitates not programming all the existing facilities
at the same time. User groups have complained about players and spectators crossing
the outfields and soccer fields in the north portion of the park either entering or exiting
the site. Converting the south ball diamond to accommodate another soccer field would
help address the soccer field deficiency. However, further consultation with user groups
and neighbouring residents should be undertaken before making any significant changes
to this park.
Walbridge Park
Hours Used (2004): 54
Number of Fields: 1 Full
Developed Area: 2.00ha
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 58
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Six: Identification of Upgrades & Conversions
Walbridge is the only soccer venue in Newcastle. Even though the field is new, it has
considerable weed growth. Upgrading the turf is suggested although lighting is not
recommended at this neighbourhood -level park. As the soccer pitch at the adjacent
school is currently not playable, it may be used as a practice/warm-up field or be
upgraded (through a joint -use agreement) if deemed feasible.
Westside Dr. Park
Hours Used (2004): 99
Number of Fields: 1 Full
Developed Area: 2.00ha
There are some drainage issues and grass growth on this field. Improvements to the turf
should be completed. The adjacent Dr. Ross Tilley Public School has a ball diamond to
complement soccer usage at the park.
Zion Park
Hours Used (2004): 106
Number of Fields: 1 Full
Developed Area: 1.40ha
This park has a full soccer field that appears to be used as a mini field. As there is
demand for additional mini soccer fields in Clarington, this field should be permitted to be
used as two mini fields instead.
6.3 BALL
The following is a list of ball venues and their upgrade priority and/or potential
conversion to soccer or multi -purpose fields.
Table 6-2a: Ball Diamond Upgrades and Priorities
Location
Park
Upgrade/Conversion
Bowmanville
Argent Park
Modify/ soften infield
Soper Creek Park
Although considered the best baseball
diamond, monitor use once Bowmanville
Community Park diamonds are utilized
G.B. Rickard Complex
Improve field maintenance and consider
adding washrooms
Courtice
Highland Park
Good condition - should be programmed for
children's use
Penfound Park
Improve turf quality and drainage
Stuart Park
Improve drainage
Newcastle
Newcastle Memorial Park
Improve parking and address visibility
concerns
Rural
Burketon Park
Increase usage of this diamond, if required
Harvey Jackson Park
This diamond is in good condition - add
lighting to extend play time
Solina Park
Install fencing between conflicting fields
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 59
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Six: Identification of Upgrades & Conversions
Table 6-2b: Ball Diamond Conversions to Soccer and Priorities
Location
Park
Consider for Conversion to
Soccer
Diamonds Lost
to Conversion
Bowmanville
Baseline Park
Adds 1 mini fields
1
Longworth
Adds 2 mini fields or 1 full
field
1
Lord Elgin Park
Adds 2 mini fields or 1 full
field
2
Rhonda Park
Adds 1 mini field
1
Optimist Park
Adds 1 mini field
1
Bowmanville Memorial
Park
Add 1 mini field
1
Courtice
Courtice West Park
Adds 2 mini fields
1
Rural -4T
rone Park
I Adds 1 full field
1
As identified in Section 5, there is a surplus of about 5 baseball diamonds and 16 softball
diamonds. Most of the conversions noted above occur in Bowmanville, which has a
significant supply of lit and unlit diamonds. Softball diamonds in Bowmanville are
oversupplied (there are 11 unlit diamonds alone). By converting a number of unlit softball
diamonds to soccer use, ball users will continue to be accommodated at a number of
other parks including lit facilities at Bowmanville Community Park (in mid 2005), the
Rickard Complex and Bowmanville Memorial Park.
The review of existing ball diamonds results in the potential for converting a number of
diamonds (9 diamonds in 8 parks) to soccer use.
Ball Diamonds to Consider for Conversion to Soccer Fields
Baseline Park
Ball Hours Used (2004): 63.3
Number of Diamonds: 1 Softball
Developed Area: 2.00ha
Baseline Park is a good candidate for conversion to a mini soccer field due to its close
proximity to Bowmanville Community Park (which includes the 4 new lit diamonds).
Bowmanville Memorial Park
Hours Used (2004): 533.6
Number of Diamonds: 2 Softball (1 lit)
Developed Area: 2.13ha
The poor orientation and small size of the north diamond restricts the level of play on this
field. Drainage on the north field is also poor. The construction of Bowmanville
Community Park should reduce the ball diamond demand at this park. It is
recommended that the north diamond be converted to a mini soccer field.
Courtice Memorial Park
Ball Hours Used (2004): 1.3
Number of Fields: 1 Softball, 1 Full Soccer (overlapping fields)
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 60
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Six: Identification of Upgrades & Conversions
Developed Area: N/A
This diamond is not currently permitted by Clarington as it is undersized and conflicts
with simultaneous soccer usage. It is suggested that the ball diamond infield and
backstop be removed to ensure no conflict. The existing soccer field could be
lengthened and the parking lot could be expanded on this site.
Courtice West Park
Ball Hours Used (2004): No hours reported
Number of Uses: 1 Softball
Developed Area: 1.90ha
Reallocation of this facility to soccer usage is suggested as the existing diamond does
not receive much use due to poor drainage and sloped playing field. This park appears
to be part of a stormwater management facility and the feasibility of converting it two
mini fields should be explored further.
Elephant Park
Ball Hours Used (2004): 147
Number of Diamonds: 2 Softball
Developed Area: 2.70ha
Although there is potential to consider alternative use of the park for soccer (potentially 3
mini soccer fields), the quality of the existing diamonds and the current currently high
level of use of the park for ball would suggest that this location should not be converted
to soccer. It is also noted that this is a neighbourhood park, so lighting of diamonds is
not recommended at this location.
Kendal Park
Ball Hours Used (2004): 116
Number of Diamonds: 1 Softball
Developed Area: 1.80ha
This site is located adjacent to Harvey Jackson Park (that also contains 1 ball diamond).
Although the Kendal area does not have a soccer field, the current usage of this park
combined with that of the adjacent park suggests that no change to this location should
occur. However, on -going monitoring ball participation in Kendal should be undertaken
and, should a substantial decrease in ball participation occur, a conversion of the ball
diamond to soccer at a future date should be considered.
Longworth Park
Ball Hours Used (2004): 75
Number of Diamonds: 1 Baseball
Developed Area: 2.20ha
With the construction of the Bowmanville Community Park, it may be possible to convert
Longworth Park to 1 full soccer field or 2 mini fields. The current orientation of the ball
diamond has been an issue for this location. Consideration should be given for parking
on the site in Phase Two of the park's development.
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 61
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Six: Identification of Upgrades & Conversions
Lord Elgin Park
Ball Hours Used (2004): 105
Number of Diamonds: 2 Softball
Developed Area: 2.00ha
The diamonds in this park are in poor condition and overlap. This park could be
redesigned to include either a full sized soccer field or 2 mini fields.
Optimist Park
Hours Used (2004): 72.3
Number of Diamonds: 1 Softball
Developed Area: 2.40ha
This ball field overlaps onto the adjacent school property to the south. There are slight
drainage problems especially in the outfield. Converting this facility to soccer would
provide an opportunity to add 1 additional mini field to the park. As an alternative,
parking could be provided instead of an additional soccer field.
Rhonda Park
Ball Hours Used (2004): 51
Number of Diamonds: 1 Softball
Developed Area: 1.20ha
Conversion at this park is feasible due to Bowmanville Community Park. Conversion to
an unlit mini soccer pitch is suggested.
Tyrone Park
Ball Hours Used (2004)a 41.3
Number of Diamonds : 2 Softball, 2 Full Soccer and 1 Mini
Developed Area: 4.60ha
Tyrone Park is remote from other ball and soccer facilities, so maintaining at least one
ball diamond at this location is important. Overlapping ball diamonds and field fields has
been an issue at this park which necessitates not programming all the existing facilities
at the same time. User groups have complained about players and spectators crossing
the outfields and soccer fields in the north portion of the park either entering or exiting
the site. Converting the south ball diamond to accommodate another soccer field would
help address the soccer field deficiency. However, further consultation with user groups
and neighbouring residents should be undertaken before making any significant changes
to this park.
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 62
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Six: Identification of Upgrades & Conversions
Ball Diamond Assessments and Recommendations
Argent Park
Hours Used (2004): 116
Number of Diamonds: 1 Softball
Developed Area: 1.80ha
This is an excellent facility with good quality backstop, outfield fencing and bleachers.
Parking is available at the adjacent school site. Users have requested softer a infield
surface to reduce injuries.
Bowmanville Community Park
Hours Used (2004): Not in Service
Number of Fields: 2 Lit Baseball and 2 Lit Softball (under construction)
Developed Area: N/A
This facility is currently under construction and is anticipated to accommodate significant
usage for ball, soccer and football.
Burketon Park
Hours Used (2004): 49
Number of Diamonds: 1 Softball
Developed Area: 2.40ha
This large ball diamond has the potential for increased use if required by the ball groups
in North Clarington.
Edward Park
Hours Used (2004): 80.3
Number of Diamonds: 1 Softball
Developed Area: 1.50ha
The large field is in generally good condition.
G.B. Rickard Complex
Hours Used (2004): 1,036
Number of Diamonds: 2 Lit Softball
Developed Area: 3.65
The Rickard Complex has generally good field conditions but considering its high usage,
consideration should be given to separate washroom and/or changing facilities. It was
stated in the public consultation that field maintenance could be improved.
Harvey Jackson Park
Hours Used (2004): N/A
Number of Diamonds: 1 Baseball
Developed Area: 2.55ha
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 63
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Six: Identification of Upgrades & Conversions
The existing diamond is currently in good condition with a new clay infield and the
potential for lighting. Usage of the diamond is high and many traveling teams play at this
location requiring later time slots for games.
Highland Park
Hours Used (2004): 63
Number of Diamonds : 1 Softball
Developed Area: 2.10ha
Although the soccer fields are in poor condition, the baseball diamond is in good shape.
The diamond is small and does not receive much use. It should be programmed for
children's league play.
Newcastle Memorial Park
Hours Used (2004): 39.3
Number of Diamonds: 1 Baseball
Developed Area: 1.58ha
The biggest user concern with this park is the loitering and potential for vandalism due to
the excessive tree cover. These issues have been brought forward to the police.
Improving sight lines to the diamonds and/or lighting the field (the tree cover may buffer
light from residences) may help extend play comfortably into the evening. Higher usage
should be promoted at this park as the diamond quality is good.
Orono Park
Hours Used (2004): 176.3
Number of Diamonds: 1 Baseball (lit)
Developed Area: 4.10ha
The diamond is in good condition.
Penfound Park
Hours Used (2004): 90
Number of Diamonds: 1 Baseball
Developed Area: 2.94ha
Some drainage issues around third base while outfield has bare muddy patches. With
two diamonds in Courtice suggested to be reallocated, this park has the potential to be
improved to accommodate the increased use that would occur and provide better
amenities than the other facilities. Lighting is not recommended as this is a
neighbourhood level park.
Rosswell Park
Hours Used (2004): N/A
Number of Diamonds: 1 Softball
Developed Area: N/A
All facilities are brand new and fields are in excellent condition. This site is newly
constructed and has not been assumed by the Municipality.
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 64
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Six: Identification of Upgrades & Conversions
Solina Park
Number of Diamonds: 2 Softball and 1 Practice Diamond
Developed Area: 4.10ha
Hours Used (2004): N/A
Reducing the user conflicts between the north ball diamond and the full size soccer field
could improve this park (an outfield fence could accomplish this). There is the potential
to create a new mini soccer field on the east side of Soper Creek.
Soper Creek Park
Hours Used (2004): 396
Number of Diamonds: 1 Lit Baseball
Developed Area: 4.80ha
This is the best existing hardball diamond, however, once the Bowmanville Community
Park is completed, this diamond could be unnecessary.
Stuart Park
Hours Used (2004): 129.3
Number of Diamonds: 1 Softball
Developed Area: 2.60ha
This is a large ball diamond that experiences some ponding in the infield, which could be
improved in the future.
6.4 SUMMARY OF EXISTING SPORTS FIELD UPGRADES AND CONVERSIONS
Table 6-3 on the following page summarizes the potential for removal of a number of ball
diamonds and the provision of additional soccer fields. It illustrates that the significant
oversupply of ball diamonds (primarily softball diamonds) which if converted to soccer
uses, would provide a better use of space that is reflective of community demands.
Currently the Municipality provides 43 ball diamonds (includes lit diamonds being
counted as the equivalent of 2 unlit diamonds) when its participant -driven demand is for
18 diamonds. Some of the diamonds would be classified as "practice fields" and their
loss would not affect the supply of good quality "game" fields. At the same time, there is
a deficit of 6 mini soccer fields and a deficit of 13 regulation (full) fields (even when
taking account of school soccer fields). It is suggested that 9 diamonds could be
removed/converted to soccer use (as a combination of mini and full sized fields).
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 65
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Six: Identification of Upgrades & Conversions
Table 6-3: Summary of Selected Parks for Sports Field Upgrades and Conversions
w
1�r E.xB /
f T
emove
a
�pgrad e�9 !
z all
Stf'`�'�''
�T�
S cc
�tl$New Mn Newg
tt e� �er�,Soc c"
Multr'
ew: IN
BOWMANVILLE
Argent
1
Yes
Baseline
1
1
1
Bowmanville
Memorial
3 (1 lit + 1
unlit
Bowmanville
Community
8 4lit)
3
1
Darlington Hydro
Fields
7
6
Yes
Elephant
2
G.B. Rickard
4
Yes
Green
1
1
Yes
Guildwood
Yes
Longworth
1
1
1
Lord Elgin
2
2
1
Mearns Ave.
1
Yes
Rhonda
1
1
1
Soper Creek
2 1 lit
Optimist
1
1
2
1
Yes 1
N
Westside Dr.
1
Yes
OURTICE
a
Courtice C.C.
1
Yes
=
Courtice
Memorial
1
1
1
Yes
Courtice West
1
1
2
V%
�X
Highland
1
1
Yes
Penfound
1
Yes
1
Yes
IW
Rosswell
1
1
-6
South Courtice
2 1 lit
4)
Stuart
1
Yes
EWCASTLE
Edward
1
Memorial
1
Yes
Walbridge
1
Yes
ORAL
'
Burketon
1
1
Yes
Darlington
S its Centre
1
Yes -
lights
Elliot
1
Yes
Hampton C.C.
1
Harvey Jackson
1
Yes - light
Kendal
1
Orono
Fairgrounds
1
1
Yes
Orono Park
2 1 lit
Solina
2
Yes
2
Tyrone
2
1
1
2
1
Zion
1
TOTAL
42
9
7 1
18
23
15 6 5
1
Note: numbers in brackets ( ) show a breakdown of lit and unlit facilities where lit facilities are counted as the
equivalent of 2 unlit facilities as lit facilities can be used for extended periods into the evening.
6.6 MULTI -PURPOSE - FOOTBALULACROSSE/RUGBY
The Clarington Tiger Cats Football Club currently plays at St. Stephen's Secondary
School. The school has indicated that they do not want to continue that arrangement.
The "master plan" for the Bowmanville Community Park identified a proposed football
field which would help meet demand for football, lacrosse and rugby (these sports use
similarly sized fields).
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 66
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Six: Identification of Upgrades & Conversions
Should a second new football facility be required, reallocating a softball diamond for
football and lacrosse could be considered or the provision of a multi -purpose sports field
adjacent to the above noted football field) at Bowmanville Community Park could be
provided.
6.6 BASKETBALL
Basketball is a non -programmed activity in high demand providing full and half courts in
new neighbourhood parks is recommended. Some existing courts such as Foxhunt
Parkette and Andrew Street Park require repair.
6.7 TENNIS
Tennis courts appear to be in good condition throughout the Municipality with the
exception of those at Lord Elgin Park which are missing posts and have faded lines.
While demand appears to be met for tennis courts, the Municipality will need to provide
additional courts (a minimum of 7 by 2021) to meet needs and ensure a good distribution
of tennis opportunities.
6.8 SKATEBOARDING
Most neighbourhood parks have the potential to add a skate element to them in a very
simple form, usually as a part of a paved walkway system (taking care to minimize user
conflicts). With a shortage of 3 skate parks, it is recommended that the Municipality
consider existing and future municipal sites for the provision of full skate parks in
Bowmanville, Courtice and Newcastle.
Siting is of key importance with regards to skate parks due to the type of perception
placed on this activity. Skate parks should be placed in centrally located areas, close to
other recreational activities and highly visible from the street.
6.9 SUMMARY OF BALL DIAMOND CONVERSIONS
The following table illustrates the recommended changes to the ball diamond inventory.
Table 6-4a: Summary of Ball Diamond Supply After Conversions
Bowmanville
Courtice
Newcastle
Rural
Total
Current Inventory of
Ball Diamonds
20 (28)
6
2
7
43
Conversions
-7
-1
0
-1
- 9
Proposed Inventory of
Ball Diamonds
13 (21)
5
2
6
26 (34)
*Due to lighting counting as 2X, equivalent shown in parenthesis
The calculated shortage of soccer fields was 19, consisting of 13 full size fields and 6
mini fields. Conversion of all suggested diamonds to soccer use would decrease the field
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 67
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Six: Identification of Upgrades & Conversions
deficit by 9. The following is a summary of the proposed mix of soccer fields resulting
from converted ball diamonds.
Table 6-4b: Summary of Soccer Field Supply After Conversions
Bowmanville Courtice Newcastle Rural
Total
Current Deficiency in Soccer Fields
- 19
Possible Conversions
to Full Size Soccer
4
2
0
0
6
Possible Conversions
2
0
0
1
3
to Mini Soccer
Potential New Soccer
+ 9
Proposed soccer field Deficit
-10
It is important to note that although there is a large surplus of ball diamonds, maintaining
some surplus of ball diamonds is preferable in order for the diamonds to be within
reasonable distance of key residential areas. Additionally, it will allow the Municipality to
have a buffer if/when additional ball facilities are demanded by growing populations
and/or shifting participation trends.
Since all of the needs of soccer users cannot be met through the conversion of ball
diamonds, new field development will be necessary within future park developments.
Providing new fields close to existing facilities would be preferable in terms of a
tournament perspective, however, decentralization of soccer fields across the
communities and making them neighbourhood specific would also improve the spatial
access for most residents.
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 68
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Seven: Recreational Trail Analysis
Section 7: RECREATIONAL TRAIL ANALYSIS
7.1 INVENTORY
There are a variety of different trails throughout the Municipality of Clarington. Multi -use
Primary Trails are usually paved and cater to a variety of uses. Secondary Trails provide
access to areas such as creek edges, woodlots or wetlands and can be found in the
Bowmanville Valley, the Samuel Wilmot Nature Area, the Oak Ridges Moraine, the
Orono Woods and some other areas in the municipality. Some of the trails in Clarington
include:
• Waterfront Trail - the Waterfront Trail receives the highest use. It has a crushed
limestone surface which requires regular inspection and maintenance to keep it in
good condition.
• Oak Ridges Moraine Trail — fairly lengthy trail route across the north portion of the
municipality.
• Sydney B. Rutherford Trail - located in Orono, it is a casual walking trail with a
surface of granular and wood chips.
• Lions Trail- located in Newcastle, it is a casual walking trail with a surface of granular
and wood chips
• Courtice Millennium Trail - a casual walking trail with a surface of granular and wood
chips.
• Bowmanville Valley Trail - a multi -use asphalt trail 3 metres wide from King Street to
Baseline Road.
7.2 Analysis
The Household Survey revealed that the provision of trails was the most important
facility to meet the needs of the residents. 92% of households walked for leisure in the
past year, 63% of households stated that additional trails/pathways would be most
important to them and 29% placed the highest priority on trail development. This makes
sense due to the significant natural amenities available in the Municipality along with the
fact that the population is aging and thus demanding more passive leisure activities.
Walking was stated as the most frequent activity pursued by households, which is a
common trend in many communities and research correlating age with increased
propensity to walk is consistent with Clarington as well. This bodes well for future
demand given that the 55+ group is projected to substantially grow in proportion over the
course of the Study period. Given the flexible nature, low cost and accessibility, trails are
appealing to residents of all ages and abilities and are utilized by a wide segment of the
population.
Trail development brings many benefits to local residents in addition to recreation,
including an increase in community livability, greater transportation options, patronage to
trail -side businesses, increased personal health and fitness levels, tourism development
and its associated economic potential, scenic beautification and improvements in air and
water quality (Rails to Trails Conservancy, 1999). Furthermore, trails provide
opportunities for both residents and visitors to travel to and experience local heritage,
recreation and cultural attractions. The majority of those households surveyed in
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 69
Final Report (June 2005)
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Section Seven: Recreational Trail Analysis
Clarington who wanted more trails desired either multi -purpose paved trails or hiking
trails, the former of which indicates that residents would likely use trails within the
Municipality as a substitution for traditional car -based trips such as commutes or
accessing services. In fact, the top four recreational activities (walking, jogging,
bicycling, and rollerblading) that households participated in are activities that can be
accommodated through multi -purpose trail use.
The Municipality of Clarington currently has two classifications of recreational trails:
• Primary Trails — multi -use trails are typically 3m or wider and are paved to provide a
smooth, dry and durable travel surface for a variety of recreational uses and
occasional vehicular traffic.
• Secondary Trails — provide access to areas such as creek edges, woodlots or
wetlands. These trails are intended to keep pedestrians on a designated route to
enjoy and experience natural areas without disrupting sensitive natural features.
These trails are generally narrower and are constructed of crushed aggregate or
wood chips.
The most easily identifiable benefits of a multi -use trail program involve recreational
opportunities. Leisure trends suggest an increasing demand for `unprogrammed' active
living recreational opportunities that are more compatible with the lifestyles of the aging
population. The use of trails is unorganized and spontaneous and thus more attractive
for busy individuals whose leisure time is at a premium and often unplanned. With so
many residents in Clarington reporting a lack of time as a barrier to participation, trails
should be considered an important element in the Municipality's recreation planning.
Through the park inventory, it was determined that only two parks (Rotary Park and
Soper Creek Park) had connections to existing trails. It is highly recommended that the
Municipality work to develop and improve the `recreational infrastructure' that provides
the opportunity and encourages citizens to access recreation and leisure services by
means other than the automobile. Thus, linking parks to existing trail routes and
developing new trails to link existing parks is a means to promote a healthier lifestyle by
offering new and safe transportation choices.
7.3 Opportunities
Trails, especially when located in natural areas such as creek valleys, are very popular.
They provide recreational opportunities for a broad cross section of users. Trails require
no permits, fees, or schedules to use. When they are located close to developed areas
trails also provide an escape from the urban environment. They are used as travel
routes to and from neighbourhoods, shopping areas, schools, and parks. A
comprehensive recreational trail system can also be part of a larger cycling network,
combining on -road cycling routes with recreational trails to reduce dependence on the
automobile for travel. Multi -use recreational trails are generally the most popular type of
trail. They are wide enough to provide two-way travel and have a paved surface for ease
of use by bicycles, strollers, in -line skates, maintenance and emergency vehicles.
The Clarington Official Plan establishes the framework for creating a system of walking
and cycling trails throughout the municipality. It encourages the creation of a regional
trail system, including the Waterfront Trail and the Oak Ridges Moraine Trail. It also
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 70
Final Report (June 2005)
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Section Seven: Recreational Trail Analysis
encourages the development of trails that will connect with areas of major activity and
employment, and recreational trails that will connect with our parks wherever possible.
The Land Acquisition Strategy, identifies lands for acquisition in open space areas and
along the waterfront within the urban areas. These lands provide excellent locations for
trails. The Clarington Waterfront Strategy also encourages the development of spur trails
from the Waterfront Trail connecting to urban areas. Site -specific plans have also been
developed for the Samuel Wilmot Nature Area and Bowmanville Creek Valley by Valleys
2000.
The Newcastle Waterfront Plan is near completion. The Plan proposes the extension of
the Waterfront Trail from the Samuel Wilmot Nature Area to the existing trail through the
Graham Creek valley and behind the homes on Carveth Drive.
Other than the Waterfront Trail and some rural trails, the municipality has not fully taken
advantage of the recreational trail opportunities that exist in Clarington. The Bowmanville
Creek and Soper Creek provide excellent opportunities to develop valley trails adjacent
to existing developed areas. Based on the worn paths that exist along both creeks these
trails would be extremely well used and relatively easy to construct.
The trail opportunities included in this report are those with the best potential to be
developed in the short term. A comprehensive trail master plan would assist in
identifying long term opportunities such as future trail locations, potential linkages,
additional land to be acquired, and sources of funding.
In 2002, the Municipality of Clarington's Engineering Services Department identified
many trail opportunities that are based on providing immediate benefit in existing
developed areas of the municipality:
Bowmanville Creek from King Street to Baseline Road
This trail constructed in 2003 and 2004 is 1.95km in length. The route is already well
used. Extensions to this section of trail both north and south could occur in the future
with the acquisition of land and/or land use agreements.
Samuel Wilmot Nature Area to Port of Newcastle Marina
This trail would be approximately 1.2km. This section would extend the existing
Waterfront Trail east and link the Port of Newcastle residential development to the
Samuel Wilmot Nature Area.
Along the Soper Creek from Simpson Avenue to Highway 2 at Mearns Avenue
This trail would be approximately 1 km in. This section would formalize an existing worn
path that exists between Soper Creek Park and Highway 2. Three connections from the
trail to adjacent streets in the subdivision would also be paved. Additionally, if a trail
underpass was constructed at Baseline Road, this trail could be extended an addition
500m south on the municipally owned land at Liberty and the 401. Through the
development of subdivisions to the north, additional land has been acquired along the
top of the Soper Creek Valley enabling another 2 kilometres of trail in the future.
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 71
Final Report (June 2005)
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Section Seven: Recreational Trail Analysis
Paving the existing Waterfront Trail from Cobbledick Road to Toronto Street
This trail would be approximately 870m. This section of the Waterfront Trail will span the
north edge of the Samuel Wilmot Nature Area. The existing granular trail in this location
is one of the best -used sections of the Waterfront Trail. Completion of this trial in
conjunction with the Port of Newcastle Waterfront Trail would create a continuous paved
trail over 2km long.
Paving and expanding the existing Waterfront Trail
Paving the existing Waterfront Trail and developing new off -road sections would greatly
enhance its recreational value. The Municipality should continue to negotiate with private
and corporate landowners to gain access to the best possible routes along the
waterfront and bring the trail off -road wherever possible.
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 72
Final Report (June 2005)
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Section Eight: Implementation Strategy
Section 8: Implementation Strategy
The following section provides a summary of the actions required to meet the
recommendations outlined in the Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study. These
recommendations are based on the consultation with stakeholder/user groups, the public
and municipal staff, trends research, population projections, existing facility data and
future planned parkland along with detailed analysis contained in Sections 5 to 7 of this
report.
8.1 FIELD DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
Recommended Strategy #1
It is recommended that the Municipality adopt the following standards for sports field
development:
Fable 8-1: Sports Field Development Standards
Classification
Minimum Preferred Dimensions
Mini Soccer
40m x 70m plus 6m buffer
Regulation (Multi-
Purpose/Full)) Soccer
60m x 100m plus 6m buffer
Football Field
65 x 110 yards (59.4m x 100.5 m)
End zone dead line 20 yards behind each goal line
Lacrosse Field
60 x 110 yards 54.8m x 100.5 m
Rugby Field
65m x 100m
Slo-Pitch Diamond
76.2 m / 250 ft
91.4 m / 300 ft
Baseball Diamond
91.4m / 300 ft
106.6m / 350 ft
Note: The dimensions for ball diamonds along the foul lines, and not by centre field.
Recommended Strategy #2
For the purposes of maintaining an inventory of existing sports fields, a lit facility should
be consider to provide the equivalent usage time as two unlit fields.
Recommended Strategy #3
Where possible, the Municipality should cluster similar facilities at new or redeveloped
sites to improve maintenance and operations efficiencies, including scheduling and field
allocations.
8.2 IMPROVING SPORTS FIELD QUALITY & MEETING USER NEEDS
Recommended Strategy #4
That the Municipality consider providing an artificial field turf surface at Bowmanville
Community Park for a multi -use sports field in order to allow for higher calibre play and
to allow for cross -programming for a range of activities including soccer, football, and
lacrosse. An artificial surface will accommodate a higher level of use 7-days a week and
will be available for use almost year-round. The investigation of an artificial turf field
should consider the additional revenues generated from its increase available, the
potential maintenance cost savings and the lifespan and replacement costs of the turf
system.
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 73
Final Report (June 2005)
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Section Eight: Implementation Strategy
Recommended Strategy #5
When implementing conversions from ball to soccer, the Municipality should consult with
affected sport groups to obtain feedback and input. Such feedback and input gathered
through this consultation should be used to assist in finalizing annual implementation
plans and budgets.
Recommended Strategy #6
The Municipality should develop and implement a Plant Health Care (PHC) program in
order to provide a consistent practice for maintaining quality sports field turf.
8.3 LONG-TERM PLANNING & MONITORING TOOLS
Recommended Strategy #7
That the Municipality monitor population totals by age group on an on -going basis to
address any changes in participation levels that may affect the need and/or timing of
recommendations.
Recommended Strategy #8
That 5-year reviews of the recommended strategies be undertaken to ensure that they
remain relevant and current.
Recommended Strategy #9
Due to concerns about field quality, access, bookings and maintenance issues, that over
the long term, the Municipality reduce its reliance on school sport field facilities by
developing a sufficient supply of sports fields on municipally -owned sites. However, on a
site specific basis (particularly in the short-term) there may be merit in entering into
agreements with the school boards to upgrade higher level school sites that have joint
use potential such as high schools.
Recommended Strategy #10
That the Municipality focus on providing quality facilities to meet the demonstrated need
of Clarington's sports field user groups, while also providing casual opportunities at the
local neighbourhood level for unprogrammed casual use.
8.4 ALLOCATION AND PERMITS
Recommended Strategy #11
The provision of sports field facilities and services should be made based upon user
participation criteria. It is recommended that the Municipality require user groups to
submit participation numbers on an annual basis as well as confirmed registration
numbers once the season has commenced, including waiting lists and non-residents. To
facilitate monitoring, the Municipality should dictate the form of the data (e.g.
computerized spreadsheets would be desirable). User groups would be required to
submit the names and addresses of all registrants thereby providing the Municipality with
the opportunity to verify the submitted information.
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 74
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Eight: Implementation Strategy
Recommended Strategy #12
That the Municipality develop a formal "allocation policy" for sports fields and ball
diamonds. Such a policy should be responsive to user group needs by providing a fair
and equitable process for allocating facilities in en effort to ensure an effective and
efficient use of the sports field and ball diamond supply in Clarington.
Recommended Strategy #13
That the Municipality encourage ball user groups to either amalgamate or create an
"umbrella organization". Such direction is intended to allow for increased coordination
amongst user groups, to improve opportunities for tournaments/special events, and to
create a stronger, single voice for ball (similar to that of soccer). It is also recognized that
many of the ball organizations are struggling with decreased participation making it
difficult to provide full programs - this direction should assist in maximizing resources
and coordination of players.
8.5 BALL DIAMOND PROVISION
Recommended Strategy #14
Table 8-2 illustrates the priorities recommended for improving the quality of existing ball
diamonds in the Municipality. The recommended strategy places high priority on those
facilities that are heavily used and/or could help absorb demand -related shifts as other
diamonds are converted to other uses. It is recommended that high priority upgrades be
carried out within the next three years while the timing for medium priority facilities is
suggested to be within 5 years and low priority upgrades may be carried out beyond 5
years.
Table 8-2: Ball Diamond Upqrades and Priorities
Park
Diamond
Type
Upgrade
High Priority
Argent Park
1 Softball
Modify/ soften infield
Medium Priority
Solina Park
2 Softball
Install fencing between conflicting uses
G.B. Rickard Complex
2 Softball
Improve field maintenance and consider adding
washrooms
Penfound Park
1 Baseball
Improve turf quality and drainage
Newcastle Memorial Park
1 Baseball
Improve parking and address visibility concerns
Low Priority
Burketon Park
1 Softball
Increase usage of this diamond, if required
Harvey Jackson Park
1 Baseball
This diamond is in good condition - add lighting
to extend play time
Soper Creek Park
1 Baseball
Although considered the best baseball diamond,
monitor usage once Bowmanville Community
Park diamonds are utilized
Highland Park
1 Baseball
Good condition - should be programmed for
children's use
Stuart Park
1 Softball
Improve drainage
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 75
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Eight: Implementation Strategy
Recommended Strategy #15
That the Municipality reduce the supply of its softball diamonds as a significant surplus
exists (see recommendations in Table 8-3 and see Appendix A drawings); however,
maintaining a slight over -supply is recommended to allow for longer -term flexibility to
adjust for local and provincial efforts in the sport to increase participant numbers. Priority
for the reduction in softball diamonds should be focused on poorer quality, under -sized
and conflicting facilities and consider the following:
■ conversion of diamonds to other uses, including soccer fields, multi -purpose fields,
and casual open space areas;
■ removal of ball diamonds that are constrained by site limitations;
■ removal of stand-alone ball diamonds in favour of sites that provide current or long-
term opportunity for diamond clustering (i.e. two or more diamonds on a site);
■ removal of ball diamonds that are no longer being permitted; and
■ a preference to maintain a minimum of one (1) good quality diamond in each
community of the Municipality.
Table 8-3: Recommended Ball Diamond Reductions / Conversions to Soccer
Location
Park
# of Diamonds
Reduced / Converted
Bowmanville
Baseline Park
1
Lon worth
1
Lord Elgin Park
2
Rhonda Park
1
Optimist Park
1
Courtice
Courtice West Park
1
Rural
Tyrone Park
1
Recommended Strategy #16
Notwithstanding that there is currently an over -supply of ball diamonds in Clarington
(even with the conversion of 9 diamonds to soccer fields), in order to ensure that there
are ball opportunities within reasonable proximity to existing and future residential areas,
it is recommended that new ball diamonds be developed in a number of new/future
parks.
Table 8-4: Future Ball Diamond Development
Location
Park #
Location
Bowmanville
6
East Grey Area - NW corner Concession Street & Bennett Road
17
NW Grey Area - NW corner of Green Road & Lon worth Avenue
24
Grey Area - NW corner of Lambs Road & Concession Road 3
Courtice
27
Central Grey Area - NW corner of Bloor Street & Trulls Road
30
Hancock - Hancock
31
North Grey Area - East of Trulls Road
Newcastle
35
Foster - Foster 1
39
North Village - North Village 2
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 76
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Eight: Implementation Strategy
8.6 SOCCER FIELD PROVISION
Recommended Strategy #17
Table 8-5 illustrates the priorities recommended for improving/upgrading soccer field
provision in the Municipality. The strategy places high priority on those facilities that are
heavily used and/or could help alleviate demand -related restrictions currently hindering
the ability of the fields to be used efficiently and effectively. It is recommended that high
priority upgrades be carried out within the next three years. The timing for medium
priority recommendations is suggested to be within 5 years while low priority upgrades
may be carried out beyond a 5 year time frame.
Table 8-5 Soccer Field Upgrades and Priorities
Park field Type Upgrade Needed
High Priorities
Darlington Hydro Soccer
7 mini / 6 full
Consider lighting and installing washrooms,
improve turf quality
Optimist Park
2 mini / 1 full
Improve turf quality and drainage - if possible
provide additional parking
Courtice Memorial Park
1 full
Improve turf quality
Highland Park
1 full
Improve turf quality and goal posts - if possible
provide additional parking
Walbridge
1 full
Improve turf quality
Darlington Sports Centre
1 full
Consult with neighbouring residents about the
potential to provide field lighting
Orono Fairgrounds
1 mini / 1 full
Improve turf quality and washroom facilities -
consider potential for lighting fields
Tyrone Park
1 mini / 2 full
Address user conflicts
Tourist Information Site
1 mini
Add posts to allow the site to be programmed
for use
Medium Priorities
Zion Park
1 full
Consider permitting this field as two mini soccer
fields
Solina Park
2 full
Encourage provision of new soccer field in park
Penfound Park
1 full
Improve turf quality and drainage
Green Park
1 full
Improve drainage and turf quality - if possible
provide additional parking
Guildwood Park
1 full
Improve turf quality
Mearns Ave. Park
1 mini
Improve turf quality and drainage
Low Priorities
West Side Dr. Park
1 full
Improve turf quality
Courtice Community Complex
1 mini
Improve turf quality and grading of field
Elliot Park
1 full
Over time, improve grading of the field
Burketon Park
1 mini / 1 full
Considered for the installation of field lighting,
but community is too far to justify at present
Recommended Strategy #18
That the Municipality initially increase the supply of soccer fields (both mini and full
sized) through conversion of poorer quality and under -sized ball diamonds (see Table 8-
6 and Appendix A for drawings). In total 9 ball diamonds have been identified as suitable
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 77
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Eight: Implementation Strategy
for conversion to soccer resulting in 6 new mini fields and 3 new full sized fields. The
timing of these conversions are recommended to take place within the next three years.
Table 8-6 Ball Diamond Conversions to Soccer and Priorities
Park
Conversion
High Priority
Baseline Park
Convert to 1 mini field
Lon worth
Convert to 1 full field
Lord Elgin Park
Convert to 1 full field
Rhonda Park
Convert to 1 mini field
Optimist Park
Convert to 1 mini field
Courtice West Park
Convert to 2 mini fields
-Tyrone Park
Convert to 1 mini field
8.7 OTHER SPORTS FIELD NEEDS
Recommended Strategy #19
That the Municipality monitor the potential demands for sports fields gaining in popularity
(including field lacrosse and cricket). Should user groups of such emerging sports wish
to enter into discussions regarding the provision of facilities, the Municipality should
facilitate the process and examine whether current and future participant numbers
(where appropriate) justify the provision.
8.8 RECREATIONAL TRAILS
Recommended Strategy #20
That the municipality continue to develop a trails network to improve connectivity within
Clarington including enhancing existing trail opportunities, providing linkage to the parks
system, and providing new opportunities for a wide range of trail -oriented activities. Trail
development should include the following:
Trail Development and Enhancement Recommendations
Bowmanville Creek Extensions to this section of trail both north and south could
from King Street to occur in the future with the acquisition of land and/or land use
Baseline Road agreements.
Samuel Wilmot This trail would be approximately 1.2km. This section would
Nature Area to Port extend the existing Waterfront Trail east and link the Port of
of Newcastle Newcastle residential development to the Samuel Wilmot Nature
Marina Area.
Along the Soper This trail would be approximately 1 km in. This section would
Creek from formalize an existing worn path that exists between Soper Creek
Simpson Avenue to Park and Highway 2. Three connections from the trail to adjacent
Highway 2 at streets in the subdivision would also be paved. Additionally, if a
Mearns Avenue trail underpass was constructed at Baseline Road, this trail could
be extended an addition 500m south on the municipally owned
land at Liberty and the 401. Through the development of
subdivisions to the north, additional land has been acquired
along the top_ of the Soper Creek Valley enabling another 2
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 78
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Eight: Implementation Strategy
kilometres of trail in the future.
Paving the existing
This trail would be approximately 870m. This section of the
Waterfront Trail
Waterfront Trail will span the north edge of the Samuel Wilmot
from Cobbledick
Nature Area. The existing granular trail in this location is one of
Road to Toronto
the best -used sections of the Waterfront Trail. Completion of this
Street
trial in conjunction with the Port of Newcastle Waterfront Trail
would create a continuous paved trail over 2km long.
Paving and
Paving the existing Waterfront Trail and developing new off -road
expanding the
sections would greatly enhance its recreational value. The
existing Waterfront
Municipality should continue to negotiate with private and
Trail
corporate landowners to gain access to the best possible routes
along the waterfront and bring the trail off -road wherever
possible.
8.9 LEASH -FREE DOG PARK
Recommended Strategy #21
That the municipality develop a leash -free dog park in the Newcastle Village area as a
"pilot project". Future provision of additional leash -free dog parks would be guided by the
experience of this trial project.
8.10 NEW OUTDOOR RECREATION FACILITY PROVISION
Recommended Strategy #22
That additional needed new outdoor recreation facilities (that cannot be accommodated
within existing parks) be provided in new/future park developments (see Table 8-7 and
Maps 8-1, 8-2 and 8-3 located at the end of this section). The timing of new parks is
based on projections provided by the Municipality and will be dependent upon the timing
of residential subdivision activity. Based on information available, parks of 2 hectares in
size or greater are considered large enough to house a range of facilities (barring any
site constraints such as topography and/or safety issues).
Football and Lacrosse
To address the shortage of sports fields (multi -purpose) for football and lacrosse, the
provision of a new lit field at the Bowmanville Community Park is recommended. In
addition, three soccer fields are recommended for the Bowmanville Community Park
(one potentially with artificial turf and field lighting).
Tennis Courts
Tennis courts are recommended to be located in a number of new parks in an effort to
provide an equitable and accessible distribution of these facilities within the populated
areas of Clarington. In addition, there is a need to improve the tennis courts at Lord Elgin
Park which are missing posts and have faded lines.
Basketball (Full and Half Courts)
Basketball courts are recommended to be located in new neighbourhood level parks in
an effort to provide an equitable and accessible distribution of these facilities within the
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 79
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Eight: Implementation Strategy
populated areas of Clarington. In addition, there is a need to improve/repair existing
basketball courts at Foxhunt Parkette and Andrew Street Park.
Waterplay Features
Waterplay features are recommended to continue to be developed in "neighbourhood -
level" parks in under -served areas.
Skateparks
For the three additional skate parks recommended, existing and future municipal sites in
Bowmanville, Courtice and Newcastle should be utilized. Community parks in
Bowmanville and Newcastle are recommended, while in Courtice a facility at either the
Courtice Community Complex or the South Courtice Arena are recommended.
Ball Diamonds
New ball diamonds are proposed (as noted in the following table) to address a need for
a good distribution of facilities. These facilities are not (at present) expected to be
"needed" for competitive play, but rather are intended for casual local use.
Soccer Fields
A number of new full and mini fields are identified (on the following table) which are
intended to accommodate current and projected growing demand from the activity.
There has been an attempt to provide a good distribution of soccer fields, however,
detailed subdivision design and shifts in timing for parks could result in changes being
required to the implementation strategy.
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 80
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Eight: Implementation Strategy
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Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 81
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
Section Eight: Implementation Strategy
The following table is intended to provide an overview of the supply / demand for outdoor
recreation facility provision which builds on the data presented in Table 8-7. The number
of facilities for new parks (which correlates with the anticipated timing of the
Municipality's new parks) are identified by the year that the park is anticipated to begin
development. It is noted that the timing of these facilities will depend significantly upon
budget allocation and the actual timing for subdivision development.
Table 8-8: Future Park Facility
Recommendations
(By Development Year
Year
Full
Soccer
Mini
Soccer
Foot
Ball
Base
Ball
Basket
Ball
Tennis
Skate
Board
Water
Play
2007
6
1
2
2
1
2.
2008
3
1
1
1
2009
2
1
2
2
2010
1
1
1
2
2
2011
1
2
1
2
1
2012
3
3
2013
2
1
1
2014
2015
4
1
1
4 (2) lit
2016
1
2017
2018
3
3
2
2
2019
1
1
2020
2021
2
2
1
3
3
Totals
22
11
1
3
20
8
2
18
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study Page 82
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants
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APPENDIX "A"
Illustrations Showing Parks with Potential
to Consider for Ball Diamond Conversions
to Full and/or Mini Soccer Field(s)
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared By: Monteith Brown Planning Consultants APPENDIX A
BALL DIAMOND CONVERSIONS TO SOCCER FIELDS
Baseline Park N.T.S.
Convert to 1 Mini Field
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared By: Monteith Brown Planning Consultants APPENDIX A
BALL DIAMOND CONVERSIONS TO SOCCER FIELDS
Longworth Park N.T.S.
Convert to 1 Full Field
ovr-okunly n
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared By: Monteith Brown Planning Consultants APPENDIX A
Note: Further study will be required to determine
the suitability of the site to accommodate a field
in the north end of the park as this area appears
to be part of a stormwater management facility.
BALL DIAMOND CONVERSIONS TO SOCCER FIELDS
Courtice West Park
Convert to 2 Mini Fields
Municipality of Clarington - Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study
Final Report (June 2005)
Prepared By: Monteith Brown Planning Consultants APPENDIX A
BALL DIAMOND CONVERSIONS TO SOCCER FIELDS
Tyrone Park N.T.S.
Convert to 1 Mini Field