Council approves Windsor's new parks master plan

Windsor city council agreed to consolidate its sports fields into several major recreational complexes Monday night.

Shifting to more condensed athletic sites is one of 104 recommendations outlined in the city's new parks master plan unanimously supported by council.

Moving organized sports into several strategically chosen locations will improve services at those centres, while making neighbourhood parks more accessible, according to Phil Roberts, the city's executive director of parks.

Roberts presented his 20-year plan to council Monday, saying more resources may be needed to improve parks. Current budgets for parks "may be adequate," if council is pleased with the existing services, Roberts explained.

"I would suggest to you right now that it isn't satisfactory," he cautioned.

Park improvements

The new parks master plan also calls on the city to work with the region's conservation authority to improve and manage natural parks and naturalized areas, such as fish habitat along riverfront land, watershed management areas and woodlots.

Dog parks should also see improvements in the coming years. If the goals of the master plan are successful, the city will standardize dog parks and create more of the popular public amenities, Roberts explained.

His plan also recommends creating a standard for all dog parks, compared to the existing ad hoc parks that are largely paid for by ward funding.

"City of Windsor dog parks are not the best," he told council. "I would say there are some that are not very nice dog parks."