Parks development funding strategy

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Background

In 2018, Council directed staff to prepare a Parks Development Funding Program based on the Park Funding Strategy Report and the Park Development Report from 2017. The program was developed through 2019, and in June 2019 Council directed staff to engage on Model A – Full Implementation presented in that report. Staff undertook public and stakeholder engagement from late June to early September based on Model A.

The funding strategy identifies how the City will fund parks development so that neighbourhood, community, recreation and linear parks keep pace with Kelowna's population growth.

Until now, the rate of developing parks into useable spaces has not kept up with the City's rate of growth. As a result, there is a growing deficit of developed parks, which is insufficient to serve Kelowna's residents. A funding strategy will help align parkland acquisition with park development.

Cost

The cost to implement this strategy would be about $12.1 million per year over the next 10 years and would be shared between development cost charges, taxation and parks revenues. This is about $9.1 million more per year than our existing budget.

Prioritization and timeline

Prioritizing parks and public spaces aligns with Council's new priorities, the community vision set out through Imagine Kelowna, and the "big moves" guiding development of the updated Official Community Plan.

Parks will be chosen for development based on growth projections, the 10-Year Capital Plan, Servicing Plan, and growth nodes identified in the Official Community Plan. Changes would happen over the next 10 years.

Background

In 2018, Council directed staff to prepare a Parks Development Funding Program based on the Park Funding Strategy Report and the Park Development Report from 2017. The program was developed through 2019, and in June 2019 Council directed staff to engage on Model A – Full Implementation presented in that report. Staff undertook public and stakeholder engagement from late June to early September based on Model A.

The funding strategy identifies how the City will fund parks development so that neighbourhood, community, recreation and linear parks keep pace with Kelowna's population growth.

Until now, the rate of developing parks into useable spaces has not kept up with the City's rate of growth. As a result, there is a growing deficit of developed parks, which is insufficient to serve Kelowna's residents. A funding strategy will help align parkland acquisition with park development.

Cost

The cost to implement this strategy would be about $12.1 million per year over the next 10 years and would be shared between development cost charges, taxation and parks revenues. This is about $9.1 million more per year than our existing budget.

Prioritization and timeline

Prioritizing parks and public spaces aligns with Council's new priorities, the community vision set out through Imagine Kelowna, and the "big moves" guiding development of the updated Official Community Plan.

Parks will be chosen for development based on growth projections, the 10-Year Capital Plan, Servicing Plan, and growth nodes identified in the Official Community Plan. Changes would happen over the next 10 years.

  • News release: New approach to funding our future parks

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    On Monday, Council identified a preferred funding model for parks related to growth over the next 10 years, and now the City wants to hear back from the development community, home builders and the public.

    The proposed funding strategy responds to the anticipated deficit of parks built as the city grows, as identified in the City’s 2017 Parks Development Report. The strategy identifies how the City will fund the development of parks so that neighbourhood, community, recreation and linear parks keep pace with Kelowna’s population growth.

    “Parks and public spaces are a foundation of a livable community,” said Robert Parlane, Parks & Buildings Planning Manager. “Implementing a new funding model will ensure that we can develop parks as we acquire park land, so that residents can enjoy them sooner.”

    Until now, the rate of developing parks into useable spaces has not kept up with the City’s rate of growth. As a result, there is a growing deficit of developed parks, which is insufficient to serve Kelowna’s residents. The strategy is designed to align park acquisition with park development.

    “The cost to implement this parks development strategy – about $12.1 million per year over the next 10 years – would be shared between development costs, taxation and parks revenues,” said Parlane. “This is about $9.1 million more per year than our existing budget and is necessary to match the anticipated growth of our city.”

    Prioritizing parks and public spaces aligns with Council’s new priorities, the community vision set out through Imagine Kelowna, and the “big moves” guiding development of the updated Official Community Plan.

    Next steps include engaging with stakeholders and the public on this funding strategy, including a new Parks Development Cost Charge (DCC) approach, and eventually receiving Provincial approval of an updated DCC Bylaw for implementation in 2020. A public information session is scheduled for Tuesday, June 25, at the Royal Anne Hotel. Doors will open at 5 p.m., with a presentation scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

    Learn more and review the full report at kelowna.ca/council.