Love My Park

The City of Welland parks system plays an important role locally and throughout Niagara. Nearly 400 hectares of active and passive parkland are owned by the City of Welland, over half of which is attributed to the Welland Recreational Corridor (approximately 242 hectares of land and waterway).

The Parks, Recreation and Culture (PRC) Master Plan states, “Parks are dynamic places. They are hubs for community gatherings, physical activity, and to simply get fresh air. Well-designed Park systems offer social, environmental, health, and economic benefits and have the potential to bring people together.”

As parks play a crucial role within our community, the Love My Park initiative was created to encourage community engagement. There is no one better to help improve parklands better than those who use the parks. Parks are for all ages and we want everyone to feel their community park is their park to run through, sit and read, have a picnic, be active, or sit and enjoy the weather.

There are also several other reasons why community engagement is a key component to the Love My Park initiatives, first there is a sense of ownership when community members actively participate in the planning and execution of Love My Park events, they develop a sense of ownership and pride in their local parks. This sense of ownership leads to increased care and responsibility for the parks, resulting in better maintenance and preservation.

Another reason is collaboration and cooperation, when community members collaborate and cooperate with each other they are fostering a stronger sense of community. Working together on park improvement projects encourages individuals from diverse backgrounds to come together, break down barriers, and build relationships.

There are social and health benefits that go with park and parkland. Parks offer spaces for physical activities, relaxation, and social interaction, which contribute to improved mental and physical well-being. Engaging the community in these activities fosters a sense of belonging and social cohesion, enhancing community resilience.

Building a sustainable future for parks requires ongoing community engagement. By involving community members in the decision-making process and empowering them to take ownership, Love My Park initiatives can establish a foundation for continued support and stewardship. This long-term sustainability is essential for the preservation and enhancement of parks for future generations.

Love My Park launches this June, capturing the ideas and imagination of neighbourhoods throughout the city. In approaching this campaign, consider the following:

• Are the right amenities in the park based on the needs of everyone in the neighbourhood?
• What could be done to the park to ensure there is something for everyone for all four seasons?
• How can the park improve its identity and purpose for social gatherings and play?
• Could community safety improvements encourage more use of the park?
• Can the greenspace be used to help improve our ecosystem?

Engagement Dates and locations: