Parks & Recreation Facilities Plan

Every five years, the City reviews the Facilities Plan. This review is an opportunity to assess what is working well and what may need adjustment, to ensure the plan continues to reflect the needs and priorities of residents. The review will focus on key areas such as:

• identifying priorities for new or improved facilities, such as soccer fields, basketball courts, ice rinks and community recreation centres, and whether current recreation facilities meet the needs of residents
• understanding where population growth is happening and deciding if planned recreation facilities are in the right places, or if changes are needed to better serve growing communities
• reviewing how construction costs and available funding have changed and figuring out how to spend money where it will have the most impact

Sign Up for Updates

Sign Up Now

Sign up for or unsubscribe from updates related to the Parks and Recreation Facilities Plan five-year review.

Vision Statement

Active Spaces, People Places: Parks and recreation facilities that improve quality of life by inspiring participation, meeting resident needs and strengthening communities.

Guiding Principles

The 2019 Facilities Plan is guided by the following principles:

Quality

Provide high-quality and inspiring facilities to enhance the health, well-being and quality of life of residents. Quality refers to the standard of facilities that provide the greatest benefit to residents, with an emphasis on facilities that are relevant, flexible and barrier-free.

Innovation

Encourage progressive strategies and partnerships that respond to changing times, address emerging needs and promote excellence. Innovation means finding better ways of designing, providing and funding spaces, such as co-located and integrated facilities that reflect the unique needs of each community.

Sustainability

Protect the interests of current and future generations through adaptable and resilient facilities that are socially, environmentally and financially sustainable. Sustainability refers to the many ways that facilities support the City’s goals of maximizing utilization, protecting infrastructure and contributing to the quality of the environment on a long-term basis.

Equity

Provide an equitable distribution of parks and recreation facilities on a geographic and demographic basis for all residents. Equitable access means that all Toronto residents should be able to utilize facilities, regardless of their age, location, financial or other barriers.

Most parks and recreation facilities are covered by the Facilities Plan, except for golf courses and playgrounds, which are addressed through other planning projects.

Community recreation centres

There are over 125 community recreation centres that provide space for programming and community use. They range in size and offer various amenities, such as weight rooms, youth spaces, gymnasiums, indoor pools, walking tracks, multi-purpose rooms, fitness studios, indoor playgrounds and more.

Ice facilities

There are over 50 indoor rinks, over 50 outdoor artificial ice rinks, three curling rinks and eight skating trails.

Indoor and outdoor pools

There are over 60 indoor pools and over 55 outdoor pools, each with varying features and designs.

Wading pools and splash pads

There are 90 wading pools and over 170 splash pads in parks and playgrounds. Wading pools are supervised, shallow water play areas designed for children. Splash pads are unsupervised water play areas featuring showerheads, spray jets and other interactive elements.

Soccer and multi-use fields, diamonds and pitches

There are over 315 soccer and multi-use fields, 330 ball diamonds and 27 cricket pitches. Supporting these fields are over 190 clubhouses and fieldhouses, as well as four bubbles. Sports fields can be booked for games, practice, tournaments and special events, and are for casual community use when not reserved by permit.

Tennis and pickleball courts

There are over 600 outdoor tennis court locations, mostly in parks. Approximately two-thirds are public and free to use, while one-third are reserved by community tennis clubs. There are also three dedicated pickleball courts and over 220 lined pickleball courts, often found on tennis courts or dry-pad rinks.

Outdoor basketball courts

There are over 145 outdoor basketball courts, mostly in parks.

Bike parks

There are five off-road bike parks, which offer a variety of progressive and technically challenging features, including dirt jumps, ramps and pump tracks.

Skateparks and skate spots

There are over 20 skateparks and skate spots, including some seasonal and indoor locations. These skateparks feature elements for various styles of skateboarding, including street skating, riding bowls and transitions, freestyle, longboarding and downhill.

Dog off-leash areas

There are over 75 designated off-leash areas in parks, where dogs can exercise and socialize. These areas vary in size and design, and all new off-leash areas are fenced.

Bocce courts

Most bocce courts are located in parks, with a few indoor courts available.

Lawn bowling greens

There are 40 lawn bowling greens. Lawn bowling facilities usually have one or more greens and may include a clubhouse.

Community engagement for the 2019 Facilities Plan happened in two phases where more than 5,500 residents and stakeholders provided input.

Phase 1

Phase 1 was from December 2015 to June 2016 and focused on:

• understanding which recreation facilities, like tennis courts, skateparks and curling rinks, residents want to use the most
• identifying the values and ideas (guiding principles) that residents believe should shape the Facilities Plan

Summary Reports

• Resident Survey 1 Summary 
• Town Hall Summary 
• Focus Group Summary 
• Stakeholder Advisory Group Meetings:
  • Minutes from November 26, 2015 
  • Minutes from April 12, 2016 
• Website Feedback Form Summary 
• Toronto Planning Review Panel Meeting Summary 
• Phase 1 Consultation Summary 

Phase 2

Phase 2 was from November to December 2016 and focused on:

• testing and refining draft ideas about which new or improved recreation facilities were needed most, and where they should be located

Summary Reports

• Resident Survey 2 Summary 
• Pop-up Consultation Sessions Summary 
• Stakeholder Working Session Summary 
• Youth Working Session Summary 
• Stakeholder Advisory Group Meeting Minutes   – October 19, 2016
• Website Feedback Form Summary 
• Toronto Planning Review Panel Meeting Summary 

Several strategic plans, policies and City Council directives shaped the 2019 Facilities Plan. In 2004, the City approved Our Common Grounds, a 15-year strategic plan for parks and recreation that focused on environmental care, child and youth development and active living. That same year, the Recreation Facilities Report was adopted, outlining a plan for developing recreation facilities over the next five to 10 years.

In 2012, the Recreation Service Plan was introduced to increase participation in recreation, reduce financial barriers and improve local access while guiding the creation of a 20-year facilities plan. In 2013, the Parks Plan was approved, setting priorities for engaging users, preserving nature and improving park quality. By 2015, work began on the Facilities  Plan, with updates provided to City Council in 2015 and 2016, leading to its completion in 2019.