The 2019 Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan is now called the Parks and Recreation Facilities Plan to reflect a more inclusive and community-informed approach.
The City owns and maintains hundreds of recreational facilities in buildings and parks. The Parks and Recreation Facilities Plan and its Implementation Strategy help prioritize investments in indoor and outdoor recreation facilities across Toronto, like new basketball courts, cricket fields, skateparks, splash pads and community recreation centres. These documents also help the City assess new opportunities for partnerships and community proposals for new or improved recreation facilities.
A city-wide community engagement process launched in October 2024 as part of a five-year review of the Facilities Plan. Feedback is being collected on the changing needs and priorities of residents for recreation spaces and parks.
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:
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Active Spaces, People Places: Parks and recreation facilities that improve quality of life by inspiring participation, meeting resident needs and strengthening communities.
The 2019 Facilities Plan is guided by the following principles:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
There are over 50 indoor rinks, over 50 outdoor artificial ice rinks, three curling rinks and eight skating trails.
There are over 60 indoor pools and over 55 outdoor pools, each with varying features and designs.
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.
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.
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.
There are over 145 outdoor basketball courts, mostly in 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.
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.
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.
Most bocce courts are located in parks, with a few indoor courts available.
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 was from December 2015 to June 2016 and focused on:
Phase 2 was from November to December 2016 and focused on:
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.