Hamilton Parks Master Plan

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Consultation has concluded

Parks are important to our community. The Hamilton Parks Master Plan will guide the long-term planning of new parks and the expansion and improved access to existing parks across the city.

Why do we need a Parks Master Plan? 

A Parks Master Plan is a guiding document that helps municipalities plan for and provide parks for residents. It is an important step in considering the development and enhancement of parkland over the short, medium and long term. It also aids in decision-making and helps prioritize investment in parkland across the city.

Hamilton’s Parks

The City of Hamilton identifies four types of parks in its Official Plan:

City-Wide Parks: High-profile destinations with natural, historical, or cultural features (e.g. Gage Park, Bayfront Park) or major sports facilities (e.g. Mohawk Sports Park, Heritage Green Sports Park).

Community Parks: Intensive recreational facilities (e.g. sports fields, recreational/community centres) usually found on the edge of a neighbourhood and along major roads and transit routes. They serve residents beyond the immediate neighbourhood, but are not intended to serve the City as a whole.

Neighbourhood ParksLocal opportunities to experience passive recreation, sports facilities, play areas, and the serenity of nature. Distributed throughout the city, they form the backbone of parkland services for Hamiltonians.

Parkettes: Generally located in older urban areas, these small open spaces provide limited recreational amenities.

Other types of open spaces provide similar services and amenities as parks, but are not considered to be parkland:

Natural Areas: City-owned lands designated for protection and conservation of natural heritage features.

School Sites: Managed and developed by the School Boards, they provide some of the same open space services and amenities, but are primarily intended for school children.

The City's Parks Master Plan will review these classifications and ensure the equitable acquisition, planning, programming, and maintenance of these spaces as the city grows and develops.

What we've heard

Parks Master Plan

Download the Parks Master Plan

Parks are important to our community. The Hamilton Parks Master Plan will guide the long-term planning of new parks and the expansion and improved access to existing parks across the city.

Why do we need a Parks Master Plan? 

A Parks Master Plan is a guiding document that helps municipalities plan for and provide parks for residents. It is an important step in considering the development and enhancement of parkland over the short, medium and long term. It also aids in decision-making and helps prioritize investment in parkland across the city.

Hamilton’s Parks

The City of Hamilton identifies four types of parks in its Official Plan:

City-Wide Parks: High-profile destinations with natural, historical, or cultural features (e.g. Gage Park, Bayfront Park) or major sports facilities (e.g. Mohawk Sports Park, Heritage Green Sports Park).

Community Parks: Intensive recreational facilities (e.g. sports fields, recreational/community centres) usually found on the edge of a neighbourhood and along major roads and transit routes. They serve residents beyond the immediate neighbourhood, but are not intended to serve the City as a whole.

Neighbourhood ParksLocal opportunities to experience passive recreation, sports facilities, play areas, and the serenity of nature. Distributed throughout the city, they form the backbone of parkland services for Hamiltonians.

Parkettes: Generally located in older urban areas, these small open spaces provide limited recreational amenities.

Other types of open spaces provide similar services and amenities as parks, but are not considered to be parkland:

Natural Areas: City-owned lands designated for protection and conservation of natural heritage features.

School Sites: Managed and developed by the School Boards, they provide some of the same open space services and amenities, but are primarily intended for school children.

The City's Parks Master Plan will review these classifications and ensure the equitable acquisition, planning, programming, and maintenance of these spaces as the city grows and develops.

What we've heard

Parks Master Plan

Download the Parks Master Plan

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Parks are important to our community. The Hamilton Parks Master Plan will guide the long-term planning of new parks and the expansion and improved access to existing parks across the city.

    During the first phase of engagement in Spring 2022, we heard from residents:

    • Why Hamilton’s parks are important 
    • How Hamiltonians currently use parks 
    • How residents would like to use parks in the future 
    • The barriers or challenges people face in accessing parks throughout the city. 

     Based on what we heard from residents, existing City policies and priorities, and best practices research, we have now developed draft strategic direction for Hamilton’s Parks.

    Thank you for your feedback about whether you support the draft vision, strategic direction, and recommendations to improve the parks system. Your input will be used to further refine the draft strategic direction and finalize the Master Plan.  

    Consultation has concluded
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  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Thank you for taking the survey. Your input and insights will be essential in the development of the Master Plan to ensure the principles, policies, and recommendations reflect the lives of Hamiltonians.  

    Consultation has concluded
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