M.D. residents feedback summary from Rec Park Open House

The M.D. of Bonnyville hosted their Recreation Park Open House on Monday at Vezeau Beach.

M.D. of Bonnyville residents gave feedback on the types of features should be included a recreation park.

It’s the first step of the M.D.’s feasibility study.

The M.D. is also mailing postcards to residents this week to gain more feedback about a rec park.

When originally mocked up as part of the recreational needs assessment last year, the park design included six ball diamonds, four rectangular sports fields, an outdoor rink, pickleball courts, walking trails, and common areas like a playground, a concession stand, and camping stalls.

Open House Responses

The most popular amenities from the open house were loop trails, rectangular sports fields (soccer, football, rugby), playgrounds, outdoor amphitheater/community performance spaces, day use picnic/BBQ, and ball diamonds.

Some of the most common questions/comments left at the Open House response boards was: will there be user fees, unstructured recreation choices, considering the number of months of use, would there be an increase in taxes, and maintenance and upkeep.

When asked about if any other spaces that should be considered, residents advocated for riding trails, more winter activities like sleigh rides, dog sledding; more green spaces, lakefront access to Moose Lake, skating trails, concession, new pool, awards area at soccer fields/baseball diamonds, and a dog park.

When asked why they chose the recreation spaces they did, the most common responses were: lack of soccer fields, more options for all ages, and attracting people to the area.

The feasibility study is meant to build off the M.D.’s recreation needs assessment, clarify the types of spaces and amenities that should be included, estimate costs, and act as a point of reference moving forward for the project.

The M.D. has hired RC Strategies + Perc to do the feasability study. They are the same company who conducted the Recreation Needs Assessment.