Spruce Grove Neighbourhood Park Development
The Spruce Grove neighbourhood park is a collaborative effort between the Resort Village, the developer (Whitford Construction), and the community to create a valuable recreational space which aligns with Council’s Strategic Pillars of ‘Recreation & Culture” and ‘Infrastructure & Environment.’
Through strategic financial planning and phased implementation, the Village is working to ensure the successful development of the park while managing budgetary constraints. Future enhancements will be considered in alignment with the progression of Phase 2 of the Spruce Grove subdivision.
PROJECT BACKGROUND
- The Subdivision and Concept Plan for Spruce Grove which included a neighbourhood park was approved by Council at the Regular Meeting of Council on April 25, 2024.
- The development of a park within the Spruce Grove neighbourhood was a requirement established in the Service Agreement between the Village and Whitford Construction. This agreement ensured greenspace would be incorporated into the development of the neighbourhood and the developer would contribute to its completion.
- The creation of greenspace in new development areas is in alignment with the RVCL 20 Year Master Plan for Parks and Green Spaces with the RVCL 2025-2028 Strategic Plan including the pillars related to ‘Recreation & Culture’ and ‘Infrastructure & Environment’. Council is committed to providing opportunities for recreation that will sustain the health and well-being of our residents, that celebrate the unique culture of our community, and that ensure the sustainability of our environment is considered in all that we do.
Land and Cost-Sharing Agreement
- The Village owned an undeveloped municipal reserve parcel adjacent to land that Whitford Construction intended to dedicate for park development. To maximize the effectiveness of the space, the Village requested the developer construct the entire park.
- A cost-sharing agreement was reached, assigning 60% of the costs to the Village and 40% to the developer, proportionate to their respective land contributions.
Design and Public Consultation Process
- Village Council engaged with Associated Engineering to guide the park's design and assist with planning.
- A design committee was formed, consisting of a representative of the developer and included, on behalf of the Village, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), the Recreation Manager, and one member of Council. This committee developed a draft design with professional assistance from Associated Engineers that was subsequently approved by Council for public review.
- The Village facilitated public consultation which included sharing the design plan publicly, mailing it to nearby property owners, and holding a public meeting to gather feedback. Some of the feedback included the cost of the project, possible increased traffic created by the attraction of the sledding hill, and conserving the existing forest.
- At the November 21, 2024 Council meeting, Council moved forward with consideration of the final park design and amended the design to include only the trails within the park.
- At the February 20, 2025 Council meeting, a second motion was approved to include additional amenities such as a sledding hill, a natural playground structure, a parking lot, and park furnishings. In this motion modifications were made to mitigate some of the concerns brought forward:
- 1. The sledding hill would be shifted south to enable the tree buffer along the Birch Street to be enlarged.
- 2. The off-street parking would be reduced from 24 -12 spaces to reduce the park opening in the trees along the street.
- 3. Administration was directed to identify potential sponsorship/donation and grant funding opportunities.
Financial Planning and Implementation
- Associated Engineering provided a cost projection of $170,000 for the park’s development. The Village intends to negotiate a division of responsibilities wherein the developer would provide all labour for park landscaping and trail construction to fulfill their 40% share.
- The Village would assume the responsibility for the playground structure and park furnishings, with any of the other future optional elements deferred to Phase 2 of the Spruce Grove subdivision.
Budget and Funding Sources
- In the 2025 Budget, the Village allocated its estimated $100,000 share of the costs of through a combination of funding sources:
- A $20,000 sponsorship/donation from a service club
- A $65,000 third-party grant
- The remaining $15,000 sourced from Village recreation facility dedicated reserve funds