Parks Maintenance Policy Overview
Pitt Meadows takes pride in the community's many beautiful green and outdoor recreational spaces. The Parks Department works to ensure the community's parks, trails, sports fields, gardens, trees and other open green spaces are well maintained for the enjoyment of residents. This includes 12 baseball fields, 14 soccer fields, one artificial sports field, 12 playgrounds and two off-leash dog parks. See our Parks and Facilities List.
These spaces are diverse and comprise of both built and natural environments that require a range of care and maintenance.
Following the end of the joint-service model with Maple Ridge, the City has been maintaining and operating its own Parks and Recreation Services. After a detailed evaluation and review, a new Parks Maintenance Policy (C103) was developed to provide greater clarity and serve as a guide for future maintenance.
The Policy consists of four service levels, which can be further prioritized based on location, visibility, level of use, recreation needs and planned special events, budget, personnel, resources and environmental considerations. Priorities change throughout the year depending on these criteria.
The four service levels include:
- Service Level 1 - Highest Level of Maintenance for high profile spaces and facility entrances such as Spirit Square, City Hall/Rec Centre Complex grounds;
- Service Level 2 - Medium to Moderate Level of Maintenance for sports fields such as Harris Road Park and Pitt Meadows Athletic Park;
- Service Level 3 -Open Space / Beautification for medians, islands and playgrounds; and
- Service Level 4 - Preservation of Natural Conditions for trails and forests.
The Policy will be reviewed annually with service levels adjusted and updated as needed.
Fraser Way Roundabout
In late 2018, an independent engineering review was conducted for the Fraser Way Roundabout due to safety concerns. Typically, a park area is not situated in the middle of a roundabout. The current roundabout is very large and includes a water fountain feature in the center (no longer operational), benches and several walking paths that bring pedestrians directly through traffic to access. In addition to the safety concerns for both drivers and pedestrians in the area, the City has received resident concerns regarding the condition of the park and park amenities.
In order to address these concerns, as well as park maintenance for the roundabout, the City implemented short term measures last summer. The short term measures included enhanced sightlines by cutting back the landscaping, installation of awareness signage for pedestrians and changing the 30km/hr speed limit from advisory to regulatory. Increased RCMP enforcement was also requested.
The original engineering review of the roundabout was then expanded to include review and consideration of five long-term design concepts that would help address the concerns. An engagement session was held on September 23, 2019 to share information about the proposed design options and gather community feedback. The display boards and survey were posted on haveyoursaypittmeadows.ca from September 23 to October 9, 2019. The results were presented to Coucil on April 7, 2020.
The design options vary from concepts that eliminate pedestrian access to options that permit access with increased safety measures. Consideration was also given to retention of the existing infrastructure/trees, maintenance and construction costs.
The initial phase will involve the following actions:
- removal of two of the existing walkways to limit general access to two points;
- paint crosswalks east/west along Barnston View Rd and north/south into the roundabout and install associated signage to bring awareness;
- removal of existing trees at the northeast and southwest corner of the roundabout to improve visibility;
- removal and/or cutting back of hedges to improve visibility; and
- installation of water shut-off value at the roundabout perimeter.
This work will begin May 21 and is expected to be complete by the end of 2020.
The second phase will involve planting of new trees near the centre of the roundabout, installation of additional planting beds/shrubs and associated irrigation improvements. Staff will monitor the need for a perimeter fence and/or rectangular rapid flashing beacons.
COVID-19 Capital Projects Update
In addition to staffing changes, the City has carefully reviewed all of the approved 2020 capital projects and identified a number of projects, which could be cancelled, postponed or completed with a reduced scope. During a first phase of review, staff identified $1 million in projects for cancellation or scope reduction, which will enable the City to offer a grant to residential homeowners to ease the financial burden of COVID-19.
As a result of some capital projects being on hold, the Fraser Way Roundabout project will continue in two phases. The first Phase will include all safety related work, which will include the removal of trees and shrubs that impede sightlines and the installation of crosswalks. The second phase of the project is beautification and visual improvements which is on hold at this time, and will include the addition of plants, shrubs and trees in the centre.
Shoreline Park and Waterfront Commons Park
During the summer of 2019, targeted maintenance was completed at Shoreline Park and Waterfront Commons Park in Osprey Village. This included weeding, brush removal, and tree pruning along the river bank to minimize the encroachment of invasive plants and allow for the enhancement of the area by planting native plant material in its place.
These parks will be included as part of the Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan, which is expected to be completed in 2020. Once a consultant has been retained for the Master Plan, engagement sessions will be planned to gain feedback from the community and stakeholders to better inform the draft plan. Stayed tuned for more information in the coming months.
Related Reports, Presentations and Policies
Fraser Way Roundabout Engagement Summary and Recommendation - Report to Council (April 7, 2020) Parks Maintenance Policy – Presentation to Council (July 23, 2019) - Parks Maintenance Policy – Report to Council July 23, 2019)
- Parks Maintenance Policy (C103) (July 23, 2019)