The plan calls for annual funding of $100,000 to support and enhance the local trail system. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

decision making

La Ronge council handed master plan covering parks and trails for next 20 years

Sep 15, 2022 | 5:00 PM

La Ronge council was presented with a plan at a regular meeting this week which included a long-term strategic framework to guide decision-making on the development, management, and investment in parks and trails over the next 20 years.

The La Ronge Parks and Trails Master Plan, which was developed by RC Strategies for approximately $49,000, includes a number of key findings, as well as strategies and actions leadership can take to be proactive when developing parks and trails within the municipality. It also contains findings from a survey released to residents in June.

According to the data, parks, and trails are essential to quality of life, health, and well-being. It notes awareness, quality of parks and trails, and the availability of time are the largest barriers to participation but adds these spaces can be used more by enhancing universal accessibility; expanding, connecting, and diversifying the parks and trail system; diversify outdoor recreation facilities; and activating parks and trails through programming.

“When well planned, appropriately sited, actively programmed, and effectively managed and resourced, parks and trails can deliver immense benefits to our residents, our community culture and way of life, the environment, and our economy,” the report states. “In fact, we see investing in parks and trails as a deliberate strategy to help address and overcome many of the social, environmental, and economic challenges that we face today.”

The plan found the amount of park space in La Ronge is in keeping with major comparator communities and that space is generally meeting expectation. It mentions, however, infrastructure and amenities are reaching end of life cycle, there’s inequitable access to park space, the diversity of outdoor recreation opportunities is limited, and that municipal fields and diamonds are underutilized.

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A major component to enhancing trails in La Ronge would be the construction of an all-weather path connecting La Ronge, the Lac La Ronge Indian Band and Air Ronge, particularly along Highway 2. To better enhance and maintain trials within the municipality, the plan suggests allotting $100,000 per year in funding to a local trail group.

An illustration for future park and trail planning. (Town of La Ronge)

“Work with partners to develop a water trail along the La Ronge waterfront, Lac La Ronge Provincial Park and the near-shore islands,” the plan further states. “The trail should contain designated water access points, natural and Indigenous interpretive points, rest and picnic areas with visitor amenities and potentially overnight camping locations.”

Council didn’t have many questions for the RC Strategies spokesperson who presented the plan on Tuesday. Coun. Abby Besharah commented that the information will be valuable to council as they prepare for upcoming 10-year capital planning exercises.

“Having that better understanding of the land use analysis around which neighbourhoods actually have access and which do not is I think, for me, probably the biggest benefit of this plan,” she said. “I appreciate it’s codified and its for council and administrative decision making to be able to kind of forge ahead and create quality spaces for recreation in our community.”

The La Ronge Parks and Trails Master Plan can be found online here.

Developer requests new park along Robertson Drive

Also at the regular meeting, council was presented with a request from local developer Ann Calladine about constructing a park along Robertson Drive. She wrote a letter to council stating she had spoken to several community members from the area who believe it would be an asset for the neighbourhood.

“While Pre-Cam Community School has a playground, it is not a community park,” Calladine noted. “The area that was brought to our attention is on the west side of Robertson Drive beside Ty’s House. This particular location is not ideal for development due to the bedrock that juts into the lots which reduce the actual size of buildable space.”

Calladine is currently developing seven units along Robertson Drive, which are expected to be completed by November 2022. She also has plans to continue building residential units in the area.

The La Ronge Parks and Trails Master Plan especially calls for a new park to be built in that part of town. Council decided to add Calladine’s request into the plan for future funding consideration.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno