Parks and recreation asset needs

The asset needs bold move articulates needs relating to Park Board spaces, facilities, and amenities. It describes management, development, and renewal needs and sets targets to measure progress over time.

The asset targets described in this Bold Move consider the quantity, quality, capacity, and distribution of parks, natural areas, outdoor recreation amenities, and facilities in the City of Vancouver, managed in some respect by the Park Board.

By articulating parks and recreation asset needs more clearly the Park Board is better positioned to advocate for both filling current deficits and meeting needs due to population growth.

Each asset target recommends actions for to supply, distribution, and renewal of each type. The associated 2040 target, recommendations, and other considerations respond to current state, trends, and projected supply in 2040.

What are assets

We have many different physical assets – tennis courts, park benches, pathways, and swimming pools to name just a few.

We're in the business of delivering parks and recreation services, both the provision of infrastructure (the initial acquisition of land, followed by a cycle of construction, maintenance, and renewal), and ongoing programming and operation.

This Bold Move outlines 13 targets and provides placeholders for four more which are awaiting strategy completion.

Over time we can add additional targets to describe additional parks, facilities, recreation, or nature related physical space or amenities need.
Why set targets?

With significant pressures on the parks and recreation system, we need a strategic approach to ensure demand continues to be met in Vancouver. The City has limited resources to fund and maintain infrastructure and needs to set realistic provision goals. In some cases, the same number of amenities may have to work harder (example: the same asset serves more people).

We're often asked to clearly articulate parks and recreation needs at various scales ranging from capital planning to needs assessments for community planning. Because needs and wants can be unlimited, targets for aspects of service such as renewal timelines, condition and use help us strategize and advocate for appropriate funding.

Asset targets are a reference point for negotiations and planning new developments, facilities, and parks. These benchmarks provide a way to measure change over time, prioritize investments and recognize changing needs.

Read more about why we set targets (36 KB)
How do we meet the targets?

Increasing access to parks and recreation amenities to meet these targets can achieved in many ways including regular renewal, design, and material choices to increase capacity and enhance resilience, providing new assets, matching maintenance to use/demand, partnerships to increase access to amenities outside park land, and renewal to repurpose, transition, and by building spaces that support multiple functions.

Read more about how we meet the targets (41 KB)