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PARKS & RECREATION/COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT <br /> <br />Department Overview <br />The Parks & Recreation/Community Services Department promotes community engagement, wellness, and <br />pride by providing exceptional public recreation services, activities, and facilities to the Little Canada <br />community. <br /> <br />Mission Statement <br />Our mission is to promote community engagement, wellness, and pride by providing exceptional public <br />recreation services and facilities. <br /> <br />Service Areas <br /> Parks  Recreation Services  Facilities <br /> Open Space <br /> Community Events <br /> Natural Resources <br /> Trails <br /> Horticulture <br /> Wellness <br /> <br /> <br />2023/2024 Departmental Accomplishments <br /> Continued focus on natural resources by clearing buckthorn and enhancing pollinator gardens <br /> Began Music in the Park event(s) to increase community pride <br /> Completed the full reconstruction of Pioneer Park, including a new play node with water feature <br /> Completed Thunderbay Trail Project, connecting the east Boardwalk to Pioneer Park <br /> <br />2025 Departmental Goals <br /> Addition of Reach for Resources to provide recreational inclusion services. <br /> Initiate projects scheduled in the 2025 Capital Improvement Plan <br /> Look into the feasability of a Natural Resources program for the City of Little Canada <br /> Continue to utilize the Parks Master Plan as a guide for the parks system <br /> Rather than outsource, pursue internal youth program offerings in 2025 <br /> Collaborate and Partner with local businesses/groups for various programs and events, specifically <br />Movies in the Park, 5K Sap Run, and Cookies with Santa <br /> Develop Annual Report for the Parks and Recreation Department <br /> <br />Budgetary Commentary <br />There is a net increase in this department of 5.09% or $32,892. Due to the increase of park usage and amenities, <br />one additional summer seasonal staff for parks is added. There is a 3.81% increase in the commodities sections <br />to match the average amount spent for parks and recreation supplies the past several years and a 9.14% in <br />contractual services, primarily relating to increases in utilities costs and the addition of Reach for Resources to <br />provide recreational inclusion services for persons with disabilities. <br /> <br />73