The Town of Altona has approved a comprehensive Recreation and Active Transportation Master Plan, outlining a long-term vision to enhance accessibility and inclusivity in recreational opportunities for the next two decades.
Developed through a year-long, community-driven process, the plan provides a strategic roadmap for improving Altona’s parks, facilities, and transportation networks. The plan’s development included public surveys, open houses, stakeholder meetings, and an assessment of existing recreation infrastructure to identify priorities and areas for improvement.
Mayor Harv Schroeder emphasized the importance of community involvement in drafting the plan.
“The passion and involvement from the community have always been closely tied to our excellent recreation spaces,” he said. “We had this study done to make sure we’re making thoughtful, long-term decisions with input from the community.”
The plan reflects Altona’s shifting demographics and cultural landscape, ensuring recreational facilities evolve to meet the needs of a growing and diverse population. The last Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan, created in the late ‘90s, led to the development of key assets such as the Altona Aquatic Centre, the Millennium Exhibition Centre, and a network of trails.
Since then, several community-driven projects have taken shape, including the Bridge Skate Park, upgraded playgrounds, and a disc golf course. However, growing demand necessitates expanded and modernized recreational facilities.
The new plan inventories current facilities and recommends enhancements. Key priorities include filling gaps in the trail system, ensuring equitable access to recreational spaces, expanding winter recreation opportunities, and creating a permanent dog park.
Other initiatives include expanding the campground, upgrading playgrounds and splash pads, and increasing leisure programming in arts and culture as alternatives to team sports.
One short-term priority is a multi-use trail along Centre Ave., connecting 5th St NW to 6th Ave NE. Town council is applying for National Active Transportation Fund support for the $715,000 project.
“We wanted to make sure that when opportunities like grant funding arise, we have a solid, data-driven plan in place to support our applications,” Schroeder explained.
The plan organizes projects into three priority categories: short-term (one to five years), including the Centre Ave. trail and accessibility improvements; medium-term (5-10 years), targeting facility expansions and multi-use recreational spaces; and long-term (10-20 years), allowing for developments based on evolving community needs and funding availability.
“This plan isn’t a step-by-step to-do list; it’s a list of dreams and goals of the community,” Schroeder emphasized. “Many of those dreams will be driven by the community, just like Access Field, the Community Garden, and Bridge Skate Park were in the past. Some projects make sense to begin in the next few years, some will proceed only with external funding, and some may not proceed at all.”
Another immediate priority is improving access to current recreation facilities. The Town has applied for funding to install automated access buttons at key facility doors.
“This year, we are hoping to improve use and access to existing facilities,” Schroeder said. “One way is by applying for funding for access buttons at doors across our facilities. Another is continuing our conversations with BLSD about use-of-space agreements.”
Looking ahead, council is considering facility expansions based on community demand.
“Altona has great recreation facilities and spaces,” Schroeder said. “As we look to the future, we will use this document, filled with community input, as a guide when making decisions.
“Many of our great facilities have been led by the community, with hard work, fundraising, sponsorships, and sweat equity. We look forward to working with existing and future user groups to make dreams reality.”
To read the full plan, visit altona.ca/p/recreation-active-transportation-master-plan
