The Strategy will guide how we engage, plan, prioritize, design and construct parks and Valley Trail projects. It will consider local and regional demographic forecasts, Smart Tourism principles, as well as local, regional, provincial and national park trends.

The Strategy will be founded on topics of climate change, ecological integrity and stewardship, equity, diversity and inclusion, First Nations reconciliation, ageing infrastructure, and current fiscal realities. The Strategy will define the direction, philosophy, policies, and actions and create a framework for future decisions.

Whistler’s parks and Valley Trail system are a cornerstone of the Whistler experience. Many of the parks are in outstanding locations, have a full suite of typical park amenities, and they provide diverse outdoor recreation opportunities.

Visitation at municipal parks in the summer season has grown significantly in recent years, particularly at waterfront parks. This has been placing pressure on infrastructure and maintenance, as well as creating capacity and conflict issues.

Park infrastructure is in some cases approaching the end of its useful lifespan, infrastructure technology and operational approaches have changed, and new parkland has been acquired. Additionally, the community’s demographic needs and perspectives on tourism have evolved significantly since the parks were built over 30 years ago, and the municipality is faced with new financial realities.

With the Whistler resident and visitor populations growing and the needs of the community changing, the strategic planning of parks and trails has also changed including new programming opportunities and a shift to reinvestment over new development. As well, important background considerations need to be considered such as climate change, ecological integrity and stewardship, First Nations, accessibility and inclusivity, active transportation, complete communities, refuge from tourism busyness, and the uniqueness of Whistler.

Share your ideas and insights to help shape the new Parks and Valley Trail (VT) strategy.

How to share your insights:

• Join us at the Add Your Voice event on Wednesday, June 4, 5 to 7 p.m. at Nita Lake Lodge
• Take the Parks and Valley Trail survey (open until July 4)

Watch for upcoming input opportunities posted in the Pique Newsmagazine, Whistler This Week municipal e-newsletter, and social media channels.

• Parks planning best practices
• Operations and maintenance considerations
• Community input
• Council input
• Budget and funding
• RMOW Strategic Priorities
• First Nations Rights and Title
• Truth and Reconciliation
• RMOW internal expertise
• Legislation
• Smart Tourism
• Existing conditions, site constraints and geotechnical assessments
• Project timeframe