Recreation Master Plan

Shaping the Future of Recreation in Ramara

The Township of Ramara has adopted an updated 2025 Recreation Master Plan in principle — a forward-looking roadmap designed to enhance parks, trails, facilities, and programs across the community over the next 10 years.

Built on community feedback, local data, and expert recommendations, the plan outlines key priorities to support active living, inclusivity, and the long-term well-being of residents of all ages and abilities.

Whether you're an avid trail user, a parent looking for new program options, or a supporter of community events, the plan provides a shared vision to guide recreation services now and into the future.

Read the 2025 Recreation Master Plan

What's in the Plan?

The 2025 Recreation Master Plan outlines priorities for the next 10 years, helping the Township make informed decisions about:

Parks and green space improvements
Expansion and maintenance of trails and pathways
Recreation programs for all ages and abilities
Upgrades to existing facilities
New facility opportunities based on community needs
Strategies for inclusive, accessible, and sustainable recreation

The plan includes both short-term actions and longer-term goals that will evolve with Ramara’s population, interests, and available resources.

How Was It Developed?

The plan was shaped by:

Public engagement: Feedback from residents through surveys and workshops
Demographic and trend analysis: Understanding how Ramara is growing and changing
Facility and service review: Evaluating the current state of parks and programs
Best practices: Looking at what works in other communities
Professional expertise: Consultation with Planscape Inc., a leader in municipal recreation planning

Thank you to all those who participated in the development of the updated plan!

What Happens Next?

Council has adopted the Recreation Master Plan in principle, meaning the Township supports the vision and direction of the plan. Individual projects or recommendations in the plan will be evaluated and considered over time through:

Annual budget processes
Operational planning by staff
Future decisions of Council

Not every recommendation is guaranteed to be implemented, but the plan provides a guiding framework for future recreation investments.

Background

In April 2024, the Township of Ramara retained Planscape Inc. to assist in the development of a 10-year Recreation Master Plan. It had been over 10 years since the last Recreation Master Plan was developed for the Township of Ramara. Population growth and changing community needs indicated the need for a review and update of the previous Master Plan.

Community engagement, data analysis, and beyond was undertaken in the creation of an updated Recreation Master Plan. On April 28, 2025, Ramara Council adopted the 2025 plan in principle.

The Recreation Master Plan looks at the Townships current recreation services, including programs, facilities, and events, and make recommendations on what types of services will be required to serve the needs of the Townships residents until 2035.

Project Goals

The development of the Recreation Master Plan achieved the following goals:

Obtain representative and detailed feedback from a range of interest-holders, ensuring those that may traditionally be underrepresented are consulted
Meaningfully engage all interest-holders in the project process, recognizing that some are more affected by the project than others.
Provide a meaningful and effective recreation master plan that serves as a long-term framework for Ramara’s recreational developments.
Create an approved Recreation Master Plan that represents the needs and priorities of the Municipality.

Frequently Asked Recreation Master Plan Questions

What is a Recreation Master Plan?

A Recreation Master Plan is a tool developed to provide municipalities with strategic guidance and policy direction related to the provision of recreational services. It can be thought of as a “blueprint” to help inform recreational service-based decision making in Ramara.

This plan also serves to provide decision makers, stakeholders, and the general public with information to understand the specific recreational needs and priorities of residents in Ramara.

The plan establishes priorities in recreational development for the next 10 years through public input and research. These approaches will be required to ensure that the right recommendations are provided for the right time in the right places.

Why did Ramara Need an Updated Recreation Master Plan?

It had been more than 10 years since the last Recreation Master Plan was developed for the Township of Ramara. Since then, the Township has grown, shifting community needs, and new facilities have been developed. New recommendations for the next 10 years must be made to ensure they match new community needs and Township growth.

Other Resources

Township of Ramara Strategic Plan

Active Transportation Plan

Economic Development Strategy