Hawkesbury’s recreation services for the public are now ready for the future with approval of a new master plan.

During their last regular session in June before the summer break, Hawkesbury council members approved the new Parks and Recreation Master Plan.

“As part of its long-term planning efforts,” stated the report, “the Town of Hawkesbury undertook the development of a Parks and Recreation Master Plan aimed at guiding the management, development, and investment related to recreational facilities, programs, and infrasttucture over the next 15 years.”

Developed by Sierra Planning and Management, the new plan will help guide the present and future councils on planning and budgeting decisions for community parks and recreation services and programs. The new plan is based on several months of review and public consultation by Sierra Planning and Management on existing parks and recreation facilities and services, with comments and suggestions from residents and stakeholder groups on both existing services and programs and possible new ones for the town to add in future. An online survey also received more than 650 responses that provided “significant feedback from residents” concerning existing and future recreation facilities needs and priorities.