Recreation Strategic Plan
The County of Grande Prairie is developing a Recreation Strategic Plan to guide how recreation, parks, programs, and community services are supported and invested in across the County, now and into the future.
This project will build on the County’s strong foundation of existing recreation services and facilities, while looking ahead at emerging needs, changing demographics, and regional opportunities.
Why this plan matters:
The County has made significant investments in recreation infrastructure and services over many decades. As the community continues to grow and evolve, this plan will help answer important questions such as:
What recreation opportunities are working well today?
Where are there gaps or pressures in facilities, programs, or access?
How can the County best support partners, volunteers, and community groups?
What strategic investments should be considered over the next 10 years?
The Recreation Strategic Plan will provide a clear framework to guide future decision-making regarding recreation in the County.
What we're doing:
The planning process is being completed in five phases, each building toward a clear and actionable strategy.
Phase 1: Understanding the planning context
STATUS: Ongoing
We will review existing County plans, regional strategies, and provincial and national recreation frameworks to ensure this work aligns with broader priorities and best practices.
Phase 2: Profiling recreation in the County
STATUS: Ongoing
This phase looks closely at how recreation is experienced across the County, including:
Population and demographic trends
Facility utilization
Programs, events, and services
Community development and volunteer support
This creates a shared understanding of current provision.
Phase 3: Learning from external trends and practices
STATUS: Ongoing
We will explore emerging recreation trends and learn from comparable municipalities to guide future recreation service delivery in the County.
Key findings from Phases 1–3 will be summarized and shared as a “What We Learned” report.
Phase 4: Listening to the community
STATUS: Coming Soon!
Community input is a critical part of this process and will include:
A County-wide household survey
A survey for recreation organizations and groups
Interviews, meetings, and open houses with residents and community groups
Online information and updates throughout the process
A “What We Heard” report will summarize community input.
Phase 5: Creating the Recreation Strategic Plan
STATUS: Coming Soon!
Using research and community input, the final phase will:
Establish a vision and strategic priorities for recreation
Identify future facility and infrastructure directions
Outline approaches to service delivery, partnerships, and community development
Consider financial impacts and funding tools
Develop an action plan with clear next steps
The draft plan will be shared publicly for review before being finalized and presented to Council.