Green space budget gets big boost

City council committee votes to spend $11.5M on new parks, $15M more to fix up existing sites

City councillors on Thursday followed up on their push to create more green space by approving budget plans to invest heavily in public parks next year.

Members of the community and protective services committee approved its massive $1-billion 2014 operating budget and a $47.9-million capital budget. Both will be voted on by council later this month.

The budget shows a 1.8 per cent overall increase compared to last year with cuts made in as many areas as possible to account for the investments in parks and recreation.

Spending for new parks next year will reach $11.5 million, while another $15 million will be spent on rehabilitating existing buildings and parks, according to the documents presented to committee.

“There are a significant number of parks planned for 2014. I’m hoping we’re seeing a shift in the thinking here in the city,” said Coun. Steve Desroches. “If we can put in the electricity, street lights, the roads, the storm water, the sewers, all the critical infrastructure when a community is formed ... the parks should not take, in some cases, great amounts of time to go in.”

There has also been a significant push in recent years from urban councillors who want to create more parks in wards that continue to see increased densification.

Family- friendly parks would help make these areas more attractive, which will go a long way to meeting the city’s intensification targets.

“Some of our areas are in dire need of park space,”

‘If we can put in the electricity, street lights, the roads, the storm water, the sewers ... when a community is formed ... the parks should not take ... great amounts of time to go in.’

STEVE DESROCHES

Ottawa city councillor

Fleury said, supporting next year’s investment.

In total, the parks, recreation and culture department accounts for $90 million in operating costs, which is an 11 per cent increase over 2013.

The opening of Richcraft Recreation Complex in Kanata and the Minto Recreation Complex in Barrhaven also account for much of the increase in 2014.

Council will review budgets for all its standing committees and boards at a meeting on Nov. 27 before giving approval.