Project Summary N-136: Parks Worker

Project Summary: Parks Worker

Project ID: N-136
Financial Plan: 2026-2030
Priority: Strategic
Public Engagement: Collaborate
Project Name: Parks Worker
Project Number: 1-2-07100-201/203CC071-01
Submitted by: Ivan Leung, Director Ivan Leung, Parks

Executive Summary

To hire a full-time parks worker, to start in July 2026.

Business problem and opportunity

The staffing levels of the parks department has not changed in the last 10 years: FTE equivalents have been between 5.0-5.5FTE's in that time, and several new parks, playgrounds, and other assets have been added to the Town's inventory since then (Chilco trail system, Nursery Hill / Garry Oak Meadows, new playground and pump track at View Royal Park, new playground at Helmcken Centennial Park, new Park at BC Transit HandyDART site, 3 portable toilet installations to name a few). With the anticipated upgrades at Helmcken Centennial Park, Little Road Park, View Royal Park, new Park at BC Transit HandyDART site, and various trail improvements scheduled in the 5 year plan, an additional parks worker is required in order to keep a safe and accessible level of service within the Town's parks. There may be some benefits to the Town's urban forest strategy programming by retaining an additional parks staff.

Proposed project objectives

July 1, 2026 start date for new FTE, figures below represent combined wages and benefits.

Business risks

Maintaining levels of service and safety are at risk if this is deferred.

Proposed sources of funding

Taxation

Costs and benefits

Costs	FY1	FY2	FY3	FY4	FY5	5-year Total
Capital	0	0	0	0	0	0
Operational	42,000	85,600	87,300	89,000	90,800	394,700
Total	42,000	85,600	87,300	89,000	90,800	394,700

Benefits
Tangible
Intangible

Recommendation

THAT the Committee recommend the 2026-2030 Financial Plan include Parks Worker in 2026 and subsequent years to be funded by taxation.