PARKS AND TRAILS MASTER PLAN - DRAFT TERMS OF REFERENCE

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the report dated July 8, 2026 from the Director of Development Services titled “Parks and Trails Master Plan - Draft Terms of Reference” be received for information.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to present to the Committee of the Whole the draft terms of reference for the Parks and Trails Master Plan (non-core project N-129 in the 2026 – 2030 Financial Plan) to be included in the Request for Proposal (RFP).

BACKGROUND:

In the 2026-2030 Financial Plan, Council approved the Parks and Trails Master Plan as a non-core project (N-129) to be completed in 2026-2027. The project objectives in the Project Summary (refer to Attachment 1) are the following:

Undertake a park and trail needs assessments.
Review existing parks inventory and undertake an analysis of existing parks and trails, including their condition, accessibility and usage patterns.
Review the 2017 Parks Master Plan and identify strengths, opportunities, and needs for improvement.
Identify existing and new amenities and facilities, and opportunities for upgrades, accessibility improvements and Indigenous cultural presence.
Identify current and future locations of parks and trails, including acquisition and park dedication, trail standards and an implementation strategy.
Create decision-making framework for assessing land use, acquisition and dedication of parks and trails.
Develop a high-level asset management and infrastructure replacement framework to be used during future budgeting and operation planning.

A budget of $140,000 was approved for this project. The next step is to prepare the RFP and upload onto the Province’s BCBid website is July to attract interest from qualified professionals to assist the Town to undertake the project. Staff would like to have a consultant selected for this project in September.

Council has requested that draft terms of reference for projects are reviewed by the Committee prior to posting the RFP on BCBid.

ANALYSIS:

The current Parks Master Plan was adopted in 2017, which excluded trail planning. It is good practice to update master plans every 10 years to reflect the changes and evolving needs of the community. Over the last decade, the Town has acquired new parkland, welcomed new residents, experienced community growth and change, and felt the impacts of climate change. During engagement on the Official Community Plan, the community also expressed strong support for protecting and preserving the natural environment, acquiring parkland, enhancing trail networks, providing shoreline access, and supporting community well-being. This is an opportune time to work on a new Parks and Trails Master Plan for the community.

Staff have prepared the draft Terms of Reference for the Parks and Trails Master Plan project (refer to Attachment 1). The draft terms are more comprehensive than the original project summary as they provide more details on project objectives and scope to meet the intent of the project summary in the Financial Plan. Table 1 below summarizes the four phases of the project.

Phases	Summary
1. Background Research and Review	• Identify strengths, opportunities and needs for improvement in the 2017 Parks Master Plan. • Review relevant Town documents, bylaws, policies and data. • Undertake a tour of Town parks and trails.
2. Inventorying, Data Collection, Conditions Analysis and Mapping (the “Now”)	• Conduct a conditions, needs and gaps assessments. • Create digital inventory and assessment of existing parks, trails and shoreline access. • Analyze operations and management of existing parks and trails. • Update Town’s GIS mapping.
3. The Future of View Royal’s Parks and Trails (the “Wow”)	• Establish baseline data and set appropriate performance targets. • Identify accessible infrastructure and waterfront access opportunities. • Provide a prioritized list of parks and trail acquisition and improvements. • Develop Class D cost estimates.
4. Development of a Parks and Trails Master Plan (the “How”)	• Develop a community vision, goals, objectives, strategies, actions and performance targets. • Prepare current and future parks and trails maps. • Establish decision-making frameworks for assessing land use, acquisition and dedication. • Establish a high-level asset management and infrastructure replacement framework. • Identify best practices for allowing commercial uses within parks systems • Provide an evaluation, monitoring and implementation plan. • Prepare visual illustrations and graphics.

The Committee is invited to provide feedback on the draft terms prior to completing the RFP for the project.

Impacts and implications can be summarized as follows:

Community Impact: The current Parks Master Plan needs to be updated to reflect community growth and evolving needs of residents.

Financial Implication: The Financial Plan allocated $40,000 in 2026 and $100,000 in 2027 of Local Government Climate Action Program and Casino Revenue. Staff also applied for UBCM grant.

Inter-governmental Relations Impact: N/A

ALIGNMENT:

The recommended option aligns with the Town’s following core guiding documents as follows:

Strategic Plan: Strategic Priority A – Enhance Livability Goal 6: Sufficient and Appropriate Parks and Open Space 6a | Update the Parks Master Plan 6b | Develop a Trails Master Plan

Official Community Plan (2011): Action LU2: Update the Parks and Trail Master Plan to include linkages between the mixed-use centres, and to identify park requirements for the Change Areas.

Policy TR1.7 Trail System Support the development of a comprehensive multiple-use trail system in View Royal. This includes continued improvements to the Galloping Goose Trail and local trails, and development of the E&N Rail Trail. Trails should be planned and developed in accordance with regional plans, the Transportation Master Plan and a parks and trail master plan.

Action TR4: Adopt a Parks and Trail Master Plan for View Royal that identifies existing and planned trail connections. The Master Plan should build directly from the draft Parks and Trail Master Plan and include strategies for improving the regional and local trail network, as well as establish investment priorities for the Town.

Other Policy Documents: Parks Master Plan, 2017 Goal 4: Connect People and Places with Nature Strategy 16. Create looped paths where possible Action 5. Consider the development of a trails plan or a pedestrian plan that emphasizes pedestrian connectivity and recreation within View Royal.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION GOAL:

The desired level of public participation for the recommended option is:

[ ] Inform [X] Consult [ ] Involve [ ] Collaborate [ ] Empower [ ] N/A

TIME CRITICAL:

This report is time critical to proceed with posting the RFP on BCBid in July.

CONCURRENCE:

Initials	Comments
Chief Administrative Officer	SS

REVIEWED BY:

	Initials
Director of Corporate Administration	N/A
Director of Finance	N/A
Director of Development Services	LT
Director of Engineering	IL
Director of Protective Services	N/A

ATTACHMENTS:

Parks and Trails Master Plan Project Summary N-129
Draft Terms of Reference

PARKS AND TRAILS MASTER PLAN - DRAFT TERMS OF REFERENCE

TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE REPORT