At the Thursday, April 10 Committee of the Whole meeting, Champlain Township council reviewed a presentation of the township’s new Parks and Recreation Master Plan (PRMP). The PRMP aims to address the evolving needs of residents and visitors, aligning with the township’s goals for community well-being, sustainability, and inclusivity.
The presentation was developed by the Parks and Recreation Department and Cultural Spaces, an Ottawa-based sustainability consultancy.
Staff explained that the PRMP is a guide to manage and enhance the township’s public recreation parks, programs, and facilities. It includes input from two public consultation sessions in October 2024 to help the township create practical recommendations for keeping its parks and programs relevant and accessible over the next 15 years.
Notable requests and comments from the public included the need for modernization—such as updated facilities, improved accessibility, and expanded programming to adapt to the wide range of community needs.
Some of the recommendations made in the PRMP were maintaining and enhancing existing parks, expanding winter activities and increasing public skating hours, improving accessibility for people with mobility challenges, and leveraging funding opportunities to support these projects.
Staff stated that Champlain’s growing population will require the township to be proactive in developing its Parks and Recreation services in both the short and long term.
To boost community involvement in Parks and Recreation activities in L’Orignal, Mayor Normand Riopel said the council would support individuals or third-party groups interested in organizing more local events, just as it does for events in Vankleek Hill.
The draft PRMP will undergo additional revisions before the final version is returned to council for final approval on May 8, 2025.
