Town looking for input on master plan

The Town of Olds is looking for input into the Parks and Trails Master Plan. A survey has gone out to gather input on how parks, trails and other recreational spaces should be tailored to suit citizens going into the future.

“We're trying to get broad input from the community as to the things they like in our parks and things they would like to see improved, the things they would like to see us consider for new so that we can develop an overall plan for parks and trails as the town grows,” said Barbara Hill, director of community services.

Results will be tabulated by the end of June, with public input sessions scheduled for July 10 and 11.

“That's just the basic input to get people's ideas,” Hill said, adding that other opportunities will also be available later this summer and into the fall.

The Parks and Trails Master Plan will also be integrated into the Municipal Development Plan and other municipal documents. Once the initial consultation process is completed, town staff will take that feedback and funnel it down into further direction for them. The public will then have input into whether that direction is something it agrees with.

“We'll see what people think of those and get their priorities before we finalize the plan in the late fall,” Hill said.

The town received 28 completed surveys last week in the first week it was released. Hill said this shows that people are interested in what the plan will entail. She said last fall when the town advertised for individuals to sit on a committee to look into the plan, 18 people showed an interest.

“Parks, open space and trails are something that we know that the citizens of our community value and we're taking their ideas so that as we grow and develop as a community, we are taking into account what our citizens want,” she said.

The survey is available on the town's website at www.olds.ca.