Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh Parks & Recreation Strategic Plan
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The Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh (ACW) is a sprawling, predominantly agricultural community located along the scenic shores of Lake Huron. With a low population density and residents spread across seven main villages and numerous hamlets, providing cohesive recreation services presents a unique geographic challenge. thinc design was commissioned to develop a comprehensive Strategic Plan to guide the Township’s parks, trails, and indoor facility investments through 2032, ensuring the system evolves alongside a projected 17.6% population growth.
Information for the Strategic Plan was provided by the Township and gathered through research activities including extensive in-person staff and Council interviews, open houses, and engagement the ACW community online. Detailed facilities, programs, and open space inventories were also completed.
The resulting plan provides a visionary yet practical roadmap for the Township’s 240 hectares of open space. The implementation strategy contains 199 recommendations, with phasing and costing estimated over the 10-year term of the Plan. Key recommendations include the development of new community parks in Saltford and Benmiller, a “concept plan” for the signature Ashfield Park, and a series of “cues to care” for naturalization initiatives to balance ecological health with resident aesthetic preferences. We also addressed complex service delivery models, providing guidance on the Township’s joint-agreement facilities and proposing a new Program Developer role to bridge the gap between municipal infrastructure and community-led recreation. By integrating land-use planning with social inclusion and financial sustainability, thinc design delivered a strategy that protects ACW’s rural character while fostering a vibrant, active future.
