thinc design worked with Mehak, Kelly & Associates and Oraclepoll Research in the development of Orangeville’s Recreation and Parks Master Plan. This project involved extensive consultation including individual interviews with Council and senior staff; focus groups with staff, community agencies, sports groups and clubs; three surveys (random telephone, online, and user groups); two public open houses; and one virtual open house. Orangeville has a very active sports community, and its residents were very engaged in the study process, generating just under 1,000 responses to the surveys.
Orangeville is densely developed relative to the surrounding Dufferin County municipalities, which are mostly rural. Orangeville has well-developed sports and culture programs, and as such, the Town functions as a regional centre and serves a much larger population than its own. In addition, the Town hosts visitors to the acclaimed Orangeville Theatre, Blues and Jazz festival, and other events. Another key consideration in this plan is the lack of large undeveloped parcels of land for new facilities or parks. We worked with the Town on creative solutions to meet community needs within this and other constraints. Solutions included expanding existing facilities, repurposing and reconfiguring facilities, investing in partnerships, and addressing gaps in park provision by developing stormwater management ponds and streetscapes to create public spaces where there are limited parks and/or municipal land available.
