2020 Annual Report

Services Provided by City Departments

Recreation & Community Engagement Director of Recreation & Community Engagement: Danielle Pope Recreation & Community Engagement (RCE) provides recreation, culture and social programs, services and spaces for residents and visitors of Maple Ridge. RCE prioritizes accessibility and inclusivity, investing in valued partnerships and opportunities that enhance the quality of life of citizens and support a healthy community. The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the closure of the City’s recreation facilities including the temporary cancellation of community programs including sports, fitness, children and youth activities. Reopening plans required significant coordination including the development of site and program specific safety plans and protocols that resulted in program and service delivery redesign and the introduction of virtual events and activities to meet the evolving provincial health order requirements. The Recreation & Community Engagement Department navigated these challenges to provide Maple Ridge residents and visitors with opportunities to participate in a variety of activities. Our Parks Ambassadors visited local parks in the spring and summer of 2020 to educate park users about social distancing and other Covid-19 safety protocols. Their work is guided by a number of strategic documents including the Parks, Recreation & Culture Master Plan, Sport and Physical Activity Strategy, Youth Strategy, Culture Plan and the Age Friendly Action Plan. Parks Operation Services This section is responsible for the maintenance of all municipal parks and open spaces, including our extensive trail network, sports fields, sports courts, playgrounds, skatepark, horticultural displays, urban forest and boulevard trees, dog off leash areas and a large number of greenbelt areas throughout the community. The Parks & Open Space section also manages a number of service contracts including mowing, tree work, litter and garbage pickup and disposal, as well as service agreements for park caretakers, washrooms and specified maintenance areas. This section is also responsible for the day-to-day maintenance and coordination of interments at our two municipal cemeteries.

Parks & Facilities Department Director of Parks & Facilities: Valoree Richmond The Parks & Facilities Department has three main areas including Parks Planning & Development, Facility Maintenance & Operations and Parks Operations & Services. Each of these areas contributes to healthy lifestyles of this rapidly growing community through the provision and maintenance of a wide variety of parks and recreation facilities. During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the Parks & Facilities Department supported all City service areas by increasing cleaning services in City facilities to meet the Provincial Health Order protocols and WorkSafe BC standards. Council Chambers was renovated to ensure public meetings could continue safely and a virtual Grand Opening celebration for the new Telosky Stadium Synthetic Fields and Fieldhouse was showcased with City and School Board officials and First Nations representatives in compliance with Provincial Health Orders. Maple Ridge’s parks and trails had a record number of visitors through 2020, supported with a new Park Ambassador Program initiated early on in the pandemic to ensure the enjoyment and safety of visitors. Two of the City’s recreation infrastructure projects were completed, including the renovation of the Maple Ridge Leisure Centre’s leisure pool, mechanical systems, lobby and changerooms with a ribbon cutting celebration held in February and the Telosky Stadium project along with a new neighbourhood park, Beckett Park, which opened for the public in July. Parks Planning & Development This section is responsible for the timely acquisition of parkland, along with the planning and development of new parks and renovation of existing park facilities as they reach the end of their useful life. This includes engaging with the community to develop conceptual plans for new parks, developing tender documents and overseeing park construction as well as major infrastructure improvements to existing parks and recreation areas. Facility Maintenance & Operations Facility Maintenance & Operations is responsible for the maintenance of a number of recreation facilities and city-owned buildings. This includes assessments and preventative maintenance programs, repairs and lifecycle replacement of building systems and components, including elevators, HVAC, roofing, mechanical, security and fire systems, along with routine building repairs and janitorial services. This section is also responsible for developing tender documents and overseeing construction of new city facilities, completing life-cycle repairs, replacement projects as well as major renovations.

City of Maple Ridge - 2020 Annual Report 21