Parks, Recreation & Culture Master Plan

Help Plan for Play in PA!

With the community, the City of Port Alberni is creating its first Parks, Recreation & Culture (PRC) Master Plan!

Our City has many great recreation facilities, parks, trails, and programs that provide residents opportunities to be active and engaged. But change is on the horizon. The City's population is growing, our existing facilities are aging, and we need to be strategic about how best to invest in PRC services for the future. To support sustainable and transparent decisions, the City is working with the community to create a Parks, Recreation & Culture Master Plan.

The PRC covers five core services:

Parks: Outdoor public spaces including sports fields, playgrounds, and natural areas.
Recreation Facilities: Indoor spaces including areas with dry floor, ice, aquatics, and meeting rooms.
Culture: Facilities and services that support heritage, art, music, placemaking, and events.
Programs: Recreational activities led by the City.
Trails: Off-street trails for walking and rolling, separate from active transportation routes.

Latest Report

Read the second "What we Heard" summary report.

Public Input

Engaging with our community during this process is vital to understanding community needs, priorities, and ideas.

How We Heard From You

"Connect with Your City" Open House & Master Plan presentations (September 2024 & November 2025)
Master Planning Open House (March 2025)
Community Ideas Survey (2024)
Community Review Survey (2025)
Interest Group Workshops (October 2024)

Fall 2026: Upcoming Public Input Opportunity

The PRC master planning process includes another public comment period this Fall. Until then, you are still invited to share your feedback with us. Reach out to us at master_plans@portalberni.ca or through the contact information located in the "Who's Listening" right-hand sidebar of this page.

Planning Process & Timelines

We are now in the last phase of the planning process.

What's Next

The draft PRC master plan will be shared with internal interest groups and the public through an online comment period. The PRC Master Plan will then be finalized and referred to City Council.

Help Plan for Play in PA!

With the community, the City of Port Alberni is creating its first Parks, Recreation & Culture (PRC) Master Plan!

Our City has many great recreation facilities, parks, trails, and programs that provide residents opportunities to be active and engaged. But change is on the horizon. The City's population is growing, our existing facilities are aging, and we need to be strategic about how best to invest in PRC services for the future. To support sustainable and transparent decisions, the City is working with the community to create a Parks, Recreation & Culture Master Plan.

The PRC covers five core services:

Parks: Outdoor public spaces including sports fields, playgrounds, and natural areas.
Recreation Facilities: Indoor spaces including areas with dry floor, ice, aquatics, and meeting rooms.
Culture: Facilities and services that support heritage, art, music, placemaking, and events.
Programs: Recreational activities led by the City.
Trails: Off-street trails for walking and rolling, separate from active transportation routes.

Latest Report

Read the second "What we Heard" summary report.

Public Input

Engaging with our community during this process is vital to understanding community needs, priorities, and ideas.

How We Heard From You

"Connect with Your City" Open House & Master Plan presentations (September 2024 & November 2025)
Master Planning Open House (March 2025)
Community Ideas Survey (2024)
Community Review Survey (2025)
Interest Group Workshops (October 2024)

Fall 2026: Upcoming Public Input Opportunity

The PRC master planning process includes another public comment period this Fall. Until then, you are still invited to share your feedback with us. Reach out to us at master_plans@portalberni.ca or through the contact information located in the "Who's Listening" right-hand sidebar of this page.

Planning Process & Timelines

We are now in the last phase of the planning process.

What's Next

The draft PRC master plan will be shared with internal interest groups and the public through an online comment period. The PRC Master Plan will then be finalized and referred to City Council.

Round 2 Engagement Summary Report - Now Available!

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We’re excited to share the “Round 2 Engagement Summary - Winter 2026" report for Port Alberni’s Parks, Recreation & Culture (PRC) Master Plan. Phase 2 focused on the development of emerging recommendations for PRC services and coordinating review and input through a second round of engagement. From November 2025 to January 2026, the City welcomed feedback from over 500 residents, business owners, and visitors on the goals, visions, and emerging directions for the PRC Master Plan.
Public Engagement Opportunities Informing The Report
Community survey (November 26 to January 9, 2026)
"Connect with your City" Open House event (November 2025)
Meetings with special interest holders (March 2025, June-July 2025, January 2026)
Thank you to all who took time to engage and share their input and ideas in phase 2! The team is now reviewing and analyzing the input to inform the draft PRC master plan. We will refer the draft plan back to the community for review by fall 2026. Stay tuned for engagement dates!

Explore the Full Report
Read the report here or Navigate to the "Project Documents" sidebar to the right on this page.

Report Highlights
Draft Vision
Proposed Values
The draft master plan is guided by 7 values. These values act as a ‘checklist’ for proposed improvements and actions; if a proposed project meets these values, it will support the vision and intent for Port Alberni’s PRC services.
Collaborating for community
Looking forward and finding focus
Balance costs and revenue
Wellbeing for everyone
Connecting our community
Celebrating our foundations
Maintaining what we have

Top 5 Priorities from emerging Recommendations List identified through the Community Survey - Round 2

Next Steps
Round 3 engagement will begin with a review of the draft plan. Engagement will involve interest group referrals and an online posting and comment period. The Parks, Recreation & Culture Master Plan will then be finalized and referred to City Council.
We’re excited to share the “Round 2 Engagement Summary - Winter 2026" report for Port Alberni’s Parks, Recreation & Culture (PRC) Master Plan. Phase 2 focused on the development of emerging recommendations for PRC services and coordinating review and input through a second round of engagement. From November 2025 to January 2026, the City welcomed feedback from over 500 residents, business owners, and visitors on the goals, visions, and emerging directions for the PRC Master Plan.
Public Engagement Opportunities Informing The Report
Community survey (November 26 to January 9, 2026)
"Connect with your City" Open House event (November 2025)
Meetings with special interest holders (March 2025, June-July 2025, January 2026)
Thank you to all who took time to engage and share their input and ideas in phase 2! The team is now reviewing and analyzing the input to inform the draft PRC master plan. We will refer the draft plan back to the community for review by fall 2026. Stay tuned for engagement dates!

Explore the Full Report
Read the report here or Navigate to the "Project Documents" sidebar to the right on this page.

Report Highlights
Draft Vision
Proposed Values
The draft master plan is guided by 7 values. These values act as a ‘checklist’ for proposed improvements and actions; if a proposed project meets these values, it will support the vision and intent for Port Alberni’s PRC services.
Collaborating for community
Looking forward and finding focus
Balance costs and revenue
Wellbeing for everyone
Connecting our community
Celebrating our foundations
Maintaining what we have

Top 5 Priorities from emerging Recommendations List identified through the Community Survey - Round 2

Next Steps
Round 3 engagement will begin with a review of the draft plan. Engagement will involve interest group referrals and an online posting and comment period. The Parks, Recreation & Culture Master Plan will then be finalized and referred to City Council.
Join Us! Connect with Your City Open House Featuring Master Planning Engagement

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The PRCMP is growing with your input! With a background report, Round 1 engagement summary, and a draft vision already complete, the project is now advancing through technical reviews and conversations with community groups.
The voices of residents are shaping the future of parks, trails, recreation spaces, and cultural facilities, helping us imagine what these spaces could look like in the years ahead.
Join us as we host presentations and Q&A sessions for the Parks, Recreation, and Culture Master Plan (PRCMP) and Transportation Master Plan (TMP), followed by the third annual Connect with Your City Open House.
Date: Wednesday, November 26th, 2025
Location: Cedar Room of the Echo ’67 Community Centre (4255 Wallace Street):

Presentations and Q&A Session: 4:30 – 6:00 PM (Doors open 4:15 PM - registration required)

Connect With Your City Open House: 6:00 – 8:00 PM (open to all)

Childminding is available during the event.
Presentations and Q&A Sessions
The presentations and Q&A sessions are focused, interactive discussions on the Parks, Recreation & Culture Master Plan and the Transportation Master Plan.
Participants can provide feedback on draft visions, goals, and strategies, and speak directly with project staff to ask questions and explore ideas in depth. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required to attend. [Register here]
Connect With Your City Open House
At the third annual Connect with Your City Open House you can explore your city services, meet dedicated staff behind the important projects and initiatives that build your community, and gain a deeper understanding of the vital role each department plays in making Port Alberni a better place to live. Enjoy interactive displays, snacks, prize giveaways, and more! We also have childminding on site, provided by our wonderful Parks, Recreation and Culture staff, to keep your kiddies entertained while you connect on what matters most.
The PRCMP is growing with your input! With a background report, Round 1 engagement summary, and a draft vision already complete, the project is now advancing through technical reviews and conversations with community groups.
The voices of residents are shaping the future of parks, trails, recreation spaces, and cultural facilities, helping us imagine what these spaces could look like in the years ahead.
Join us as we host presentations and Q&A sessions for the Parks, Recreation, and Culture Master Plan (PRCMP) and Transportation Master Plan (TMP), followed by the third annual Connect with Your City Open House.
Date: Wednesday, November 26th, 2025
Location: Cedar Room of the Echo ’67 Community Centre (4255 Wallace Street):

Presentations and Q&A Session: 4:30 – 6:00 PM (Doors open 4:15 PM - registration required)

Connect With Your City Open House: 6:00 – 8:00 PM (open to all)

Childminding is available during the event.
Presentations and Q&A Sessions
The presentations and Q&A sessions are focused, interactive discussions on the Parks, Recreation & Culture Master Plan and the Transportation Master Plan.
Participants can provide feedback on draft visions, goals, and strategies, and speak directly with project staff to ask questions and explore ideas in depth. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required to attend. [Register here]
Connect With Your City Open House
At the third annual Connect with Your City Open House you can explore your city services, meet dedicated staff behind the important projects and initiatives that build your community, and gain a deeper understanding of the vital role each department plays in making Port Alberni a better place to live. Enjoy interactive displays, snacks, prize giveaways, and more! We also have childminding on site, provided by our wonderful Parks, Recreation and Culture staff, to keep your kiddies entertained while you connect on what matters most.

Page last updated: 08 Jul 2026, 03:25 PM