5.7 Parks, Open Space and Trails

5.8 Parks, Open Space and Trails

Goal:
To plan, develop and maintain an open space system to meet the present and future recreational, environmental, aesthetic, educational and quality of life needs of Sturgeon County residents.

Intent

Sturgeon County prepared the Sturgeon County Open Space Plan Update 2004 Strategic Report which identified opportunities to enhance the County’s recreation assets in augmenting recreation, open spaces and trail development throughout the County and within and adjacent to the ASP area. Sturgeon County is also a member of the North Saskatchewan River Valley Alliance that is collaborating with other member municipalities to enhance recreational opportunities and trail development from Devon to Fort Saskatchewan. The intent is to implement policy directions coming out of these two initiatives through provisions in this ASP.

In order to contribute to an improved quality of life for County residents in or near Alberta’s Industrial Heartland, Sturgeon County plans to reinvest a portion of the tax revenues in community facilities and amenities as part of a Community Enhancement Program for Alberta’s Industrial Heartland.

Objectives

to protect environmentally sensitive lands;
to maintain the County’s scenic character and setting;
to identify ways of linking and integrating parks, trails and open spaces between Sturgeon County and adjacent municipalities;
to strategically acquire additional reserve lands; and
to develop and invest in a Community Enhancement Program to maintain and enhance the quality of life for County residents.

Policies

5.8.1	Acquire Environmental Greenways Along the North Saskatchewan River Valley Corridor	Sturgeon County shall acquire lands through environmental and municipal dedication and conservation easements along the North Saskatchewan and Sturgeon River Valley corridors for a multi purpose greenway through the subdivision and development permit application processes. Wherever feasible, integrate and link to major river corridors, sustainable natural areas, existing parks and open space systems.
5.8.2	Criteria for Acquisition of Municipal Reserves	Municipal Reserve will be taken at the time of subdivision in accordance with Policy 3.5.5 in the Sturgeon County Open Space Plan Update as may be amended from time to time.
5.8.3	Acquire Important Corridors of Private Land for Trail Development	Where possible, Sturgeon County will negotiate potential acquisition of significant sections of land, especially river frontage to provide a corridor for future trail development.
5.8.4	Environmental Management Issues	Ensure that safety, risk, and environmental management issues associated with potential recreational and trail development within, or in proximity to, heavy industrial areas, pipeline/utility corridors, well sites and seismic operations are addressed to the satisfaction of the County, other regulatory agencies, and industry.
5.8.5	Community Enhancement Program	The County will develop a Community Enhancement Program commencing in 2008, as described in Policy 6.1.13.