Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The City of Terrace’s Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan is a strategic guiding document that identifies the vision, principles, goals, broad strategies, actions, and implementation priorities for the municipal parks, trails, recreation facilities, and related services. It provides guidance to Council and staff to inform ongoing budget planning, policy development, decision making, work planning, and the development of more detailed plans. It is not a detailed planning document for specific parks, trails, issues, or interests.

Terrace’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan was last updated in 2016, and a lot has happened since then. The City has completed many of the priorities identified in that plan, and global and local trends have affected how people use parks and recreation spaces. An updated Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan will confirm outstanding priorities, identify new opportunities, and help guide where and how the City invests in its parks and recreation system over the next 10 years and beyond.

The Master Plan update is a key action directed by City of Terrace Council through the Capital Budget process. Several other recently approved, underway, or upcoming initiatives and plans are also relevant to the parks and trails system, including the Official Community Plan, Transportation Plan, Tetrault Parks Plan, and others. Related initiatives being developed by First Nations, other governments, and non-governmental organizations will also be considered through the engagement and research process.

Terrace has a variety of park types. The park categories managed by the City and referenced in this plan include the following:

• Destination Parks draw visitors from across the City and beyond. People may visit these parks because of their natural features, built facilities, cultural features, or recreation opportunities. Destination parks encourage people to spend time “in the park” for activities such as picnics, special events, sports, and recreation. Examples: Ferry Island, George Little Park, Skeenaview Park, and Fisherman’s Memorial Park.
• Community Parks primarily serve several neighbourhoods and include a range of recreational facilities, such as playgrounds, walkways or trails, parking lots, and sports fields. They are intended to form a visual, physical, and social focus for the community. Examples: Kerr Rotary Park.
• Neighbourhood Parks generally serve catchment areas similar to those of elementary schools. Neighbourhood parks typically include play equipment, pathways, open grass areas, and seating. In downtown locations, they may be more urban in character, with features such as plazas, ornamental planting, public art, and seating. They generally do not include dedicated parking. Example: Constable Mike Buday Park.
• Linear Parks primarily support trails. Other amenities may include benches, staging areas, signs, and planting. When two or more linear parks are combined, they may form a greenway. Example: Nelson Trail (Grand Trunk Pathway).
• Natural Parks are dominated by natural features such as forests, watercourses, and shorelines. Recreation use in natural areas is usually limited to trail use and nature appreciation. Depending on their size, location, and characteristics, natural parks may be used by residents of one neighbourhood or by the entire City. Facilities such as parking lots, signs, trails, gathering areas, and washrooms may support public access and use. Examples: Howe Creek Park, portions of Ferry Island, Lanfear Tree Park, and Terrace Mountain.
• Beautification Parks are small areas of parkland used for beautification, with features such as ornamental plantings, public art, signs, and other urban design elements. Examples include the City’s gateways, Skeena Viewpoint, Lanfear Tree Park, and plantings along roadways.
• Athletic Parks provides outdoor sport and recreation opportunities including fields, courts, and ancillary uses such as fieldhouse, washrooms, seating, play, etc. that attract users from across the City and visitors participating in sport. Examples: Christy Park, Elks Park, and Riverside Park. 

Other Parks that are an integral part of our park system in Terrace include:

• School Parks: Owned and operated by the School District and open to the public outside of school hours.
• Crown Lands: Public lands used by the community through unsanctioned trails and passive recreation uses, although not designated or operated as a park by the Province.
• Community Gardens: Located on City land, with materials and support provided by the City. The gardens are run by a non-profit community group. These gardens provide valuable amenities and park-like qualities; however, these sites are not zoned as parks and are not included in the classification system.

Public rights-of-way (ROWs) are an important component of the park system. They provide connections for active transportation and can also support wildlife corridors, enhance greenery and biodiversity, and improve overall aesthetics. Some ROWs, such as portions of the Nelson Trail (Grand Trunk Pathway), have been designated as park.

Yes. Indoor facilities and recreational programming are part of the City’s recreation facilities planning and will be integrated into Phase 2 of the project’s engagement strategy and implementation planning. Phase 1 focuses on outdoor parks, recreation, and natural spaces needs and priorities.

Terrace has a variety of challenges to address in the coming years related to the management of parks and recreation services. Understanding these challenges allows the City to identify opportunities that respond to current and future needs. Examples include:

• Continued growth in our population, along with changes in age composition and socio-economic diversity
• Emerging parks and recreation needs and requests, such as greater demand for municipal programming
• Aging infrastructure and the need to undertake facility renewal or repurposing
• Efficient and effective service delivery, including partnerships with the community and other providers
• Funding limitations, which require priority-setting and creative approaches

Community input during Phases 1 and 2 will provide important insights into how people use Terrace parks, identify future priorities, and highlight challenges and barriers. Input will be used to refine the draft Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan for Council review in 2027.

You can stay involved by:

• Visiting the project pages on engage.terrace.ca and subscribing to the project email list
• Watching for updates on our social media
• Sending your questions to pr@terrace.ca
• Watching for announcements in parks and on trails