Past Events
parks & recreation leadership summit
This three-day summit at Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa brings together current and emerging leaders to explore visionary strategies, inspiring stories, and practical tools that are shaping the future of parks and recreation.
2025 Summit
january 8 - 10, 2025
harrison hot springs & spa, british columbia
The Parks and Recreation Leadership Summit featured motivating narratives and cutting-edge strategies that are influencing the future of community and recreational areas. From Paul Fast’s inspiring story of resilience and optimism to perspectives from the 2024 Framework renewal, and useful tools for incorporating equity into planning. Experts presented best practices for facility development and policies aimed at creating inclusive environments, while Gillian illustrated how storytelling and metaphors can make concepts memorable.
polar bear dip
This year, our delegates kicked off the first-ever polar bear dip in the history of Harrison Summits, where 18 daring participants plunged into frigid waters!
We raised a remarkable total of $520.00, which will support the activities of not-for-profit volunteer and educational organizations across British Columbia that run programs and services in line with this mission. We’re absolutely thrilled to have this new tradition be a part of the summit and can’t wait to build on the energy for next year!
we raised $520.00
Hot topics in recreation & parks
Explore the latest discussions and innovations shaping the future of recreation, parks, and community services.
- Inclusivity Initiatives: Integrate ASL support, large fonts, and best practices for accessibility.
- Infrastructure Improvements: Enhance access to parks, transit, and washrooms.
- Proximity Considerations: Focus on creating spaces accessible to diverse community members.
- Education and Advocacy: Leverage programs like RHFAC to drive education on accessibility
- Asset Management: Develop policies for maintenance and sustainable redevelopment.
- Funding Solutions: Explore sponsorships, grants, and capital reserves.
- Decision-Making Frameworks: Assess whether to renovate or build new based on ROI.
- Policy Alignment: Ensure infrastructure investments meet future demands.
- Transparent Communication: Engage communities in renewal planning.
- Equitable Criteria: Establish clear and consistent guidelines for allocation.
- Conflict Resolution: Develop mechanisms for managing disputes among user groups.
- Emerging Sports Integration: Create policies that adapt to new and evolving sports.
- Community Partnerships: Collaborate with organizations to optimize resource usage.
- Operational Adjustments: Prepare for program disruptions due to extreme weather.
- Sustainability Measures: Integrate these at project inception for maximum impact.
- Facility Adaptations: Implement cooling measures, indoor air quality management, and safe water access.
- Best Practices for Data Collection: Focus on consistent, qualitative, and quantitative approaches.
- Social Media Integration: Leverage phone-based and social platforms for real-time data.
- Business Analytics Utilization: Organize data for actionable insights.
- Collaboration Between Regions: Share data to improve consistency and innovation.
- Guiding Principles and Deliverables: Establish clear matrices and implementation plans.
- Thorough Engagement: Involve diverse groups, including Indigenous communities and special interest organizations.
- Flexibility in Planning: Address changing political landscapes and priorities.
- Long-Term Vision: Update plans regularly (every five years) to remain relevant.
- Clear Objectives: Identify the “why” behind master plans to ensure alignment with other policies.
- Historical Data Analysis: Examine patterns to inform better decision-making.
- KPI Development: Create measurable benchmarks for social return on investment.
- Policy and Framework Creation: Use global DEI benchmarks to guide activities and policies.
- Challenges in Data Gathering: Address limitations and innovate solutions for comprehensive data collection.
- Sustainable Solutions: Manage dual pressures of increased usage and environmental concerns.
- Visitation Management: Innovate ways to handle overuse and high visitation levels.
- Structured Spaces: Expand structured recreational areas like turf fields.
- Community Expectations: Balance engagement with practical policies for growth and preservation.
- Empowering Leadership at All Levels: Foster accountability, autonomy, and collaboration.
- Transformational Approaches: Encourage empathy and adaptability to drive organizational change.
- Future-Focused Planning: Build leadership “muscle memory” through experience and proactive strategies.
- Consistency in Organizational Culture: Develop clear frameworks for achieving uniform leadership goals.
- Applications of AI: Trend analysis, email drafting, and policy summaries.
- Ethical Considerations: Address energy consumption, confidentiality, and intellectual property rights.
- Advanced Functions: Explore complex uses to enhance operational efficiency.
From a Consultant Perspective
- Set clear budgets and realistic expectations.
- Streamline internal processes for efficiency.
- Ensure concise communication of priorities.
From a PRC Perspective
- Secure council buy-in and clarify commitments.
- Incorporate contingency plans for flexibility.
- Align timelines with Indigenous and First Nations collaboration.
- Investment in Professional Development: Offer courses, training opportunities, and education funding.
- Flexible Work Arrangements: Implement 4-day work weeks, flexible scheduling, and options like sabbaticals or unpaid time off.
- Internal Career Growth: Host in-house job fairs and prioritize hiring from auxiliary staff.
- Knowledge Retention: Address challenges of rapid role turnover by fostering mentorship and role continuity.
- Compensation Strategies: Review wages and benefits to remain competitive in attracting and retaining talent.
past sessions
Past session presentations are available here for easy reference. Browse downloadable slide decks and materials from previous workshops, keynote sessions, and training events to revisit key insights, share information with your team, or catch up on anything you may have missed.
striving towards equity in parks & recreation
Catherine Berris – Urban Systems | Rossana Ho – Urban Systems | Corrinne Garrett – City of New Westminster
This session explores how equity connects to parks and recreation, offering background, current work, and practical experiences integrating equity into planning and outcomes. It highlights two main aspects: balancing the needs of diverse users and understanding how trees relate to equity.