FAQs
- Improvements to the electrical systems at Lakeside Park to better support special events and enhance Fantasy of Lights
- Lighting and electrical improvements at the Kingsville Recreation Sports Complex baseball diamonds, which will improve lighting efficiency on Diamonds 1 and 2, and provide electrical for pitching machines on other diamonds
- Rehabilitation of the Pickleball Courts at the Kingsville Recreation Sports Complex
- Improvements to the Tennis Courts at the Ridgeview Recreation Sports Complex in Cottam
- Installation of interactive sensory stencils and chessboard picnic tables at Lakeside Park, in collaboration with Kingsville Rotary Southshore
- Park garbage is emptied and outdoor washrooms are cleaned once daily from Monday through Thursday, and twice daily from Friday through Sunday.
- Our beaches (Cedar Island Beach and Cedar Beach) are groomed twice a week
- Our waterfront access points (Such as Lakeside Park, Mettawas and the bottom of Division) are groomed twice a month.
What parks and recreation projects does the Town already have planned in the near future?
The Town has the following plans for Kingsville's Parks and Recreation Department:
Where is Kingsville growing?
The 2024 County of Essex Official Plan estimates that by 2051, Kingsville's population will gro by 10,300 people to a total population of 33,100 residents. Opportunities for new development will occur along Main Street West between County Road 50 and McCain Sideroad.
The Town should start planning for the type of park (or parks) we should add to service these new residents and the broader community. Should we be looking at a series of small parkettes? Or a larger community park with a variety of amenities, such as Lakeside or Ridgeview?
What is parkland dedication?
Provincial legislation allows municipalities to require the conveyance of land for parks and other recreational purposes when new development occurs. This contribution can come in the form of land (for a future park), or payment in lieu of land (which would be used to purchase land for parks).
The Town has acquired many of its subdivision parkettes through the dedication of land by developers. If the community feels that we should develop another large community park instead of these smaller parkettes, the cash in lieu of parkland may make more sense for us. That way, when future development occurs, we can save up to purchase of a large parcel of land to build a single park space to serve as a community park.
Read the Town's Park Dedication By-law.
What types of recreational amenities does Kingsville already have? How do we compare to our neighbours?
In 2023, the Town of Essex completed a Community Services Master Plan and compared the inventory of various recreation assets and playing surfaces across the region. The Town of Kingsville has an above-average number of soccer pitches, tennis courts, and pickleball courts in the area. We rank in the middle when comparing playground equipment, outdoor event spaces, and outdoor aquatics (pools and splash pads). However, we are slightly below average when comparing playing surfaces like baseball diamonds and basketball courts.
Why doesn't Kingsville have a pool? Why doesn't Kingsville have a second ice pad?
We often get questions such as these, and the answer is simple: the cost would be substantial. We are not just speaking of the building costs, but the short and long-term maintenance and staffing costs required to operate. It would be a significant tax burden on residents, and Administration is not pursuing a pool or second Arena ice pad in the scope of this review.
Can Kingsville provide a higher service level in its current parks, garden beds and playing surfaces?
The Town has established standards for the effective management and maintenance of current town-owned properties, sports fields, playing surfaces, and other outdoor amenities. To understand how Kingsville could provide a higher service levels, it is helpful to understand from where we're starting.
Service level examples during heavy use season (from May to September)
If the community wants a higher level of attention to our parks and recreational amenities, the Town needs additional resources, including staff and equipment. Securing these resources will require increased funding, which may come from taxation or user fees.
As with anything, there are many competing financial priorities to consider. The community will need to help determine whether improvements to parks and recreational amenities should be a priority.