| yorkregion.com
June 14, 2008, David Fleisher
Hey peeps! People plan now online
Ideas, input truly ‘fabulous’ for taking
Richmond Hill to the next level, town spokesperson says.
Whether you work here, live here or just like hanging out
here, if you think you know what will make Richmond Hill a
better place, all you have to do is click.
A series of online surveys provides an easy opportunity for
you to contribute to the People Plan, the town’s effort
to garner public input in developing its new strategic plan.
The first phase kicked off last year with more than 1,500
residents contributing ideas on what makes the town great
and what can make it better as it grows.
Videos and pictures were solicited at the town’s website
and on a Facebook group.
As the second phase began in the spring, community stakeholders
participated in a series of roundtables to develop strategies
for turning ideas into reality.
“They were fabulous, truly,” town manager of
grants and strategic initiatives Dan Olding said.
“They were an indication that when you bring people
together who are interested in the community and give them
a chance to talk about the issues facing the community, you
get fabulous input.”
Discussions focused on nine main areas of concern and each
of the new surveys looks at three of these.
The first survey, online between now and Tuesday, focuses
on transportation, active places and green spaces.
The second, online until June 24, asks questions about environmental
stewardship, complete communities and arts, culture and heritage.
A future survey, available in the coming weeks, deals with
community values, opportunities for all people and business
opportunities.
Each should take approximately five minutes to complete.
“These surveys are an opportunity to take what we heard
in the roundtables and go much broader,” Mr. Olding
said.
Despite the disparate themes there were some issues, including
youth involvement and how to make Richmond Hill affordable,
which came up multiple times, he added.
As part of the People Plan, the town also compiled a socio-economic
report describing the current and future demographics in Richmond
Hill, viewable on their website.
The process has been primarily about listening and the town’s
task is now to focus on where the community wants to go, Mr.
Olding said.
Once all the work is complete, town staff will create a strategic
plan, the document governing the principles by which the town
will operate in the coming years.
A draft plan should be complete in the fall and be ready
for approval by next January.
You can try the surveys and learn more about the People Plan
at www.richmondhill.ca/peopleplan
Learn more by calling 905-771-2483 or emailing peopleplan@richmondhill.ca
MOST POPULAR ANSWERS FROM THE PHASE 1 SURVEY
• If the town invested in transportation, which forms
are you most likely to use?
62.5% - transit
42.4.% - car
• What is most important to you and your well being?
66% - a safe community
54.2% - walking and cycling within my community
• What form would you like future development to take?
55% - a community well serviced by trails and transit
53 % - an area where individuals can live, work and play
• What do you think is the most effective way for
the town to reduce traffic?
57.9% - increase the frequency of public transit
44.4% - create live/work/play environment
• What is needed to make the town more vibrant?
68.6% - a revitalized village core
46.1% - preserve our heritage and history
• How could the town improve its appearance?
64.3% - revitalize the village core
61.1% - more trees
• What is most important in a community?
65.7% - feeling of safety
59.9% - good place for family
• To become a more caring community, what should we
focus on?
62.8% - safety
57.3% - strong neighbourhoods
• How can we support environmental stewardship?
64.3% - protect more natural areas
59.4% - plant more trees, creating animal habitats
• What are the main ways we could be a better place
for business?
52.7% - better transportation system
46.4% - more opportunities to live and work
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