Open Space Master Plan overview

Strathcona County embarked on a journey to create an Open Space Master Plan. 

The Open Space Master Plan (OSMP) is an important component of Strathcona’s development to ensure we continue to provide a welcoming place to live with the right mix of open spaces, features and amenities to support our communities into the future.

The Master Plan provides open space criteria that guides the planning of open spaces and the functions within those spaces over the next 15 years.

While the Recreation and Culture Strategy guides which amenities and facilities are needed within open spaces, the OSMP ensures there is enough open space that is located in the right places and serves our community needs.

Open Space Master Plan pillars

Through the Master Plan phases, seven pillars were identified that provide a framework for the direction of the plan:

• Community, sport, agriculture and tourism development

• Connectivity

• Cultural and historical celebration

• Environmental stewardship

• Inclusivity

• Multi-functionality

Guided by public engagement, the pillars are tailor-made for Strathcona County's open space network.

Open Space Master Plan vision

Strathcona County's open spaces connect people, nature and community.

The vibrant network of open spaces bridge rural and urban landscapes to deliver diverse, accessible and inclusive experiences that adapt over time. This network conserves and enhances ecological health while creating leisure opportunities that nurture a vibrant, interconnected community where people and nature thrive.

Open space provision targets

The Master Plan sets targets to ensure consideration for providing enough space that is located correctly, is accessible and serves the correct function needed by the County. This forms a set of provision targets:

1. Supply: the number of parks required

2. Distribution: location in relation to where people live

3. Connectivity: how easily it can be accessed

4. Function: the amenities needed and how they're distributed

5. Quality: overall visitor experience

Open Space Master Plan history

Project phases

The creation of the Open Space Master went through three phases, along with regular public engagement efforts with over 1,700 survey responses between summer 2024 and 2025.

1. Inventory: the first phase formalized a baseline, refined park and programming classifications and scanned national and provincial trends. It also helped define where Strathcona County was doing well, and where it needed to grow.

2. Vision and pillars: the second phase involved feedback from staff and residents to create a vision to guide the County towards achieving an intended future

3. Plan development: the third phase solidified the steps needed to achieve the pillars identified during discovery phases, with a main goal of connecting open spaces with people, nature and community.

Final engagement: Open Space Master Plan

Thank you to those who shared feedback into the draft Open Space Master Plan. A What We Heard report (7.6 MB) is now available.