Robinson Property

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Consultation has concluded

Better known as the Penticton Seniors’ Drop-in Centre, the six-acre Robinson Property was granted to the City in 1982 and dedicated as a park. The property has evolved considerably since it changed hands and is now the hub of senior activity in the city hosting pickleball, horseshoes, bocce in addition to the Penticton Seniors’ Drop-in Centre. With requests to continue or expand programming on the site, the Parks and Recreation Master Plan recommended the City create a master plan to prioritize and manage requests on the popular property. Watch this site for information about the property and opportunities to get involved in the development of the plan. (Click on the News Feed tab to see the history of work on this project.)

Better known as the Penticton Seniors’ Drop-in Centre, the six-acre Robinson Property was granted to the City in 1982 and dedicated as a park. The property has evolved considerably since it changed hands and is now the hub of senior activity in the city hosting pickleball, horseshoes, bocce in addition to the Penticton Seniors’ Drop-in Centre. With requests to continue or expand programming on the site, the Parks and Recreation Master Plan recommended the City create a master plan to prioritize and manage requests on the popular property. Watch this site for information about the property and opportunities to get involved in the development of the plan. (Click on the News Feed tab to see the history of work on this project.)

Consultation has concluded
  • See the draft Robinson Property Master Plan

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    The City has prepared a draft of the Robinson Property Master Plan for residents to view at one of two upcoming open houses. The first open house will run from 5 pm to 7 pm on May 29 and the second will run from 9 am to 1:30 pm as part of the 25th Anniversary Celebration of the Penticton Seniors’ Drop-in Centre on June 1.

    “This plan aims to build on the tradition of the site as a recreation hub for seniors while enhancing the natural setting of the park,” says Len Robson, Manager of Public Works. “We’re looking forward to hearing if we have hit the right balance.”

    The draft plan consolidates the feedback collected from 153 residents on three preliminary concepts shared in March. Some of the key features of the consolidated draft include:

    · Room to expand the Penticton Seniors’ Drop-in Centre pending necessary approvals

    · Four more pickleball courts as approved by Council in 2015 bringing the total to eight

    · A feature sculpture and new park sign

    · A natural area with shaded seating and a community garden

    · Protection of the trees in the arboretum

    · A walking path with outdoor fitness equipment

    · Reconfiguration of the entrance and expansion of the parking area to add 50 parking stalls

    · Continued support for the bocce ball and horseshoe enthusiasts

    The next step is to share this draft of the plan with the community before reviewing it with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee for a recommendation and then Council for approval. “We want to check in with the community to ensure that the draft we are putting forward to the Parks Committee and Council accurately reflects what we heard from the public,” says Robson. “We also want to thank the members of the clubs on the site and the residents and businesses in the surrounding area for participating in this process.”

    The results of the feedback from the engagement activities in March as well as a copy of the draft plan are now available on www.shapeyourcitypenticton.ca.


  • Robinson Property concepts ready for viewing

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    The City has completed the concepts for the Robinson Property Park Master Plan and is ready to share them with the community. The new Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee had the first look at their meeting on Thursday and now residents are invited to provide their thoughts.

    “We created three versions for the community to consider. One that maximizes the amenities, one that maximizes the green space and one that balances the two,” says Len Robson, Public Works Manager. “We are asking citizens to look at the concepts, tell us which features they like and don’t like so that we can prepare a recommended version.”

    The concepts were based on input from representatives of the Penticton Seniors’ Drop-in Centre, recreation groups that are active on the site such as pickleball and horseshoes, the community-at-large as well as on the direction provided in the 2018 Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The need for a long-term vision for the plan was a recommendation in the 2018 Parks and Recreation Master Plan because of interest in expanding the amenities at the site.

    “The site is fairly well established as a recreation hub and this is something that participants have told us they want to see continue,” says Robson. “There is also a desire to enhance the natural features of the park and include things like community gardens and gathering spaces that are more in line with the design guidelines in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. We are looking forward to hearing what the community thinks is the right mix for this special property.”

    Residents can look at the concepts now on shapeyourcitypenticton.ca and attend one of the open houses coming up at the Penticton Seniors’ Drop-in Centre on March 7 from 6 pm to 8 pm and March 9 from 10 am to 12 pm. The City will be collecting feedback on the concepts until March 24.


  • Notes on the Robinson Property

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    The City hosted two workshops in October to support the development of a long-term plan for the Robinson Property. Approximately 30 members of the community and representatives from user groups participated in each of the two sessions. Participants enjoyed a tour of the site and a presentation on the history before diving into discussions about the needs and opportunities for the park. Some of the main topics covered include the property’s amenities, identity, landscape and access. The notes from the workshop are available here. Some of the key themes include:

    • Continue the tradition of the property as a recreation hub. Consider expanding the pickleball courts and the drop-in centre to support growth.
    • Enhance the park setting of the property. Consider adding seating areas, trees and vegetation, and lighting and paths.
    • Strengthen the identity of the park. Consider adding public art, recognize the park’s history and create new signage.
    • Improve access and safety on the site. Consider reconfiguring the driveway, add pedestrian connections and bike racks, explore options for more parking and adjust the transit service.

    The City is now working on options for the park based on the feedback gathered. The options will be reviewed with the new Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee when established in the New Year and then shared with the community for feedback at a future date.


  • Robinson Property workshops update. Wednesday FULL!

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    The Wednesday afternoon workshop (Oct. 24) for the Robinson Property is FULL. There is still room in the Monday workshop on Oct. 29 from 6 pm to 8 pm and an optional tour starting at 5:30 pm. Email getconnected@penticton.ca to register. You can share your ideas for the park online at shapeyourcitypenticton.ca.


  • Ideas for the South Main Drop-in Centre park?

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    The City is kicking off the engagement activities to develop a plan for the South Main Drop-in Centre park, also known as the Robinson Property. Staff have met with each of the user groups on the site including pickleball, bocce, horseshoes as well as the Penticton Seniors Drop-in Centre Society. The next step is to bring representatives of these groups together along with members of the community to discuss the needs and opportunities for the park as a whole. If this is something you would be interested in, please register for one of the workshops. Participation is limited to about 30 people. Email getconnected@penticton.ca or call (250) 490-2586.

    Oct. 24 Workshop #1

    1:30 pm Walking Tour (optional)

    2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Workshop

    Oct. 29 Workshop #2

    5:30 pm Walking Tour (optional)

    6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Workshop

    Please note: This is a workshop and not an open house. You will be asked to hear a brief presentation about the history of the site and then work as a group at your table on possible options for the park. Following the workshops, the City will schedule an open house to share the outcome of the workshops.