Community Services
The Community Services Division is responsible for the following City functions:
Parks
Parks is staffed by park planners, park foremen, technologists, sports/special event coordinators and research staff who work in consultation with the community to provide a variety of parks-related services and opportunities.
The Parks section manages over 1,500 acres of open space including six Community Parks, 68 Neighbourhood Parks, eight City-wide Parks, seven Special Purpose Parks, 50 km of trails and several Natural Areas. As well, parks staff make recommendations for land acquisition for park, trail and beautification purposes.
Beyond park and trail design, construction and maintenance projects, other initiatives and special projects coordinated by this section include: the Street Banner Program, the Tree Planting Program, a variety of sports tournaments and City-wide special events.
The Parks Department is broken into the following sections:
Contacts:
Related Topics:
Recreation
The Department is divided into the following sections:
The City provides the buildings, maintenance and core staffing. The facilities are operated by the volunteers on Boards of Directors for the Community Associations. Responsibilities are defined in partnership agreements established between the City and the Associations. The Community Associations work with individuals, groups and staff to determine and meet the recreation requirements of the general public and their various user groups.
City staff act as liaison between the Associations, community groups and the City and provides support to groups to help them achieve their mandate.
Contact Us:
Related Topics:
Community Partners:
Arts, Culture and Heritage Services
The focus is placed on activities that fast track the growth and development of the city’s arts and cultural community, foster a thriving and vibrant arts scene, activate city streets, preserve and promote our heritage, and enhance the overall experience for residents and visitors.
The Arts, Culture and Heritage Department also provides a readily accessible and direct operational resource with which external arts and cultural community stakeholders can consult and partner.
The department is divided into the following sections:
- Arts Services
- Community Cultural Development
- Museum & Heritage Services
- Major Events & Film
Contacts:
Arts, Culture & HeritageRelated Topics:
Planning, Programs and Projects
This section offers specialized services on a division-wide basis, with a focus on:
- Strategic Planning
- Policy Development
- Parks, Recreation and Culture-related research
- Marketing and Communications
- Volunteer Development
Contacts: Programs & Projects
School Board Liaison
Related Topics:
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Public Library Liaison
The Community Services Division acts as the City's liaison with the Board and management of the Richmond Public Library. The Richmond Public Library is an independent body governed by the Richmond Library Board and under the authority of the British Columbia Library Act.
Funding for the Library comes primarily from the City with special and supplemental funding coming from the provincial government.
The Library liaisons with various City of Richmond Divisions and many community groups through cooperative programs and other initiatives, thereby building its role as a strong community-oriented information resource.
Contacts:
Related Links:
Gateway Theatre Liaison
The Cultural Services Department acts as the City's liaison with the Board and management of the Gateway Theatre. The Gateway Theatre is a civic theatre constructed by the City in 1984 to provide a venue for the performing arts in Richmond. The theatre is operated by an independent non-profit Society. The Richmond Gateway Theatre Society is dedicated to providing the community with opportunities to participate in the performing arts. The Society sponsors several major theatre productions each year. When the facility is not in use by the Society it is made available for rental to other performing arts groups as well as groups requiring meeting space.