2024 Harrison Park Master Plan 

Approved by Council May 27, 2024.

In 2023, the City embarked on a process to update the Harrison Park Master Plan and the updated Plan was approved by Council on May 27, 2024.  

The final Master Plan was developed using public feedback together with parks best management practices, alignment with capital and operating budgets, the cultural heritage assets, and expert advice respecting the waterfowl and avian area.  The Harrison Park Master Plan is 10-year plan that will guide the development, renewal and operational management of the Park’s vast natural resources, recreational amenities, buildings and structures, and other infrastructure.  

Harrison Park was acquired in 1912 by the City of Owen Sound and is a designated cultural heritage landscape.  

The City’s new Master Plan vision is as follows: 
“Inspired by a rich cultural heritage and diverse natural environment, we envision a vibrant space that fosters community connections and environmental stewardship and celebrates and maintains the rich cultural and natural history. Committed to sustainable practices, we strive to cultivate a place of beauty, learning, community, and recreation for all, ensuring a legacy of inspiration, memories, and wonder for generations to come.” 

One of the major themes that emerged from community engagement was that the park is great the way it is. As a result, the Master Plan actions prioritize revitalizing existing features and amenities, as opposed to creating new assets. 

The Master Plan addresses 5 overall considerations relating to the development of the actions, including:  

1. Conflicting and Competing Use/Overuse 
2. Natural amenities and slopes; 
3. Accessibility and Inclusion;  
4. Cultural Heritage Landscape; and 
5. Asset Renewal and rationalization.  

Because of the size and complexity of the Park, the Master Plan divides the 150-acre park into 9 Functional areas with certain global recommendations that apply across the entirety of the Park: 

1. West Park Entry;
2. West Woodland and Escarpment Lands;
3. Island and Pleasure Grounds;
4. Inn, Good Cheer Rink and Bandshell area
5. Community Hall, Tennis/Pickleball Court, Upper Meadow and Pool Area;
6. Campground Area;
7. Bird area and Parks Operations Yard;
8. The Mile Drive; and,
9. Toboggan Hill, Commemorative Forest Grove, Fitness Trail and Northeast Woodland.

For each functional area, there are Operational/Maintenance Recommendations and Capital Recommendations.