Project updates
The Parks, Culture & Active Living Master Plan is now in its final phase. Building on the research, technical analysis, and community engagement completed throughout the project, the Draft Master Plan has been developed and is being reviewed with resident focus group participants and community organizations.
The final Master Plan is anticipated to be presented to Council in summer 2026.
About the project
The Parks, Culture & Active Living Master Plan will guide the future development and management of parks, recreation, culture, trails, and active living opportunities in Cochrane over the next 10–15 years.
The Plan has been informed through background research, current state analysis, community engagement, and strategic visioning. Throughout the process, residents, community groups, and partners shared feedback through surveys, workshops, focus groups, and open houses, helping identify community priorities, opportunities, challenges, and future directions.
This input directly informed the draft recommendations and strategic directions included in the Plan. As part of the final phase, the Town is reconnecting with resident focus group participants and community organizations to share the draft recommendations and discuss considerations for implementation and future delivery.
You can review the What We Heard and What We Learned reports (found on the right of this webpage) to learn more about how community input and research informed the development of the Plan.
Why now
Our current Parks, Open Spaces and Recreation Master Plans are more than 10 years old. And our community has changed significantly during this time.
A new masterplan will reflect Cochrane today and help us plan for the next 10-15 years. Building on the feedback received through Envision Cochrane 2050, the Plan will help us prioritize investments in recreation, culture and parks. It will also identify improvements needed to our trail and pathway network, including how it connects to the Bow River.
The goal
To create vibrant, accessible parks and recreational spaces that encourage healthy, active lifestyles while celebrating Cochrane's distinct culture and heritage. By considering how parks, culture and active living all work together, we can create a long-term and strategic plan that reflects our community’s needs.
Survey
CLOSED: This survey has concluded.
Prioritizing parks, recreation, culture and connectivity
About the survey
Last fall you told us your favourite activities, the spaces you enjoy visiting and community values that are most important to your household. We are now looking to gather insight into the priorities of residents and understand how the community envisions the next 10 years of parks, recreation, culture and connectivity in Cochrane.
CLOSED: This survey has concluded.
Your community, your future: Understanding preferences, satisfaction and values
CLOSED: This survey has concluded.
Express your interest - community focus group
To support the development of the Town's new Parks, Culture and Active Living Masterplan and Connectivity Plan, the project consulting team is seeking interested residents who would like to help shape the future for the delivery of these important services.
This is an important opportunity to help inform the direction of the Plan and ensure resident's voices are heard.
CLOSED: This survey has concluded.
Express your interest
Are you a community group looking to have input in our planning process? Express your interest for open opportunities to share your community group's needs in Cochrane.
It’s been ten years since Cochrane updated its master plan for parks, recreation, sport, and connectivity—and we’ve never had a dedicated plan for culture until now! This new plan will guide the next decade of growth in these areas, and we need your input.
As a community group, your insights are vital. We want to understand your needs and understand any challenges you face. In this phase of engagement, we’re asking for your thoughts on the current state of parks, recreation, sports, connectivity, arts, culture and heritage in Cochrane, as well as your vision for the future.
