City of Surrey's 2025 Annual Financial Report

CITY OF SURREY OVERVIEWS PARKS, RECREATION & CULTURE DEPARTMENT

The programs, facilities and services of the Parks, Recreation & Culture (“PRC”) Department are key components to providing access to safe and engaging recreation and cultural opportunities, protecting the natural environment and enhancing the quality of life for all.

PARKS The Parks division plans, develops, and maintains the City’s extensive park system (over 2,898 hectares), a civic marina, three cemeteries and all public property trees and forests. Playing a key role in the stewardship of the natural environment, the division engages residents through the delivery of a variety of outdoor programs, services, and events including: nature-based education and stewardship programs; community gardens; volunteer opportunities; active recreation, outdoor sport and play amenities; and citywide community engagement, civic beautification, and enhancement initiatives. Additionally, the division is engaged in truth and reconciliation with First Nations through various aspects of our operations such as park planning, design, and development. RECREATION SERVICES The Recreation Services division plays a critical role in maintaining and enhancing the community’s physical and mental well-being. They operate 22 diverse, state-of-the-art recreation facilities across Surrey, including five indoor pools, six skating arenas, 18 preschool locations, and five full-day childcare centres operated through their non-profit partners. Additionally, included in this division is the Business Operations section that oversees the operations and continual improvement of the Parks, Recreation & Culture Management Registration System at all Parks, Recreation & Culture facilities, including online transactions, user training, end-user support, vendor management and upgrades.

CULTURE Committed to inclusion and community engagement, the division is passionate about serving diverse communities and respectfully engaging and planning programming with Indigenous communities. Providing citywide arts, heritage, and cultural services, including cultural grants, the division also supports the development of community arts and heritage organizations. The Culture division manages the Public Art Program, Visual and Community Arts, Performing Arts, Special Events & Filming and Heritage Services portfolios. HEALTHY COMMUNITIES The Healthy Communities section provides centralized support and coordination of key service areas within the Parks, Recreation & Culture Department. This section is responsible for ongoing administrative support to the department including direct support for the General Manager and Division Managers. This section oversees the administration of the Emergency Support Services program, Leisure Access Program, Youth Engagement & Intervention, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, and Accessibility. In addition, they provide interdepartmental leadership through their work overseeing Volunteer Resources, Age Friendly Strategy for Seniors, and City Hall Tours. Healthy Communities has a strong focus on health and wellness through their work overseeing Sport Tourism, Health Promotion, and Employee Wellness.

2025 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Recreation attendance and programming breadth sustained across 22 facilities; 57,600+ programs offered • Supported 43 sport tourism events with $274,000 in grants (highest demand to date) • Awarded cultural grants to 80+ organizations supporting citywide cultural production • Installed 10 new picnic shelters at various parks

• Acquired 7.4 acres of new parkland and completed major playground and park upgrades, including improvements at Guildford Heights, Robertson Drive, William Beagle, and McIntyre parks • Completed the Bear Creek Stadium, including a covered grandstand and lifecycle replacement of the running track to enhance community sport amenities at this destination park • Priority resident registration improvements continued to stabilize online traffic and access

• The Focus Newton Action Plan advanced significantly, with expanded programs, enhanced events, and improvements to public spaces • Surrey Mobilization & Resiliency Table ("SMART") supported 95 new adult cases, with 71% demonstrating reduced risk, while Children & Youth At-Risk Table ("CHART") served 20 new youth cases, achieving an 82% risk-reduction rate

15