Brampton’s parks and open spaces provide opportunities and facilities for residents to participate in physical and social activities, while enjoying nature. Shade structures are one of the amenities often added to a park to contribute to overall enjoyment of park patrons. Shade structures provide a number of benefits:
- Opportunities for users to rest in a sheltered environment
- Relief from the heat and glare of the summer sun
- “Open” design allows for air ventilation
- A convenient seating option for residents and parents to watch over their children when located near a playground
Shade structures are not designed, nor intended, to protect park users from weather element/conditions.
Locational Criteria
In recent years, the demand for shade structures has increased. As a result, the City of Brampton has adopted locational criteria to assist in assessing requests, managing demand and ensuring structures are located properly.
- Park Size
- Parks must be over 0.61 ha (1.5 ac.) and with 0.5 ha (1.2 ac.) of active tableland
- Setbacks
- New installations should not encroach on natural areas, play areas, roadways, residential or commercial properties
- Existing Shade Structures
- The addition of a 2nd shade structure in a park will only be considered in parks over 2 ha (5.0 ac.) in size
- Adjacent Amenities
- Consideration shall be given to existing shade elements (e.g. mature trees), other public gathering areas, and park activities and facilities
- Compatibility
- New installations cannot conflict with existing park uses
- Applicability
- This criteria applies to new installations (new developer-installed structures and additional structures in existing parks)
- Excluded Open Space
- Shade structures will not be considered in valleys, vista blocks, stormwater management areas and/or naturalized areas.
- Structure Type
- If approved by the public, Neighbourhood Parks of 1.5 – 5 acres can have a Small structure, Neighborhood or Community Parks of 5 - 25 acres can have a Medium Structure, and Community Parks or City Parks of 25 + acres can have one or more Large Structures.
New Requests
Requests for new shade structures in existing parks can be directed to Park Planning & Development Section by filling out the Contact Us form.
Implementation
If a location is deemed suitable under the approved Locational Criteria, staff will use approved
Implementation Protocols to incorporate the shade structure into the park. The protocols require that the City:
- Conduct a survey of the surrounding neighbourhood to gauge public support
- Review results with area Councillors
- If 'yes', then seek funding through Capital Budget process and proceed to implement, after funding approval
- If 'no', advise requestor(s) of decision