The Town of Cobourg is continuing to seek public feedback on a new draft Parks and Recreation Master Plan designed to guide parks, recreation facilities, trails, and community programming through 2036.
The draft plan outlines 167 recommendations intended to help the Town respond to future population growth, changing demographics, and increasing demand on community spaces.
According to the report, Cobourg’s population is projected to grow from just over 20 thousand residents in 2021 to nearly 26 thousand by 2036.
Among the recommendations are additional outdoor basketball courts, replacement of the aging Victoria Park splash pad, upgrades to the Donegan Park skate park, improved waterfront and trail connections, and expanded recreation programming for youth and working adults.
The plan also identifies future recreation facility needs, including continued monitoring of demand for gymnasium space, ice pads, and the potential need for an indoor pool if proposed YMCA expansion plans do not proceed.
Additional recommendations focus on accessibility improvements, more shade structures and water stations in parks, improved public safety measures, expanded winter recreation opportunities, and the creation of a permanent municipal dog park.
The draft plan also touches on the future of the Victoria Park campground, recommending the Town explore long term opportunities tied to tourism and waterfront use, including possible expansion of campground offerings and more flexible accommodation options.
The campground has remained a divisive topic in Cobourg for years, with supporters describing it as an important tourism asset that draws visitors and economic activity to the waterfront, while critics argue the space could be better utilized for broader public parkland or alternative waterfront development.
The report does not recommend eliminating the campground, but instead calls for further study and public consultation as part of broader waterfront planning discussions.
Town officials say the recommendations are intended as flexible long term planning tools and will continue to be refined through public consultation before returning to Council later this year.
The Town continues to seek community input, with the online public engagement survey closing Monday, June 8, 2026.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
