The City of Prince Rupert has wrapped up community feedback for a new long-term strategy aimed at updating how the city manages its parks, trails, and outdoor spaces. The plan, known as Rupert Plays, is the first comprehensive review of local recreation since 1985 and will provide a roadmap for improvements over the next five to ten years.
Consultants at Urban Systems Ltd. are currently reviewing input from more than 568 residents and stakeholders collected during two phases of public engagement. The final version of this plan is expected to be presented to City Council in the fall of 2026.
The update arrives as the city prepares for a significant increase in its population, which is projected to double by 2030. Currently, the city maintains 28 parks and roughly 50 kilometres of trails across Kaien Island. Without acquiring more land, the city warns that the amount of park space available for each resident will fall below the recommended national standards as the population grows.
Throughout the public input process, residents identified increased access to the waterfront as the highest priority for the new plan. The strategy also highlights the Butze Rapids Trail, a popular 5.4 kilometre loop, as a key destination. The current draft suggests the area could serve as a potential site for a new whitewater park, a feature that could attract both local enthusiasts and visitors.
