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Parks, Recreation & Culture Department
City of surrey Overviews
The programs, facilities and services of the Parks, Recreation & Culture Department reflect people working
together to improve recreation opportunities and enhance the quality of life for residents of Surrey. Its
divisions and sections include:
PARKS SERVICES
The Parks Services Division is responsible for the planning,
development, operation and maintenance of over 3,000 hectares of
parkland, a civic marina and three cemeteries. It also oversees the
stewardship of the natural environment, street trees, and nature-based
programs, and the use of outdoor athletic facilities and community
gardens. The Special Events and Filming Section hosts major events,
provides guidance to community event organizers and is a one-stop
agency for filming within the City. Civic Beautification offers initiatives
and resources aimed at making public spaces beautiful and inviting.
COMMUNITY & RECREATION
Community & Recreation Services is responsible for the efficient
and effective operation of community pools, arenas, recreation
and community centres throughout the City, while building healthy
communities for all people to be active and engaged for life. This
division facilitates and delivers programs and services that are
accessible for seniors, youth, children and families. It also engages
participation through volunteerism and inclusivity of Surrey’s diverse
community, including people with disabilities, in all service areas.
MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONs
The Marketing and Communications Section is a corporate service
that supports the department and corporation by providing expertise,
guidance and services related to marketing and communications.
ARTS
The Arts Services Division plans and oversees arts services within the
City. This includes the Surrey Arts Centre which encompasses a main
theatre, studio theatre, contemporary Art Gallery and Tech Lab, as well
the Centre Stage Performance venue at City Hall and the Arts Centre at
South Surrey Recreation Centre. It administers the Public Art Program
and the Surrey Children’s Festival, and oversees the City’s contemporary
and public art collections. Staff provides arts education and develops
new audiences through the presentation of exhibits, public programs
and theatre events.
HERITAGE
Heritage Services plans, oversees and operates the Surrey Museum,
City Archives, and the Historic Stewart Farm. It supports the City‑wide
stewardship of documentary and material cultural heritage collections
and the presentation of community history. It works to build
appreciation for Surrey’s history and heritage through the presentation
and circulation of exhibits, tours, public programs, curriculum-based
school programs and special events.
WEB AND NEW MEDIA
Web and New Media is a corporate service that supports the
department and corporation by providing expertise, guidance and
services related to enhancing web presence and leading social media.
2 0 1 4 A c c o m p l i s h m e n t s
• The City worked with the estate of Francisca
Darts to facilitate a substantial gift to the Darts
Hill Garden Endowment Fund managed by
Surrey Cares; income from the Fund, which
currently sits at $3.9 million, will be used to
maintain this important Garden at a standard
equal to other botanical gardens in the Pacific
Northwest.
• The Special Events section generated over
$1.1 million in cash sponsorships plus over
$700,000 of in-kind value for its numerous
quality, free community events. The Film Office
issued 82 film permits, resulting in over $1.5
million of economic activity in the City.
• The City’s artificial turf field inventory is now at
14, which is the largest of any city in western
Canada. This inventory provides over 35,000
hours of annual access for practices, games,
tournaments and special events.
• The fitness and arts space addition to the
South Surrey Recreation and Arts Centre was
completed featuring an 8,000 sq ft fitness
centre, fitness studio, and a 5,800 sq ft
specialized arts space including an exhibition
space, visual arts and pottery studio.
• The Surrey Museum continued to offer “free”
admission through a sponsorship from the
Friends of the Surrey Museum and Archives
Society.
• The Cultural Grants Program received 52
funding requests and awarded $99,700 to
35 groups. The total value of all activities
supported by the program was over $1 million.
• With the mission of developing new active
parks as well as protecting natural spaces,
the Parks Division acquired 16.2 hectares (40
acres) of new parkland in 2014. 17,800 annual
flowers were planted and 16,600 spring bulbs.
• The
Cultural Marketing Plan for Arts and
Heritage
was completed. The
Say AH
campaign was launched to market and
promote arts and heritage services and
facilities.
• Council approved the Hazelgrove Park
Concept Plan and construction has begun with
completion slated for 2015. The Plan includes
new initiatives for storm water management
and protects one of the few remaining stands
of mature forest in East Clayton.
• Through the Green City Program, more than
4,700 shade trees were planted, boosting
Surrey’s inventory of shade trees to over
75,000 street trees and 21,000 park trees.
103,000 square metres of invasive plants were
removed from park natural areas to restore
habitat and protect sensitive ecosystems.
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