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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. The department has the responsibility for the following divisions/sections:
PARKS
The Parks Division is responsible for the planning, development,
operation and maintenance of approximately 2,700 hectares of parkland,
a civic marina and three cemeteries. It also oversees the stewardship
of the natural environment, street trees, nature programs, and the use
of outdoor athletic facilities and community gardens. The division hosts
major events, provides guidance to community event organizers and
manages filming within the City. Civic Beautification works to make
public spaces beautiful and inviting.
ARTS
Arts Services plans and oversees a wide range of facilities and
programs within the City to build awareness and appreciation
for the benefits of the arts, provides arts education to students
and develops new audiences through the presentation of exhibits,
public programs and theatre events.
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
The Marketing and Communications Section supports the Department
and Corporation by providing expertise, strategic guidance and services
related to marketing and communications.
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 & NEW MEDIA
Web and New Media supports the Department and Corporation
by providing expertise, guidance and services related to enhancing
the web presence and ensuring customers receive timely
information from the Website and Social Media.
COMMUNITY & RECREATION
Community & Recreation Services is responsible for the operation of
community pools, arenas, recreation and community centres, while
building healthy communities for all people to be active and engaged
for life. This division 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.
2 0 1 6 A C C O M P L I S H M E N T S
• As part of the City’s ‘Age-friendly
Strategy for Seniors’, over 1,100 seniors
participated in City forums and community
outreach sessions focused on health,
safety, connectedness and transportation.
• Opened Grandview Heights Aquatic
Centre, a 94,180 square foot facility
featuring a 10 lane 50-metre Olympic-
size main pool, leisure and lifestyle
pool, as well as the capacity to host
competitive swimming events. The Centre
received five awards for its design and
construction.
• Council adopted the Shade Tree
Management Plan. New park openings
included Hazelgrove Park in June, and
Surrey Bend Regional Park opened in April
in partnership with Metro Vancouver.
• The 2016 Women’s World Softball
Championship successfully hosted 30
nations in July 2016 with an estimated
attendance of 120,000 over 10 days.
• Planning is underway to deliver on the
adopted 2017-2021 Capital Plan for Parks
& Recreation Capital Projects which
includes the North Surrey Triple Ice
Surface Replacement, Cloverdale Twin
Ice Surface, Clayton Recreation & Culture
Facilities, two Artificial Turf Fields, Surrey
Museum Phase 2, Newton Athletic Park
Master Plan and 10660 City Parkway
Creative Cluster Arts Hub.
• The Public Art Program celebrated
the unveiling of several new artworks
including: Four Season Drums by Brandon
Gabriel at the Chuck Bailey Recreation
Centre; a pair of iconic sculptures titled
Circulation by Cooke Sasseville at the
Grandview Aquatic Centre; and Water
Guardians, by Salish artist, Susan Point at
the Hazelgrove Park.
• Guildford Aquatic Centre received
the Lieutenant Governor’s Award in
Architecture Medal; and a Fraser Valley
Commercial Building Award of Excellence
in the Community Recreational Category.
• The Surrey Filming Office continues
to welcome large productions to our
community, issuing over 178 film permits
accounting for more than 264 days of
filming this year, including titles such as
Prison Break, Why We’re Killing Gunther,
Supergirl, The Flash, and The 100.
• Surrey hosted the 2016 edition of the
prestigious Creative City Summit. The
sold out conference (216 delegates) for
municipal cultural workers, planners and
educators from across Canada featured
keynote speakers, panels, peer-to-peer
sessions and local study tours showcasing
Surrey’s arts and heritage facilities, public
art and special events.
• The Kids Gallery at the Surrey Museum
produced two exhibitions in 2016: Water &
Food. These new interactive displays help
kids learn about sustainability and caring
for the future in fun and active ways. The
Surrey Museum offered free admission
through a sponsorship from the Friends of
the Surrey Museum and Archives Society.
CITY OF SURREY
OVERVIEWS
PARKS, RECREATION & CULTURE DEPARTMENT
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