In Fall 2025, the Town and the Municipality of the County of Antigonish partnered to complete a Recreation Needs Assessment to better understand how residents use local recreation facilities, parks, and programs, and to identify improvements and future recreation opportunities across both municipalities.
Consultants conducted extensive community engagement, including interviews, public open houses, information sessions, and surveys, to better understand how residents use existing recreation facilities and programs, identify service gaps, and determine future recreation needs and priorities.
The final Recreation Needs Assessment is expected to be released in Fall 2026.
How We Engaged the Community
In Spring 2026, consultants hosted eight engagement sessions across the Town and County of Antigonish, along with two pop-up events at the Antigonish Farmers’ Market.
Two surveys were also available to gather input. A public survey asked residents how and where they participate in recreation and what they would like to see in the future. A second survey was directed to community organizations, including non-profits and groups involved in recreation, arts, culture, sports, events, and programming.
What is a Recreation Needs Assessment?
A recreation needs assessment is a process that uses surveys, public input, and population data to learn what parks, facilities, and programs a community currently has, what may be missing, and what should be improved. It helps leaders plan wisely and make informed decisions about future recreation services.
The goal is to make sure recreation opportunities meet the changing and diverse needs of the whole community, including people who need accessible spaces and programs.
The objectives for this project are:
- Identify gaps in parks, facilities, and recreation programs
- Understand how current spaces and programs are being used
- Gather community input through surveys and engagement
- Review population and demographic trends
- Identify ways to improve accessibility and inclusion in recreation services
This will help:
- Provide clear, evidence-based recommendations
- Help guide future planning and spending decisions
- Support long-term recreation development for the community
Recreation is anything you choose to do in your free time that helps you relax, have fun, stay active, or connect with others. It can include sports, fitness, and walking, but it also includes quieter activities like reading, spending time in nature, or doing something creative. Recreation is not just sports - it also includes arts, culture, theatre, music, and other hobbies you enjoy.
Recreation spaces are indoor or outdoor places where people take part in activities. These can be municipal, privately owned, or community-run spaces such as arenas, community halls, gymnasiums, and other gathering places.
Outdoor spaces are outdoor areas used for recreation or enjoying nature. This includes parks, beaches, trails, school grounds, sports fields, mini-pitches, skateparks, active transportation paths, and similar spaces.