SITE DEVELOPMENT

Background

An attractive well-developed school site facilitates and encourages use by students, staff and community; it enhances the appearance of the building; it provides opportunities for learning and play; it is safe.

The District will endeavor to ensure thoughtful and imaginative school site development in accordance with provincial and national standards.  Any site improvements will need to consider any ongoing operating costs.

All parties in the planning process will work collaboratively to develop the best possible plans for site development.

School initiated and funded site improvements require the approval from the Director of Facilities.

Procedures

1. In consideration of site development proposals, the following are considered:
   1. Educational and Cultural Design Considerations
      1. Outdoor Learning Spaces
         The school site shall be a readily accessible learning resource.Soil, water, air, rocks, insect, plant and animal life on the site can be studied, measured, sampled and experimented with.  These features help students to learn about the natural environment and its inter-relationship with human beings.  Wetlands, streams, indigenous vegetation, rocks and other site features which can be utilized by the educational program shall be preserved.
      2. Gathering Places
         Areas in which people--students, staff and community residents--can gather, sit and socialize shall be considered in the site development plan.  These spaces shall be comfortable, attractive and sturdy.
      3. Play Areas for Young Students
         School playgrounds shall allow strenuous physical activity like running, jumping, climbing and swinging.  They shall also provide opportunities for the development of manipulative skills, for game playing, building and imagining.  They shall be safe and attractive.
      4. Play Areas for Older Students
         Larger outdoor play spaces are required on school sites used by older children and adults.  Courts and athletic fields for both informal and organized games shall be provided.  These may include facilities for softball and baseball, tennis, football, volleyball, track, field hockey or any other sport offered by the school's physical education program.
      5. Joint Venturing
         Joint venturing may be developed in cooperation with community groups, recreation commissions, municipalities or other government agencies to encourage and accommodate adult use and participation in lifetime sports.
      6. Community Use
         Community use of the school site shall be included in any planned development.  The educational facilities and sites are community resources and can operate harmoniously with educational programs.  In developing a site, the District shall include the community in the planning process.
   2. Technical and Aesthetic Design Considerations
      1. Orientation of Building
         The location of the facility on the site shall allow desired development of athletic fields and play and learning areas, and shall avoid hazardous entrances on main thoroughfares.  Approaches to schools shall, whenever possible, not require pupils to cross main traffic arteries.  Entrance drives, walkways and bus routes and loading spots shall be designed with consideration for the users' safety and convenience.  Proper orientation is essential for both comfort and energy conservation.
      2. Walks
         Walks shall be designed to handle the volume and type of pedestrian traffic anticipated.Areas bordering walks shall be treated in a manner that will endure wear.  Walkways shall also be placed so that they will provide direct and convenient access to and from the facility.
      3. Parking
         Parking shall be designed for safe entrance and exit of traffic at peak hours.Landscaping and grading shall be provided to enhance visual aesthetics. Circulation patterns shall ensure that arrival and departure of students, staff, visitors and service vehicles are separated from bus arrival and departure areas and pedestrian walkways  .Provisions for safe bicycle access and parking shall be ensured.
      4. Lighting
         Lighting of the school site shall be designed to promote the safety of the users and to enhance the appearance and security of the building.Parking areas, pedestrian walkways, entrances and steps shall be clearly illuminated.
      5. Grading
         Creative, functional grading of the school site will improve the appearance of the building, and can provide screening from noise, wind and other climatic conditions.  Grading of play areas to create earth forms for climbing, sliding, etc., provides good recreational opportunities when surplus material is available.
      6. Vegetation
         Respect for existing vegetation is encouraged; trees growing on the site shall be preserved wherever possible.  Plantings shall consist of varieties which are indigenous to the locality and which will respond well to light and soil conditions on the site and have low maintenance requirements.
   3. Planning Process
      The District is committed to consultation with students, staff, parents and the community in the development of new school sites or the renovation of existing sites.  Ultimate priority will be given to what will best serve the students of each school.
   4. Playground Equipment
      Playground apparatus and equipment shall be carefully selected and placed with consideration given to ease of supervision, accessibility, safety and economical use of the school site.  All new equipment shall meet Can/CSA Standards and Ministry of Education Insurance Underwriters Standards.