The Town of Bracebridge is set to approve a new RZone Policy to address inappropriate and disrespectful behaviour at recreation facilities, programs, and parks.
At this week’s Planning and Development Committee meeting, councillors voted to adopt the policy, which establishes a framework for Town staff to manage behaviour and ensure consistent enforcement across recreation spaces.
The policy will apply to all Town-operated recreation centres, parks, and sports fields, including in-person, online, and phone interactions with staff. It will also be implemented at the Coulson Family Bracebridge Library, located in the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre (MLCC), pending Library Board approval.
Councillors directed staff to report back to General Committee in 2027 with a review of the policy and consideration for extending it to all municipal facilities.
Mayor Rick Maloney supported the policy, noting that it aligns with recent changes at the MLCC. “I’m pleased to see this coming through,” Maloney said. “Alcohol can be the igniter for challenges. What training do our staff have to handle that?”
Recreation Director Robin Cox said the Town has not experienced major issues to date. “The operator is responsible for Smart Serve certification,” Cox said. “We are paying special attention to larger events, like men’s hockey tournaments.”
Cox said staff have received de-escalation training and will take refresher courses as the policy is implemented. He also said signs will be placed at trailheads and recreation sites to promote awareness, though staff are not available to monitor those areas regularly.
The RZone Policy was first developed by the Town of Oakville. The “R” stands for Respect and Responsibility — respect for yourself, respect for others, and responsibility for your actions. It outlines expectations for behaviour, enforcement steps, and an appeal process.
The policy has been adopted by other Ontario municipalities, including Hamilton, London, West Grey, and Tillsonburg. It is designed to promote cooperation between Town staff, community organizations, and the public in maintaining safe and respectful environments.
The policy includes a defined consequence matrix to guide staff responses to incidents. Having a consistent process, Cox said, helps staff apply rules fairly and reduces the risk of bias.
As part of the 2025 Municipal Budget and Business Plan, the Recreation Department allocated $10,000 for signage and communication related to the RZone Policy under Project RC-01. The project goal is to develop a policy based on respect and responsibility in public recreation spaces.
By adopting the RZone Policy, the Town of Bracebridge aims to provide clear behavioural standards and procedures to support staff and community users in municipal recreation spaces.
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