Redesigning The City of Toronto's Recreation Portal

REDESIGNING THE CITY OF TORONTO’S RECREATION PORTAL

Liz MurrayDecember 5, 2012

Sunday, 16 December, 12

The Issue:

Design Goal: Building upon existing models, redesign a recreation portal that better addresses group organization in pick-up baseball for the City of Toronto, with a focus on improved access to pertinent information like diamond availability and classifications.


Criteria/Constraints

CRITERIA:Group Organization: Ability to

mobilize a critical mass and communicate the game details

!Logistics: Identify and select the best time and location for a game based on improved access to information

!User Mobility: Be easily accessible from various devices for a mobile user

!Ease of Use: Provide a meaningful and simple user experience

!Flexibility: Quickly accommodate changes in plans due to unforeseen issues

CONSTRAINTS:Access to information: The city relies on permit fees as a source of income. Information on existing permits is currently unavailable. This data is important in assessing diamond availability but may be a challenge to obtain.

Nature of the Game: The inherently decentralized nature of pick-up baseball must be kept in mind.


Survey of Pick-up Baseball in Toronto

“I love pretty much all forms of the game. I especially like pickup because its casual, social, and mostly all about fun. Everyone always has a good time no matter how they play and it brings out the best in peoples attitudes, and I would argue, performances in many cases.”

“First and foremost I look for quality of the diamond more than size or lights. I prefer if the diamond has a sufficient gravel or clay infield, and that the outfield isn't overgrown, if everything is adequately kept up. For me this ensures the safest conditions for the game, and the best conditions to field in.“

“My favorite diamonds have so far been Bickford and Northern diamond in Trinity Bellwoods.”

“One off diamond bookings with the city. Coin-operated lights!! put in quarters to turn on the diamond lights - per every half hour!”

“Positive, non-bar way to spend an evening.”

“I like the flexibility of not being required there every week.”

“I was invited to a group that was diverse enough to accept players at any level, and I really liked that ethos.”


City of Toronto’s PFR Website


City of Toronto’s PFR Website


How could an online recreation portal help the City of Toronto?

• Improve data collection

• Enhance community engagement

• Maximize facility usage

• Provide more equitable access

• Increase overall participation

• Provide easier access to permits

• Provide greater visibility in permit cost structure

• Unify PFR Division branding

• Improved facility maintenance through better reporting systems

• Promote health and fitness

• Position parks as an essential part of place making

• Help to better recognize and manage volunteers

• Improve access to casual user data

• Decrease financial barriers to recreation


What are other cities doing?








Redesigning a New Municipal Recreation Portal

• Mapping?

• Online permits purchases?

• Social Media?

• Data collection?








Discussion• How can casual user data be captured

using KMD?

• How can technology improve the overall use of facilities, given the outlined needs of the users and the City?

• How can technology be used to improve communication between the City and its residents?

• How can a recreation portal be designed to target high priority demographics such as low income or underserved communities?


Documents

Redesigning The City of Toronto's Recreation Portal