1. REDESIGNING THE CITY OF TORONTO’S
RECREATION PORTAL
Liz Murray
December 5, 2012
Sunday, 16 December, 12

2. 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.
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3. Criteria/Constraints
CRITERIA: CONSTRAINTS:
Group Organization: Ability to Access to information: The
mobilize a critical mass and city relies on permit fees as a
communicate the game details source of income. Information
on existing permits is currently
! ogistics: Identify and select the
L unavailable. This data is
best time and location for a game important in assessing diamond
based on improved access to availability but may be a
information challenge to obtain.
! ser Mobility: Be easily accessible
U Nature of the Game: The
from various devices for a mobile inherently decentralized nature
user of pick-up baseball must be kept
in mind.
! ase of Use: Provide a meaningful
E
and simple user experience
! lexibility: Quickly accommodate
F
changes in plans due to unforeseen
issues
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4. Survey of Pick-up Baseball in
Toronto
“One off diamond bookings with “I was invited to a group that was diverse enough
the city. Coin-operated lights!! to accept players at any level, and I really liked
put in quarters to turn on the that ethos.”
diamond lights - per every half “I like the flexibility of not being
hour!” required there every week.”
“Positive, non-bar way to spend an evening.”
“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.”
“My favorite
“First and foremost I look for quality of the diamond more diamonds have so
than size or lights. I prefer if the diamond has a sufficient far been Bickford
gravel or clay infield, and that the outfield isn't overgrown, if and Northern
everything is adequately kept up. For me this ensures the diamond in Trinity
safest conditions for the game, and the best conditions to Bellwoods.”
field in.“
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5. City of Toronto’s PFR Website
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6. City of Toronto’s PFR Website
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7. 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
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8. What are other cities doing?
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9. What are other cities doing?
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10. What are other cities doing?
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11. What are other cities doing?
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12. Redesigning a New Municipal
Recreation Portal
• Mapping?
• Online permits purchases?
• Social Media?
• Data collection?
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13. Redesigning a New Municipal
Recreation Portal
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14. Redesigning a New Municipal
Recreation Portal
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15. Redesigning a New Municipal
Recreation Portal
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16. 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?
Sunday, 16 December, 12