​​​Brampton leads the way with Smart Parks Initiative, setting a new standard for innovation and blazing the trail for municipalities across Ontario

BRAMPTON, ON (August 20, 2026) – The City of Brampton has received the 2026 Peter J. Marshall Municipal Innovation Award from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) for its Smart Parks: Transforming Municipal Services Through Data, Innovation, and Real-Time Access initiative.

​City of Brampton receives the 2026 Peter J. Marshall Municipal Innovation Award for Brampton’s Smart Parks Initiative. Credit: AMO

The award was presented at the 2026 AMO Annual Conference in Ottawa by Robin Jones, President of AMO and The Honourable Rob Flack, Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

The Peter J. Marshall Municipal Innovation Award recognizes municipal governments demonstrating excellence in the use of innovative approaches to improve capital and/or operating efficiency and generate effectiveness through alternative service delivery initiatives and partnerships. This year, AMO received a record-breaking number of submissions, with Brampton’s Smart Parks Initiative standing out among projects by municipalities across Ontario as one of three award recipients. The recognition reinforces Brampton’s position as a municipal leader in leveraging innovative and scalable approaches to improve services for residents, paving the way for municipalities to use practical technology and data to deliver more efficient, responsive and accessible public spaces.

This work builds on Brampton’s commitment to creating access to high-quality parks and recreation amenities for residents. Through strategic investments, the City is revitalizing existing facilities, delivering new recreation amenities and projects and making decisive changes to modernize and improve service delivery. These efforts align with Brampton’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan​, which guides the delivery of parks, open space, recreation and sport facilities to meet the evolving needs of Brampton’s growing community.

About Brampton’s Smart Parks Initiative

Brampton’s Smart Parks initiative uses technology, real-time data, automation and strategic partnerships to modernize park operations, improve efficiency and deliver more transparent, responsive services for residents. The approach brings together projects such as the Grass Maintenance Tracking System, Robotic Lawn Mower Program, Parks and Recreation Construction Map, Equip Sport Locker Program​ and Parks Service Request Dashboard. 

The initiative is already delivering measurable results. The Grass Maintenance Tracking System receives approximately 12,000 online views during peak season. The Parks and Recreation Construction Map has generated approximately 8,000 online interactions and the Equip Sport Locker Program recorded more than 1,300 reservations and 4,000 participations in its first week. 

Together, these initiatives are giving residents easier access to information, faster and more responsive service, well-maintained public spaces and more opportunities to enjoy recreation close to home. By making everyday services simpler and more accessible, Smart Parks is helping Brampton deliver a better parks experience that responds to the needs of its growing community. Learn more about Brampton’s parks, recreation services and ongoing projects at brampton.ca/parks or brampton.ca/recreation.   ​ 

​Quotes

“Receiving the Peter J. Marshall Municipal Innovation Award is a proud moment for Brampton and a recognition of our commitment to delivering modern, efficient and responsive services. Through Smart Parks, we are using technology and innovation to make a meaningful difference in residents’ everyday experiences while making the best use of City resources. I congratulate our dedicated staff and partners whose forward-thinking work continues to position Brampton as a leader in municipal innovation.”​ - Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton

​“Our parks are at the heart of our communities, and Smart Parks is helping us make these spaces more accessible, responsive and welcoming. Residents can more easily see when maintenance is happening, follow improvements underway in their neighbourhoods and access free recreation opportunities close to home. This recognition celebrates the innovative work happening across Brampton to provide residents with high-quality parks and services that support healthy, connected communities.” - Rowena Santos, Regional Councillor, Wards 1 and 5; Chair, Community Services Section, City of Brampton​

“Smart Parks brings together innovative solutions such as our Grass Maintenance Tracking System, robotic lawn mowers, Parks and Recreation Construction Map, Equip Sport Lockers and Parks Service Request Dashboard to transform how we deliver services. Each initiative responds to a different need, but together they are making our operations smarter, information more accessible and recreation easier to enjoy. I’m proud that Brampton is putting innovation into action in ways residents can see and experience, while creating a model that other municipalities can learn from.” - Navjit Kaur Brar, Regional Councillor, Wards 2 and 6; Vice Chair, Community Services Section, City of Brampton

“I am incredibly proud of our Community Services team and the creativity, dedication and collaboration they bring to their work every day. This award is a tremendous achievement and well-deserved recognition of the staff who challenged traditional ways of working and turned innovative ideas into practical solutions for our community. Smart Parks is transforming how we deliver services, creating greater efficiencies while providing residents with more responsive, accessible and high-quality parks and recreation experiences. I congratulate the entire team on this outstanding achievement.” - Bill Boyes, Commissioner, Community Services, City of Brampton​