In 2009, City Council approved the development of a city-wide, multi-year Recreation Service Plan based on four guiding principles - equitable access, quality, inclusion and capacity building. The Recreation Service Plan will guide Parks, Forestry and Recreation's delivery of recreation programs and services over the next five years.

The 2013 - 2017 Recreation Service Plan is the first service plan for recreation in the City of Toronto. The plan aims to increase overall participation in recreation, decrease financial barriers to recreation and improve local geographic access. It outlines the role that the City plays in meeting the recreation needs of Torontonians, within the context of the larger recreation service sector that has many diverse providers.