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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-007-07 Cl~pn REPORT COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT Date: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE May 22,2007 Resolution #f3.PA-3'l'l-ol Meeting: Report #: CSD-007 -07 File #: By-law #: Subject: JUNE IS RECREATION AND PARKS MONTH Recommendations: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report CSD-007-07 be received; and 2. THAT the month of June 2007 be proclaimed Recreation and Parks Month. se h P. Caruana irector of Community Services Reviewed bYO~ Franklin Wu Chief Administrative Officer JPC/SM/jm CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 3A6 T (905)623-3379 F (905)623-5506 REPORT NO.: CSD-007-07 PAGE 2 1.0 BACKGROUND 1.1 Across Ontario, many municipalities with the support of national and provincial recreation and park associations are promoting June as Recreation & Parks Month. The designation is being made to profile many of the important and valued services, events and facilities offered across the Province, and to celebrate the return of summer programming. 1.2 There are many benefits to participating in physical activity and recreational pursuits. Recreation provides personal, social, economic and ecological benefits to our residents, our communities and our Province. These benefits are significant and critical to the vitality of the Municipality of Clarington. 2.0 THE BENEFITS OF PARKS AND RECREATION 2.1 Personal Health: Recreation and Active Living are essential to personal health - a key determinant of health status. i) Recreation and active living significantly reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke, the leading cause of death in Canada. They help combat osteoporosis, reduce diabetes and prevent site-specific cancers. ii) Recreation promotes the optimal performance of all major systems of the human body. iii) Recreation can also contribute to improving mental health by reducing stress and depression and enhancing emotional and psychological well- being. iv) Participation in meaningful recreation aids in the prevention of disease and improves mental health. 2.2 Recreation is the key to balanced human development - helping Canadians reach for their full potential. i) Participation in recreation promotes the acquisition of motor skills, social skills, creativity and the development of cognitive function, which are important to successful integration into society. ii) Physical activity is essential for preventing children from becoming obese. Physical Activity regulates obesity by increasing energy expenditure, suppressing appetite, increasing metabolic rate and increasing lean body mass. 2.3 Recreation and parks are essential to quality of life. i) Recreation contributes to improving the conditions that support mental well-being by improving self-esteem and self-image, life satisfaction levels, and enhancing perceived quality of life - for individuals, families and communities. REPORT NO.: CSD-007-07 PAGE 3 ii) Rest, relaxation, and revitalization through recreation opportunities are essential for stress management. iii) Participation in recreational activities can be linked to lower levels of television watching, more positive relationships with peers and friends, a greater likelihood of performing better in school, increased future educational expectations, better health and decreased participation in negative behaviours such as smoking and drinking. 2.4 Recreation reduces self-destructive and anti-social behaviour - an antidote for smoking, substance abuse, suicide and depression. i) Recreation can counteract substance abuse by contributing to psychological health by building self-esteem, and fostering self-discipline. Recreation also provides accessible role models and leads to the adoption of positive life choices. 2.5 Recreation and Parks build strong families and healthy communities. i) Recreation contributes to the development of future capacity. Childhood recreation activity is associated with adult volunteering and community work. ii) Recreation programs promote leadership, character, health, and career development of youth while emphasizing social, cultural, and educational growth. iii) Opportunities for children to participate in recreation help ease the pressure on families and contribute to healthy relationships. 2.6 Pay Now or Pay More Laterl Recreation reduces health care, social service, and police and justice costs. i) Fitness and well-being reduces both the incidences and severity of illness and disability lowering health care costs. ii) In Ontario, obesity costs approximately $1.6 billion annually. iii) Recreation promotes self esteem, listening, stress release and reinforces positive values. iv) It is more cost effective to provide proactive programs for troubled youth than incarcerate them. REPORT NO.: CSD-007-07 PAGE 4 2.7 Recreation and Parks are significant economic generators in your community! i) Recreation, sports and fitness improve work performance through increased productivity, decreased absenteeism, decreased staff turnover and reduced 'on the job' accidents. ii) Recreation, parks, arts/culture are great attractions to draw tourists while creating employment opportunities for local residents. 2.8 Parks, open spaces and natural areas are essential to ecological survival. i) Green spaces protect habitat, bio-diversity and ecological balance. Together, these improve air quality by reducing carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide and other air pollutants. ii) Fresh air recreation offers an excellent approach to environmental education. iii) The protection of open spaces reduces the risk of erosion and flooding (environmental disasters). 3.0 COMMENTS 3.1 During the month of June, the Community Services Department will be celebrating Recreation and Parks Month, and promoting the theme of "Live it everyday!" Regardless of how you define "recreation", it is important to recognize the benefits recreation provides. 3.2 To encourage community participation, a variety of community events and special promotions will be offered throughout the municipality during the month of June. A full event listing will be available at all community centres as well as www.c1arinqton.net .