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Home My WebLink AboutCSD-019-07 Cl~mgron REPORT COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE November 19, 2007 Resolution #:qPA-/j5 tJ -07 Date: Report #: CSD-019-07 File#: By-law #: Subject: SUMMARY REPORT - WORLD RECORD WALK - October 3, 2007 Recommendations: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report CSD-019-07 be received for information. Submitted by: J . aruana ir. ctor of Community Services (J ~-t:sl.... Reviewed by: Franklin Wu Chief Administrative Officer JPC/SM/EM/j CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOW MANVILLE, ONTARIO L 1C 3A6 T (905)623-3379 F (905)623-5506 REPORT NO.: CSD-019-07 PAGE 2 1.0 BACKGROUND 1.1 The World Record Walk (WRW) www.worldrecordwalk.ca took place on October 3, 2007 at over 2,000 venues across Canada. The Municipality of Clarington hosted an event at the Municipal Administrative Centre which took walkers on a 1.3 km route around downtown Bowmanville. The event in Clarington was, by all accounts, a success with 319 walkers taking part. 1.2 As of November 5,2007, reported numbers across Canada in the World Record Walk event was 197,284. This number exceeds the current Guinness record held by Western Australia of 100,915 in 2006. Confirmation of Guinness World Record contention will be confirmed late in 2007. 1.3 Promotion was extensive for the event in Clarington. A variety of methods were used including: . In house signage . Canadian Statesman - Corporate Ads . Orono Times - article . Road signs in 3 locations (donated by Forsey Signs & Designs) . Fall Community Guide . Mail outs to community groups, schools, churches . Municipality of Clarington website . Booth in lobby and presentation at fitness classes at Clarington Older Adults Association . Presentation at the September Management Meeting . Posting on Employee Intranet 1.4 This event relied heavily on support from local sponsors. Local businesses and community partners rose to the occasion providing goods and funding for prizes and refreshments. 1.5 The event was part of an attempt to break a Guinness World Record so guidelines laid out by Guinness Rules were followed. These included having two official witnesses of the event. The witnesses in Clarington were Deputy Mayor Charlie Trim and Sharon Meredith, Recreation Services Manager. 1.6 As part of their responsibility, the officials measured the route to ensure it was a minimum of 1 kilometre, witnessed the walkers complete the route, and followed up by submitting a witness letter. 1.7 A package including the witness letters, newspaper clippings, photos and an official count form were submitted to Green Communities Canada for consideration in the inclusion of the attempted Guinness Record. REPORT NO.: CSD-019-07 PAGE 3 1.8 The Municipality of Clarington was recently notified that eight of the pictures taken by our Communications & Tourism Department are to be included in Green Communities Canada's upcoming newsletter and their report to the Ministry of Health Promotion, as well as possibly the next Walk21 conference in Barcelona. 2.0 EVENT DETAILS 2.1 Registration began at the cenotaph at the Municipal Administrative Centre at 11 :30 a.m. Each walker signed in on a waiver form, completed a Par Q health questionnaire and received a bracelet to redeem for a giveaway prize, as well as, a door prize ticket for draws after the walk. 2.2 There was a welcome and introductions by Kevin Shea, Total Hockey Curator and Deputy Mayor Charlie Trim. A warm up was led by three fitness instructors from the Courtice Fitness Training Facility. The walkers were organized on the sidewalk and the walk began precisely at 12:30 p.m. 2.3 Community Services Staff assisted walkers in crossing intersections while a police escort was present for additional security. St. John's Ambulance was also on site to provide first aid treatment if necessary. 2.4 In an attempt to recruit larger numbers of participants, encouraging organized groups to participate was the focus. There were several organized teams of walkers including those from: . Municipality of Clarington and Clarington Public Library . Four Winds Montessori School . John M James Public School . Remax Spirit . Team O'Toole 2.5 The walk wrapped up with refreshments and door prizes back at the Cenotaph. 3.0 CONCLUSION 3.1 The World Record Walk was an exciting event that generated enthusiasm in the community. It helped raise awareness about the benefits of walking and promoted Clarington as a healthy and active community. 3.2 Once the record attempt is reviewed and tabulated by Guinness a follow up memo will be sent out advising of the status of the World Record.