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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-006-13 Clafiwgton REPORT COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION Date: May 27, 2013 Resolution#: - -1 -5 By-law#: N/A Report#: CSD-006-13 File#: 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-006-13 be received; and 2. THAT the month of June be proclaimed Recreation and Parks Month in the Municipality of Clarington. r z Submitted by: Reviewed by: to eph P. Caruana Franklin Wu, irector, Community Chief Administrative Officer Services JPC/SM CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 3A6 T (905)623-3379 F (905)623-0830 REPORT NO.: CSD-006-13 PAGE 2 1.0 BACKGROUND 1.1 Each June, hundreds of communities across Ontario celebrate Recreation and Parks Month. June is Recreation and Parks Month was launched in 2005 as an initiative of Parks and Recreation Ontario (PRO), Ontario Recreation Facilities Association (ORFA) and Ontario Parks Association (OPA). Since that time the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Ontario Public Health Association, Ontario Society of Physical Activity Promoters in Public Health, Ontario Trails Council and the Sport Alliance have also united their efforts to improve the quality of life by promoting the benefits that recreation and parks provide to communities and to Ontario's citizens. 1.2 The goal of Recreation and Parks Month is to increase public awareness of the value and benefits of recreation for individuals, families, neighbourhoods and communities. It is an opportunity to celebrate the success of recreation and parks in contributing to the quality of life in our communities across Ontario. 2.0 RECREATION AND PARKS MONTH IN CLARINGTON 2.1 During the month of June, the Community Services Department will be celebrating Recreation and Parks Month, encouraging families to get active together. Regardless of how you define "recreation", it is important to recognize the benefits recreation provides. 2.2 To encourage greater community participation in local programs and events, the Community Services Department is offering a variety of free or low-cost_activities in June to celebrate Recreation and Parks Month. Throughout the month of June staff will be visiting local parks on a Neighbourhood Family Fitness Tour (Attachment 1). The tour will reach out to residents in their neighbourhoods providing fun, interactive activities that are low or no cost and require little or no equipment. 2.3 The Neighbourhood Family Fitness Tour was first offered in Clarington during June is Recreation and Parks Month in 2012. Community Services Department Staff visited eight parks and offered free activities for 190 children and adults. Parents and children participated in activities that encouraged families to get active together. By encouraging activities such as running, jumping and throwing, children have an opportunity to develop fundamental movement skills, a term known as "physical literacy". 3.0 PHYSICAL LITERACY AND HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT 3.1 Physical literacy is just as important as the ability to read and write. The most important step toward developing physical literacy is mastering fundamental movement skills. Physical literacy is the concept that children must learn how to move properly when they are in preschool and elementary school. The idea behind physical literacy is this: if we give children the opportunity to do the right REPORT NO.: CS®®006®13 PAGE 3 physical activities at the right time in their development, more of them will enjoy getting active and stay active. 3.2 Individuals who are physically literate move with competence and confidence in a wide variety of physical activities in multiple environments that benefit the healthy development of the whole person. These skills enable individuals to make healthy, active choices that are both beneficial to and respectful of their whole self, others and their environment. 3.3 Research has shown that being physically active later in life depends on an individual's ability to feel confident in an activity setting. That confidence most often comes from having learned fundamental movement and sport skills, or physical literacy, as a child. Research has also shown that without the development of physical literacy, many children and youth withdraw from physical activity and sport and turn to more inactive and / or unhealthy choices during their leisure time. 3.4 For many valuable reasons such as a healthy person, a healthy family and a healthy community, the promotion of being active in our parks, open spaces and recreation facilities is an integral part in our support of Recreation and Parks Month. 4.0 COMMENTS 4.1 The Proclamation (Attachment 2) has been developed by Parks and Recreation Ontario (PRO). PRO is requesting municipal Councils show their support for Recreation and Parks by proclaiming June as Recreation and Parks Month. 4.2 Recreation, through physical, social and artistic expression, provides opportunities for individuals to improve their health and wellness, socialize and interact with others, learn new skills, have fun and find balance in their lives. In particular, physical activity and stress reduction are two health issues that researchers identify as benefits of local parks and recreation to public health. Attachment 1 — Neighbourhood Family Fitness Tour Postcard Attachment 2 — June is Recreation and Parks Month Proclamation MARNMAY Claringt0ft NEIGHIjOURHOOD PARK$ wA11 V FITNESS 'TOUR The Municipality of Clarington Community Services Department Staif vrtll tour various Clarington Parka throughout the month of June to provide tun Ways to play and be active as a family in celebration of June is Recreation&Parks Month' I 7-8:OODm Wallbridge Park Glass St.S.(Newcastle Public School) Mon.June 3 Guildwood Park 180 Guildwood Dr.,Bowmanville Thurs.June 6 ROSSWelf Park 132 Rosswell Dc,Courtice Mon.June 10 � Pearce Farm Park 260 Shipway Ave.(Pont of Newcastle) Thurs.June 13 Highland Park 41 George Reynolds Dr,Courtice Mon.June 17 BOwmanville Memorial Park 120 Liberty St.S.,Bowmanville Thurs.June 20 . Orono Park 61 Princess St.,Orono Mon.June 24 Attachment 1 to CSD-006-13 JUNEIS cla&OW RECREATION & PARKS MONTH AT CLARING70N RECREATION FACILITIF` drop•in tot FREE fitness a t000! FRIDAYS EVERY TVES�A at the Courtice F' +tness Training Facility EVERY ERfDAY juttet ` in June, 15. IV , •Fitness at the Courtice Fitness Training Facility •Squash at the Clarington Fitness Centre-Bowmanville (squash courts must be pre-booked) Group Fitness Classes at the Courtice Community Complex, Newcastle&District Recreation Complex and the South Courtice Arena (cat)for class schedule) t,J Attachment 2 to Report CSD-006-13 MUNICIPAL PROCLAMATION June is Recreation and Parks Month WHEREAS, in the Municipality of Clarington, we are fortunate to have a variety of recreation and parks systems providing countless recreational opportunities for residents and visitors from around the world; and WHEREAS, recreation enhances quality of life, balanced living and lifelong learning; helps people live happier and longer; develops skills and positive self image in children and youth; develops creativity; and builds healthy bodies and positive lifestyles; and WHEREAS, recreational participation builds family unity and social capital; strengthens volunteer and community development; enhances social interaction; creates community pride and vitality; and promotes sensitivity and understanding to cultural diversity; and WHEREAS,parks, open space and trails provide active and passive outdoor recreation opportunities, help maintain clean air and water; and promotes stewardship of the natural environment; and WHEREAS, recreation, therapeutic recreation and leisure education are essential to the rehabilitation of individuals who have become ill or disabled, or disadvantaged, or who have demonstrated anti-social behavior; and WHEREAS, the benefits provided by recreation programs, services and parks, and open space, reduce healthcare and social service costs; serve to boost the economy, economic renewal and sustainability; enhance property values; attract new business; increase tourism; and curb employee absenteeism; and WHEREAS, all levels of government, the voluntary sector and private enterprise throughout the Province participate in the planning, development and operation of recreation and parks program, services and facilities; NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved that Ontario does hereby proclaim that June, which witnesses the greening of Ontario and serves as a significant gateway to family activities, has been designated as Recreation and Parks Month, which will annually recognize and celebrate the benefits derived year round from quality public and private recreation and parks resources at the local,regional and provincial levels. Therefore, the Mayor and Council of the Municipality of Clarington, in recognition of the benefits and values of Recreation and Parks, do hereby designate the month of June as Recreation and Parks Month.