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Home My WebLink AboutCSD-010-16 Clarington Community Services Report If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Municipal Clerk at 905-623-3379 ext. 2102. Report To: General Government Committee Date of Meeting: May 30, 2016 Report Number: CSD-010-16 Resolution: File Number: N/A By-law Number: Report Subject: June is Recreation and Parks Month 2016 Recommendations: 1. That Report CSD-010-16 be received; and 2. That the Municipality of Clarington, in recognition of the benefits and values of Recreation and Parks, designate the month of June as Recreation and Parks Month (Attachment 2). Municipality of Clarington Report CSD-010-16 Page 2 Report Overview The Municipality of Clarington is proud to recognize and celebrate June is Recreation and Parks Month by offering low and no cost activities for families and residents to enjoy and get active together. 1 . Background Established in 2005, June is Recreation and Parks Month (JRPM) is an annual community mobilization movement that takes place in parks, schools, recreation centres and neighbourhoods across Ontario. JRPM reaches children and families in Ontario through targeted promotion in participating communities. These communities proclaim JRPM and promote events, facilities, trails, parks and programs. JRPM engages hundreds of thousands of children and families in activities that increase physical activity, promote healthy eating and encourage safe play. 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. Proposal During the month of June, the Community Services Department will be celebrating Recreation and Parks Month, encouraging families to get active together. 46% of adults and 27% of youth do not get enough daily physical activity for optimum health (Statistics Canada, 2004). Getting active can be formal, organized sports or informal recreation and games. It's important that we celebrate the benefits of being active each and every day to encourage our residents to lead healthier lives. 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 including the Mobile Playground and fitness instructors who will be encouraging participation in a 30 minute Family Yoga and/or Family Bootcamp. These activities are free and require no equipment. The Neighbourhood Family Fitness Tour has been offered in Clarington during June is Recreation and Parks Month over the past few years. Since 2012, Community Services Department staff have visited various parks and offered free activities for over 500 Municipality of Clarington Report CSD-010-16 Page 3 children and adults. Parents and children participate in activities that encourage families to get active together. 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. 3. Benefits of Recreation Participation in physical recreation is essential to building healthy, active individuals from infancy to older adulthood. While unstructured play is important for all ages, it is particularly critical for children in today's society. Recreation is the positive actions and choices we make to recreate, to restore and to refresh body, mind and spirit. Recreation is unique in its ability to build capacity — the personal, social, economic and environmental benefits of recreation are the essence of a healthy community and individual well-being. Recreation creates opportunities for.people to be active, offering diverse and enjoyable ways to stay healthy. Over the last few decades, children's lives have become increasingly structured and media oriented, reducing their time in active unstructured play. There is a particular concern for the missed opportunity of outdoor play, which has been shown to increase a child's capacity for creativity, problem-solving and emotional and intellectual development. Through the activities provided by the Community Services Department in celebration of June is Recreation and Parks Month, opportunities are provided for families and individuals to participate in low or no cost activities, learn something new and get active together. 4. Concurrence Not Applicable 5. Conclusion It is respectfully recommended that Council show their support by proclaiming June as Recreation and Parks Month (Attachment 2). Municipality of Clarington Report CSD-010-16 Page 4 6. Strategic Plan Application The recommendations contained in this report conform to the Strategic Plan. #5. Promote Resident Engagement in Our Community Jam. Submitted by: Reviewed by:(-- - r V /Seph P. Caruana, Franklin Wu, Director of Community Services Chief Administrative Officer Staff Contact: Sharon Meredith, Manager of Recreation, 905-623-3379 ext. 2504 or smeredith@clarington.net Attachments: Attachment 1 — Family Fitness Tour Postcard Attachment 2 — June is Recreation and Parks Month Proclamation There are no interested parties to be notified of Council's decision. JPC/SM/WG Attachment 1 to CSD-010-16 June is Recreation and Parks Month 2016 now YEAM MY NEIGHBOURHOOO PARKS -rho Municipality of ciarington community Services i n roughout the Department Staff will tour various claringtgndP�®acthve as a family NE Is month of June to provide fun ways to play In celebration of June is Recreation&Parks Monthl RECR EATION001 E fitness �FR E E �;iC'�►�r� SRI®,4y� 7-8--00pnI 9EE1 �d f `y al the join VS for fant Sara and � �� raini rra, �ftrr��s fartlily t� tCam o y of for � seltl T� 'Spat M Wallbridge Park Glass St.S.(Newcastle Public School) Tue.June 7 Guildwood Park 180 Guildwood Dr,8owmanville Mon.June 13 Highland Park 41 George Reynolds Dr.,courtice Mon.June 20 ` Fitness at the Courtice Fitness Training Facility Orono Park 61 Princess St,,Orono Mon,June 27 I� t Croup Fitness Classes at Municipal Recreation F R acilities � - (call for class schedule) ,,.�: r , MAY miss= Attachment 2 to CSD-010-16 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 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.