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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-008-14 Clarington REPORT COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Date: May 26, 2014 Resolution#: By-law#: N/A Report#: CSD-008-14 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-008-14 be received; and 2. THAT the month of June be proclaimed Recreation and Parks Month in the Municipality of Clarington. r Submitted by: �` � Reviewed by: - 408eph P. Caruana Franklin Wu, irector, Community Chief Administrative Officer Services J PC/sm CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 3A6 T 905-623-3379 REPORT NO.: CSD-008-14 PAGE 2 1.0 BACKGROUND 1.1 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 concerted 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. 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. The theme for June is Recreation and Parks Month 2014 is "Play Everyday!" 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 has been offered in Clarington during June is Recreation and Parks Month in 2012 and 2013. Community Services Department Staff visited eight parks and offered free activities for almost 300 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 about developing the fundamental movement skills that all children need, such as running, hopping, throwing, catching and jumping. These movement skills in turn, give kids the confidence to participate in different physical activities, sports, and games. Many believe physical literacy is key to being active for life. REPORT NO.: CSD-008-14 PAGE 3 3.2 Physical literacy is essential today because the outdoor games and activities that filled our childhood and helped us develop movement skills have been replaced by more screen time and inactivity in general. Children who are physically literate will be more confident to play games, and they will have more fun playing because they know how to run, jump and throw. 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. When children learn to make movement and play a part of their day when they are young, it will become a natural part of their lives as they get older. 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 that 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. 5.0 CONCURRENCE: Not Applicable CONFORMITY WITH STRATEGIC PLAN — Not applicable Staff Contact: Sharon Meredith, Manager, Recreation Services Attachments: Attachment 1 — Neighbourhood Family Fitness Tour Postcard Attachment 2 — June is Recreation and Parks Month Proclamation Attachment 1 to Report CSD-008-14 i JUNE is 0arington + Clafinooll N i RECREATION PARKS MONTH *KS NEIGHBOURHOOD PAP ' . � I-7 � , 1 1 The Municipality of Clarin g ton Community Services t the ghou Department Staff will tour various Clarinagtthveuas a family month of June to provide fun ways top Y and be ac in celebration of June is Recreation&Parks Mont h I dYOp•in��� FREE fitness a too FRIDAyS _ �. h at t VER a courts Fitness Uf.S©Ay Training pacilihj X T in dune' j EYERY FRIDAY in June! ni1gam 7-g:00pm FREE! R E E= loin us for fun, games, Fitness �'� ���� Fitness at the Courtice Fitness Training Facility and refreshments! Group Fitness Classes at the Courtice Community Complex, Newcastle&District Recreation Complex and the South Courtice Arena WGubridg dark Glass lso t.S.(Newcastle ePi le School) Mon.June 2 (call for class schedule) Wed.June 4 Rosswell Park 132 Rosswell Dr„Courtice Mon,June 9 i Pearce Farm Park 260 Shipway Ave.(Port of Newcastle) Wed.June 11 � -RZCRSAflON ; ®vaares�++�� Highland Park 41 George Reynolds Dr.,Courtice ' 4`l•' { + � Mon.June 16 Orono Park 61 Princess St.,Orono MEN B Mon.June 23 Owmanville Memorial Park 120 Liberty St,S.,Bowmanville ed.June 25 Attachment 2 to Report CSD-008-14 MUNICIPAL PROCLAMATION June is Recreation and Parks Month WHEREAS, in 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 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.