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What is the Play Works Partnership?
Play Works is a group of organizations concerned about the future of our youth. We represent the areas of sport, physical activity, civic engagement, arts and culture, rural youth, and recreation. We have joined forces to bring back the power of play to Ontario youth and are dedicated to advancing play for 13 - 19 year olds on local and provincial public and political agendas. Download the Play Works Platform.  

What is the power of play?
Play isn't all fun and games. It's not just in a park or a gym. And it's not just for children. Play is diving off the high board, making pottery, throwing a snowball, dreaming on a lawn. It's all about shaping, learning and inspiring. A game of chess ignites reasoning. A run in the park builds endurance and strength. Volunteering at an art gallery develops social responsibility. Play is crucial for the social, physical, intellectual, emotional and civic development of youth. Play works!

So, what's the big deal?
Places to play are becoming less accessible to adolescent youth. Cutbacks mean fewer activities for youth. Unsupervised activities for youth are seen as too risky. Volunteers and leaders are ready to burn out.

What does all this mean?
Less youth participation. And that can mean more crime, drug use, complaints about loitering, and contributes to a 50 % increase in childhood obesity over the last 15 years. Ontario needs to come out and play!

Youth Friendly Community Recognition Program
As a way of promoting the importance and value of youth engagement, Play Works established the Youth Friendly Community Recognition Program.The Program works to acknowledge the great work that some communities are doing in ensuring their youth (ages 13 - 19) have continuous access to a diversity of 'play' (play being anything a young person does in his/her free time which could include: sport, recreation, drama, dance, music, the arts, volunteerism, leadership development, service leadership and/or civic engagement).

Play Works began recognizing Youth Friendly communities in 2005 and, since that time, 32 communities in Ontario have received recognition.

Visit the Play Works website for more information.

Members of the Play Works Partnership

• 4-H Ontario
• Arts Network for Children and Youth
• Boys and Girls Clubs of Ontario
• Educational Research
• Laidlaw Foundation
• Ontario Physical and Health Education Association
• Parks and Recreation Ontario
• Sport Alliance of Ontario
• YMCA Ontario

Play Works Partnership
playworkspartnership.ca
pwp@playworkspartnership.ca
c/o 1 Concorde Gate, Suite 302
Toronto, ON M3C 3N6
Phone: 416-426-7142 Fax: 416-426-7371

Play Works acknowledges and appreciates the support from the The Laidlaw Foundation, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, and the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion.