Affordable Access to Recreation
Vision ~ Everyone has access to affordable recreation in their community
in order to enjoy health and social benefits and to improve their prospects for a better future.
Background
Parks and Recreation Ontario (PRO) along with other national, provincial and territorial associations were involved in the development of a national policy on affordable access to recreation. PRO has set an objective and action plan to create awareness of the issue, build partnerships committed to action and provide tools and resources to help mobilize communities to provide recreation without barriers for low-income families, especially children and youth.
In 2005, PRO endorsed a national policy statement and established the Ontario Task Group on Affordable Access to Recreation. The Task Group is comprised of members from a broad representation of provincial, municipal, non-profit, corporate, and advocacy partners.The members share an interest in the healthy development of children, youth, families and communities and are working collaboratively to influence policy development in Ontario to increase access to recreation for those in need. The Task Group has positioned affordable access to recreation within a variety of provincial Ministries and initiatives, such as Poverty Reduction and Roots of Youth Violence. In addition, Task Group members make presentations at provincial conferences (Association of Municipalities of Ontario, Parks and Recreation Ontario) and with allied organizations.
Task Group Members
Below are links to research and tools that will help advance the issue of affordable access to recreation and will assist communities in implementing access policies and initiatives. To join the Affordable Access Discussion Group, a place where you can find policies from other organizations and municipalities, please click here.
The Policy Framework
 |
After research and community consultations, the Task Group created the Affordable Access to Recreation for Ontarians Policy
Framework. This Framework will help to galvinize community organization, the private sector and all
levels of government to action, based on a shared vision of affordable access to recreation. In addition to the Framework, the Task Group has created a Policy Development and Implementation Guide for Communities. This provides communities with strategies to increase access and examples of other policies and programs. |
Community Tools
| Promising Practices Guide (2008) | Innovative initiatives that are increasing access to recreation for low-income children and youth from across the province. |
| The Town of Ajax has shared its policy for Affordable Access to Recreation and the report to
council that accompanied the policy. |
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| Policy Development and Implementation Guide for Communities | This Guide includes strategies to increase access and examples of how to implement a policy in your community. |
Research and Reports
| The Health, Social and
Economic Benefits of Increasing Access to Recreation for Low-Income Families: Research Summary Report
(2007) by Dr. Mark Totten |
Summary of a research project to support the work of the Access to Recreation for Low-income Families project. Bibliographic databases, recent U.S., U.K. and Australian evaluations on after-school programs, at-risk youth recreation programs, and youth development programs have been reviewed as well as evidence-based youth crime prevention strategies in community settings. |
|
Report of 2007 Municipal Survey on Affordable Access Policies (2007) by David Redmond |
Summary of an online survey of 145 municipal recreation practitioners in
Ontario with regard to policies and practices for low income access to recreation. |
|
Report on the Access to Recreation Ontario Policy Planning Institute (2007) |
In November 2007, the Ontario Task Group on Access to Recreation for Low-Income
Families held a first of its kind Policy Planning Institute in Toronto. Bringing together 100 leaders in
recreation, education, arts, government, policy research, health and social services, the group engaged in
discussions on the barriers to participation, possible solutions, and making it happen. The day generated a
wealth of ideas that are captured in a report. This report formed the basis for the Policy Framework. |
Policy and Position Statements (2000-2009)
| Affordable Access to Recreation for Ontarians Policy Framework (2009) | This Framework will help to galvinize community organization, the private sector and all levels of government to action, based on a shared vision of affordable access to recreation. |
| Parks and Recreation Ontario Resolution supporting National Policy on Access to Recreation for Low-Income Families (2006) |
Sample of a resolution, passed at the Parks and Recreation Ontario (PRO) Annual General Meeting in 2006 which could be used by an organization that would like to adopt the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA) Access Policy. |
| CPRA National Policy on Access to Recreation (2005) | Canada's national vision for Affordable Access to Recreation. This policy was formally adopted by Parks and Recreation Ontario. |
|
Affordable Access to Parks and Recreation
Services: Position Statement (2000) |
Outlines principles developed by the Board of Directors, which formed the basis the the
creation of a Task Group on Access to Recreation for Low Income Families. |
Please also visit the Access to Recreation collection at the Lifestyle Information Network - www.lin.ca.
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