Parks and Recreation Ontario Awards

Each year Parks and Recreation Ontario (PRO) recognizes and honours the achievements of both its members and others in the parks and recreation community. These highly coveted awards express PRO’s admiration and gratitude to individuals and organizations who have contributed to the advancement of leisure, parks and recreation in Ontario. The Awards Program includes awards for members, communities, individuals, students and agencies. PRO was pleased to present the following awards at the Presidents’ Luncheon and Awards Ceremony of Canada’s National Parks and Recreation Conference and Trade Show:

HIGH FIVE^® Champion Award
Hugh Clydesdale Bursary Award
Awards of Excellence
President’s Award of Distinction
Trillium Award

This award recognizes outstanding individuals who have supported and inspired the implementation of HIGH FIVE^®. The 2007 HIGH FIVE^® Champion Award recipient is Ellen Stewart, Recreationist with the City of Peterborough. In 2002-2003, the City of Peterborough realized the HIGH FIVE^® program was a valuable resource and should be incorporated into its programs and services. HIGH FIVE^® is a quality standard of Parks and Recreation Ontario designed to support the safety, well-being and healthy development of children in recreation and sport programs.

When reviewing who would lead the HIGH FIVE^® initiative for the City, Ellen Stewart was a logical choice because of her role with youth and her interest and enthusiasm for the project.

Ellen sought out training to ensure she was fully equipped to lead the charge on the implementation of HIGH FIVE^® in Peterborough. As a HIGH FIVE^® trainer herself, she has taught over 150 leaders on the Principles of Healthy Child Development (PHCD) and has trained City staff and other community leaders on Quest 1 and Quest 2. She took the initiative to train students from the Recreation and Leisure Studies Program at Sir Sanford Fleming College in PHCD. Ellen also worked diligently to ensure complementary resources, such as policies and procedures, were in keeping with the HIGH FIVE^® standards.

Ellen most recently led the City of Peterborough through the final stages of HIGH FIVE^® Accreditation, a thorough and comprehensive process. After five years of dedicated work, Ellen’s efforts are being fully recognized and the recreation programs run by the City of Peterborough are considered of the highest quality in the community.

Hugh Clydesdale Bursary Award – Carolyn Wilkie, University of Waterloo

This is an annual monetary bursary, administered by the City of Toronto, which is awarded to a promising female parks and recreation student or practitioner in Ontario to help further her education in parks and recreation. Winners must show academic excellence, have a minimum of one year cumulative work or volunteer experience in the field of parks and recreation, and have demonstrated significant and continuing leadership in an academic, community or work environment.

The 2007 recipient of the High Clydesdale Bursary Award is Carolyn Wilkie. Carolyn is currently enrolled at the University of Waterloo in the Honours Co-op Recreation and Leisure Studies Program. An avid volunteer since the age of 13, Carolyn’s first involvement in parks and recreation came when she worked with the Oakville Parks and Recreation Dance program. In high school, Carolyn became involved with the Oakville Youth Development Centre, where she sat on the Board in the capacity of Youth Secretary and Youth Chair.

Before enrolling at the University of Waterloo, Carolyn worked in the field as a manager at a fitness facility. There, she began to develop an interest in encouraging and motivating inactive individuals to begin a fitness program. Since enrolling at the University of Waterloo, Carolyn has increased her experience and expertise by volunteering with the City of Waterloo’s Senior Outing Day Program. Through this experience, Carolyn has learned about the many diverse opportunities seniors have to keep active.

As part of her co-op studies, Carolyn has worked at a long-term care facility in St. Thomas Ontario, working in the Activation Department. Carolyn has demonstrated great promise and dedication to improving the quality of life for people of all age groups through recreation. Carolyn will receive $1000 to use towards her studies at the University of Waterloo.

These awards honour individuals, volunteers, and organizations from the Parks and Recreation Ontario (PRO) Special Interest Areas who have demonstrated new and innovative activities or programs, unique facility design, staff or volunteer development, leadership, community development, creative marketing initiatives or other ideas that foster cooperative approaches or further the advancement of sport, recreation and leisure within their chosen discipline.

PRO has six Special Interest Areas (SIAs): Accessible Recreation, Aquatics, Children and Youth, Municipal Administration, Parks, Environment and Open Spaces, and Volunteerism.

Accessible Recreation SIA – Every Kid Counts, Lansdowne Children’s Centre, Brantford

Every Kid Counts, run through Lansdowne Children’s Centre and operated by Marg Farrace, is a recreation program that promotes the inclusion of children and youth with special needs in recreation programs in Brant County. The program provides children and youth with an equal opportunity to participate in a wide variety of activities, including sports, arts, camps, swimming lessons and other recreational programs.

By matching participants with skilled “support facilitators,” the program promotes self esteem and encourages all participants to fully express themselves and explore their imagination. Children continue meet old friends and have the opportunity to make new ones in a safe and supportive environment. They develop skills and a measure of independence that allow them the opportunity to realize their full potential as part of an active community. Most of all, the children can play and have fun!

Developed in 2001, Every Kid Counts is now supported by seven agencies: Brant United Way, the City of Brantford Parks and Recreation, the Boys and Girls Club of Brantford, YMCA/YWCA of Brantford, Lansdowne Children’s Centre, Family Counseling Centre of Brant Inc. and the County of Brant, Community and Development Services Department. To date, children and youth in the program have participated in more than 14,000 hours of recreational activity!

Program supervisor Marg Farrace is noted for her ability to foster and develop partnerships, and all the agencies involved are to be applauded for providing ongoing special training and support to the program staff. The commitment and enthusiasm of the staff makes the experience for all involved both rewarding and invaluable to the community.

WIRA is a non-profit alliance of members dedicated to delivering research data regarding water-related incidents, injuries and fatalities. This group believes that the answer to preventing water-related injuries and fatalities begins with a better understanding of the problems.

WIRA members include representatives from the Canadian Coast Guard, Lifesaving Society, Canadian Red Cross, Ontario Provincial Police, the Canadian Institute for Health Information, the National Search and Rescue Secretariat, Parks and Recreation Ontario, the Cook-Rees Memorial Fund for Water Search and Safety and many municipal recreation departments.

Every year, approximately 600 Canadians drown. Since the early 1990's, the Canadian Red Cross and the Lifesaving Society have partnered with provincial and territorial coroners' offices to collect data on drownings and water-related deaths in Canada. With the establishment of WIRA, research was expanded to include non-fatal water-related incidents and injuries along with the causal risk factors - information that is essential to the development of prevention and education strategies. WIRA also provides data and reports in a timely manner that is easily accessible.

WIRA’s goal is to provide organizations involved in water safety, boating, drowning prevention, and search and rescue with useful data on non-fatal injuries and deaths that is timely, systematically collected and recorded, easily accessible to a broad audience, user-friendly and includes regional and local information. It has an important community role to provide "the facts” that enable aquatics providers and others to develop strategies to minimize risk and to enhance the safety and enjoyment of all swimmers.

Children and Youth SIA – Clean City Youth Ambassadors, Brampton Clean City Committee

The Clean City Youth Ambassadors keep the City of Brampton clean and green. This team of 20 tenacious youth, from grades nine to twelve, has a strong commitment to protecting the environment thus making Brampton a better place for future generations to live. Since June 2006, the Clean City Youth Ambassadors have been visiting parks around the City of Brampton and picking up litter twice a week during the summer months and once a week during the fall. The group also volunteers at various special events, such as the Canada Day Celebrations, and - leading by example – they encourage their peers to put their litter where it belongs – in the garbage or recycle bin. This group of volunteers has been commended by the Mayor of Brampton, Susan Fennell, for its vision and for taking on such an important responsibility at such a young age.

The Clean City Youth Ambassadors have also undertaken a project to obtain recycling bins for their own high schools. In 2007, the group had the opportunity to be involved in Communities in Bloom. During the judging in Brampton, the ambassadors helped out by handing out flyers to invited guests. They also showcased the Clean City Youth Ambassador program through a display board and through personally speaking to the judges.

The Clean City Youth Ambassadors are important role models for their peers and everyone in the community for making a real impact in their own community.

Municipal Administration – Bob Gauvreau, Manager of Corporate Security, City of Ottawa

Bob Gauvreau, Manager of Corporate Security in the Business Transformation Services Department of the City of Ottawa, has worked cooperatively with the Parks and Recreation Branch to implement a new project called “The Parks Protection Program” to support security in parks and outdoor recreation spaces in Ottawa.

In 2003, the City’s Corporate Security Division introduced a Proactive Audio Video (PAV) system into the outdoor pools run by the City of Ottawa. The system has been highly effective in addressing security concerns at outdoor pools, such as vandalism. The camera system includes loudspeakers with which security staff can inform potential offenders of the surveillance. In 2004, the system was recognized by an American security publication as a Best Practice.

Since then, the PAV system has been installed in other parks and historic sites within the City. In addition to the benefits of decreasing crime and helping make residents feel safer, by promoting safe recreation opportunities the system has allowed Ottawa residents to become more active. It has fostered a renewed sense of community ownership, as more people use parks because of the increased safety features.

This system is suited to some situations and, as such, is not feasible to implement in all of Ottawa’s outdoor recreation spaces. Looking for other viable options, a second phase of the program has been created. It involves employing a system called “hotspot response” in which easily portable, solar-powered, wireless units can be placed temporarily in areas identified as potential “hotspots” for criminal activity. Thanks to Bob Gauvreau and his team, Ottawa has one of the largest integrated security management systems of any Canadian municipality. Working closely with the Parks and Recreation Branch, Bob has ensured that the system met the needs of users and service providers in our nation’s capital.

Parks, Environment and Open Spaces SIA – Rouge Valley Foundation, the Upper Rouge Network Partnership Program, and Town of Richmond Hill, Parks, Recreation and Culture Department

This award is being given to the Rouge Valley Foundation, the Upper Rouge Network Partnership Program and the Town of Richmond Hill, Parks, Recreation and Culture Division for their joint effort to establish an interpretive centre in one of the town’s parks.

The historic “Shaw House” was donated to the Town in 1997 primarily through the efforts of Mr. Robert Holland, a resident of Richmond Hill and a member of the Rouge Valley Foundation. The project involved restoring and relocating the house, estimated to have been built between 1801 and 1834, and making it the focal point within Phyllis Rawlinson Park. Renamed the Robert Holland Interpretive Centre, it is the home base for a new generation of environmentally conscious youngsters who actively explore the natural world and get involved in environmental activities and outdoor education programs. Collaborations with community groups such as the Girl Guides, Scouts Canada and the Richmond Hill Naturalists have been created and schools from the Greater Toronto Area are making use of the Centre and the surrounding parkland.

Having the unique advantage of being positioned in the ecologically sensitive Oak Ridges Moraine, the Centre provides opportunities for residents to participate in environmental studies, native studies, pioneer life, tree planting, trail maintenance, habitat construction and interpretive hikes. Historical displays within the Centre educate people on the history of the “Shaw House” and the Rawlinson family. Programs, run by the Parks, Recreation and Culture Department, continue to grow, while the park site itself is being developed through community efforts to plant indigenous vegetation, developing the wildlife habitat and enhancing the wetlands.

In 2006, a full-time Outdoor Education Assistant was hired, made possible through a grant from the Trillium Foundation. The vision is that the centre will become a community-wide asset for teaching and understanding what happens when humans interact with the environment and how to best accommodate sustainable growth.

The Trillium Award recognizes individual service and dedication to parks and recreation, either as a professional or volunteer. The award acknowledges length of service, professional involvement, or significant personal involvement in parks and recreation. Given for outstanding contributions, this award illustrates a commitment that is truly extraordinary.

The 2007 winner of the Parks and Recreation Ontario Trillium Award is City of Ottawa employee Jennifer Popowicz. Jennifer began working for the city in 1974 and, throughout her 33 years in Ottawa, she has illustrated continuous commitment. In addition to completing her day-to-day tasks in Risk Management, she has a long list of accomplishments. Jennifer developed and implemented a Municipal Alcohol Policy, a Sledding Strategy, an independent Instructor Program and the Event User Group Insurance Program (2006).

This last program responds to the insurance needs of individuals, sport and community groups that hold events or offer seasonal programs in municipally-owned facilities and parks. Covering 90 approved activity classifications, such as sport, fitness, arts and culture, family celebrations, community events, festivals, the insurance premiums available to these groups are affordable and can be purchased for one-time events or ongoing activities. In one case, a hockey team saved almost $700 on their four month insurance premiums by using the program designed by Jennifer. Through her efforts, Jennifer has opened the door for more people to participate in leisure and recreation programs at a lower cost.

This is just one example of how Jennifer’s innovative thinking and dedication to her work have improved the quality of life for Ottawa residents. Her passion and enthusiasm continue to grow each year and she maintains a high level of performance on an ongoing basis.

2007 President’s Awards of Distinction
CIRA Ontario (Canadian Intramural Recreation Association – Ontario)
Body Break, Hal Johnson and Joanne McLeod

The Parks and Recreation Ontario (PRO) President’s Award of Distinction recognizes exceptional contributions or commitment to the advancement of parks and recreation in Ontario. Each year, the PRO Board of Directors chooses a different focus for the award and this year the theme is healthy eating and active living. The Board is pleased to recognize CIRA Ontario and Body Break for their long-term commitment to promoting a healthy lifestyle and innovative programs and services.

CIRA Ontario (Canadian Intramural Recreation Association – Ontario)
Parks and Recreation Ontario congratulates CIRA Ontario for its efforts to encourage active living, healthy lifestyles and personal growth through intramural and recreational programs within the education and recreation communities. Since 1969, CIRA Ontario, and its predecessor OIRA, have fostered physical activity through the development of programs and resources.

CIRA Ontario’s mission is to promote fun and active participation for all through intramural and recreation programs. CIRA Ontario believes that everyone should have the opportunity to participate in recreational and athletic activities, regardless of skill or fitness level. It also believes that a well-constructed intramural and recreation program will provide a wide range of activities that promote fun, fitness, and cooperative participation in either a noncompetitive or friendly competitive atmosphere.

CIRA Ontario serves approximately 1,500 members with a newsletter, a list serve, a bi-annual conference, workshops, and new resources. Two important resources are Active Playgrounds and Everybody Move. Active Playgrounds was supported, in the recent past, by Nestle and CIRA Ontario provided workshops across Canada on restoring children’s games on playgrounds. These games include various hop-scotch, four square, wall ball, singing, and other asphalt games. Everybody Move is a resource including a book, DVD, and CD, and is the most comprehensive and user friendly resource on Daily Vigorous Physical Activity through moving to music and games that can mostly be done in small spaces. It has been distributed to 11,000 physical activity leaders and educators in order to help implement Daily Physical Activity in elementary schools. The Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion supported the Everybody Move project through the Communities In Action Fund.

BODY BREAK with HAL JOHNSON & JOANNE McLEOD
Parks and Recreation Ontario applauds Hal Johnson and Joanne McLeod for promoting a healthy lifestyle through exercise and nutrition. Their groundbreaking Body Break TV segments have inspired many Canadians to “take the active pill” and adopt a healthier lifestyle. Along the way, Hal and Joanne promoted the benefits of parks and recreation in the activities of which they speak.

For the past 19 years, under the umbrella of Body Break, Hal and Joanne, who are now common household names, have been communicating to Canadians the important message that making small lifestyle changes can benefit individuals and their families for a lifetime. In their 90 second TV programs, 30 minute TV series, syndicated radio show, corporate presentations and Body Break products, many of the "controllable" risk factors such as eating well, being active and feeling good are presented and reinforced. They heighten the awareness of the benefits of a healthier, active lifestyle and show how practical and easy it is to do. But most of all, it's "fun."

Hal and Joanne believe that by encouraging and communicating their message in an entertaining, upbeat, and positive way, people will hear their message and begin to fully realize the implications of their actions and take responsibility for their total well being.

Hal Johnson - Hal grew up in Toronto, Ontario. His love of baseball as a youth lead him to a scholarship at the University of Colorado. Hal went on to represent Canada at the Baseball World Championships in Japan in 1982. He was later drafted in the sixth round by Cincinnati Reds but opted to finish his business degree. Besides having a successful baseball and business career, his extensive sales background and enthusiasm to keep fit helped launch and sustain Body Break's longevity. In his "spare" time you might find him golfing, playing hockey or working out on his treadmill.

Joanne McLeod - Joanne grew up in Scarborough, Ontario. She was a member of the Canadian Track and Field and was a 4 time National and 7 time Provincial hurdle champion. Joanne represented Canada at several international competitions such as the World Cup, Commonwealth and Pacific Conference Games. Her business and health background in the insurance industry also helped to further Body Break's success. She enjoys keeping fit and having fun running, golfing, and swimming. This dynamic duo are married and reside in Ontario. They have a 8 1/2 year old daughter and a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever named Cooper.