The Town of Gravenhurst approved a new Recreation for All bylaw to boost participation in recreation programs among low-income residents.
During the March 17 meeting, Shawna Patterson, director of recreation, arts and culture, presented a report indicating that the town lacks a formal policy to provide affordable access to recreation programs.
“Since the pandemic, there has been an increasing trend of more families and individuals not meeting the ‘low income’ cutoff for basic needs, which is limiting the ability to participate in recreation and cultural activities,” states the report.
According to Patterson, low-income residents face barriers to participation, including limited awareness of local recreation, physical activity, and sports opportunities. Additional barriers include literacy levels, mental health restrictions, registration fees, transportation, and equipment costs.
“Recreation is a fundamental human need in all ages and stages of life. People participate in recreational activities for fun, enjoyment, fitness, health, social interaction, creative expression, a desire to connect with nature, relaxation, and to enhance their quality of life,” states the report.
The report proposes increasing the number of free and low-cost community recreation opportunities, enhancing inclusion and access, and boosting participation among families and individuals by promoting the benefits of recreation for physical and mental health, social inclusion, and constructive use of leisure time.
“The proposed policy and program are not expected to have a direct financial impact on the operating budget. Minimal to no revenue loss is anticipated as individuals who would qualify for the program may not be currently participating in fee-based programming,” states the report.
Some of the objectives of the proposed bylaw include continuing to expand free and low-cost community recreation opportunities, aiming to increase inclusion and access for populations facing participation constraints through targeted outreach initiatives.
Additionally, it seeks to boost the participation of families and individuals in recreation programs by promoting the benefits of recreation for physical and mental health, social inclusion, and the constructive use of leisure time.
After a lengthy discussion, council decided to move forward with the new policy. Staff indicated they will continue to monitor the program and review the policy as needed to ensure its effectiveness.
