ParticipACTION Community Challenge is back!

submitted by Jill Sturdy, Municipality of NG

Crowned Canada's Most Active Community in 2021, and Ontario's Most Active Community in 2022, North Grenville is ready to chase the title again in 2023!

The ParticipACTION Community Challenge is a national physical activity and sports initiative that encourages everyone in Canada to get active throughout June in search of Canada's Most Active Community.

“We know so many residents in North Grenville who are committed to physical activity and embraced the opportunity to compete against other communities in Canada through the Participaction Challenge. Our formidable efforts led North Grenville to winning the national and provincial titles, respectively, in 2021 and 2022. With those titles, our community received over $100,000 in prize money to invest in local parks and recreation. It’s time to go for gold again,” highlighted Mayor Nancy Peckford.

“By participating in the Community Challenge, we encourage residents, busi- nesses, community groups, neighbourhoods, among others, to get to know each other and/or reconnect in fun and exciting ways,” added Mayor Peckford. “The team spirit shown in North Grenville has been absolutely amazing.”

“After winning the title for the last two years, we have proven that our community is active and rises to the challenge,” emphasized Tanya Deans, Chair of the Health, Wellness and Fitness Advisory Committee.

The Community Challenge encourages all ages and abilities to get active for the month of June. Participants are encouraged to track their minutes on the Participaction App or website. All physical activity minutes count – whether it’s a fitness class, yoga, walking the dog, housework, yard work, as well as all individual and group fitness workouts.

Follow the Municipality’s social media channels for daily tips and ideas to help you get moving each and every day.

“June is Parks and Recreation Month, and the Com- munity Challenge is a great excuse to get outside and be active throughout the month,” added Councillor Doreen O’Sullivan.

How to Participate

The challenge is open to all individuals, organizations and businesses. All minutes tracked on the app and on the website from June 1 – 30 using our main postal code (K0G 1J0) count toward North Grenville's total score.

Simply download the free ParticipACTION app using your North Grenville Postal Code. Track your minutes using the app or on the website. You can even sync your fitness tracker with the app!

Crowned Canada’s and Ontario’s Most Active Community

In 2021, North Grenville was crowned Canada’s Most Active Community, after logging over 9 Million Minutes and beating out larger communities. The title also came with $100,000 in prize money.

After consulting with the community, it was decided that it would be used to expand recreational opportunities in the rural ham- lets including a new play structure at Crozier Park, Oxford Mills and at Oxford Station Park, a new rink house at Bishop Mills Park, and an upgraded basketball court behind the Burritt’s Rapids Community Centre. In addition, a portion of the funds was used to support the establishment of a rebuilt BMX pump track at Riverside Park.

Being named Ontario’s Most Active Community in 2022 came with $7,500 in prize money.

The prize money will be invested in expanding the recreation lending library operated by the North Grenville Public Library, and equipment for the Parks, Recreation and Culture Department. Items will include a pickle ball set, tennis rackets, lawn games, and snowshoes. In addition, a portion of the funds will be used to expand the skate and helmet lending library at the Municipal Centre, which has seen significant community intake.

For more information visit our website at www. northgrenville.ca/GetActive

Rideau Canal opens for 2023 navigation season

submitted by Maureen Belej

Parks Canada is pleased to welcome all new and returning visitors for the opening of the 191st navigation season on the Rideau Canal National Historic Site.

Following a record year for overnight mooring along the Ontario Waterways in 2022 and a surge in popularity among international guests, travellers are encouraged to book their preferred travel windows, accommodations and lock passes early to reserve the best experience on Ontario’s historic canals.

The Rideau Canal holds designations as a Canadian National Historic Site, a Canadian Heritage River, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 49 locks between Kingston and Ottawa’s National Capital

Region connect more than one million visitors annually with incredible beauty, natural heritage, and modern Canadian memories. Parks Canada offers 450,000 km2 of stories nationally, and the Rideau Canal has experiences for everyone.

Our one-of-a-kind overnight stays at oTENTiks, Lockmaster’s Houses, and reservable camping sites are unique and popular experiences which can be booked online at www. reservations.pc.gc.ca.

This year, canoers and kayakers will continue to enjoy 50% off their seasonal lockage and mooring passes for all paddlers, all season-long and, returning this year, will be the ever-popular free program at Hartwells Lock in Ottawa, “Learnto Paddle,” scheduled to start on June 1, 2023. We are still in the planning stages, but interested individuals should watch our website and social media channels as we gear up to present this ever-popular course. What is “Learn-to Paddle”? Find more by visiting our website below.

The safety of our visitors and staff continues to be of the utmost importance to Parks Canada. Due to higher-than-average flows in all reaches, boaters, paddlers, and swimmers are asked to exercise caution. Floating debris may be present, and aids to navigation may be offstation as Parks Canada continues to monitor the navigation channels. Boaters are also advised to watch their wake and wash near shorelines to avoid damage to docks, boats and property.

For more information about the Rideau Canal National Historic Site, visit us on-line at www. parkscanada.gc.ca/rideau, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter @RideauCanalNHS.