DIRECTION - March 2012

MARCH 2012 | VOLUME 3 | NUMBER 1

S A S K AT C H E W A N PA R K S A N D R E C R E AT I O N A S S O C I AT I O N

2011 National Recreation Summit Coming Together, Moving Forward

SEPTEMBER 2011 01

MARCH 2012 | VOLUME 3 | NUMBER 1

SPRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Darrell Lessmeister

Director for Villages Clive Craig

Director at Large Mike Powell

Director for Cities Jasmine Jackman

Director at Large Corrine Galarneau

Director at Large Kyle Lamkey

Director for Towns Mike Schwean

Director at Large Mimi Lodoen

Director for the North Sandy Rediron

Leadership and Evaluation Karen Thompson

FIELD CONSULTANTS/ ADMINISTRATION:

Recreation Facilities Kelly Skotnitsky

Swift Current Richie Bleau/ Danielle Dyck Phone: (306) 778-1091

SPRA STAFF MANAGEMENT: Chief Executive Officer Norm Campbell

TABLE OF CONTENTS SPRA CEO’s Report

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Canada’s 2011 National Recreation Summit

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Repositioning Parks and Recreation in Practice

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Lottery Lingo

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Recreation Leadership in Community Building

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Provincial Recreation Sector Policy

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Recreation - A Public or Private Service?

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After School Time Period

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The Gift of Play

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Denzil - A Community in Bloom

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Events 14 Grants and Funding SPRA Commercial Members

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Program Manager John Firnesz Field Services Manager Randy Durovick Communication, Information and Research Manager Luella Newman RECREATION CONSULTANTS:

The publication is provided to members of the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association. Direct all communications to: Editor, DIRECTION

Business Administrator Bonnie Thiessen Half-Time Business Administrator Travis Blanchard Executive Assistant Lois McNaught

Rosetown/North Battleford Kerry Bailey/ Michelle Longtin Phone: (306) 882-6601 Prince Albert Rob Boulding/ Manda Porter Phone: (306) 953-0052

Information Services Chantel Doerksen

Administrative Technician Ryan Monks

Communications Lori Ross Sandra Jackle

Weyburn Morgan Grainger/ Patricia Butz Phone: (306) 848-0272

Administrative Assistant II Paula Lichtenwald

Grants and Funding Lee Anne Balliett

Administrative Assistant I Amanda Rieger

Melville/Yorkton Michael Squier/ Linda Weinmaster Phone: (306) 728-3860

Parks and Open Spaces Andrew Exelby DIRECTION is published four times a year (December, March, June and September).

ADMINISTRATION:

Physical Activity and Fitness Wendy McKellar Aboriginal Support Tim Haywahe

Half-Time Administrative Assistant I Donna Matheson

Humboldt Clint McConnell Phone: (306) 682-5265 Physical Activity Kelly Wood Phone: (306) 778-1095

Regina Office: Phone: (306) 780-9231 or 1-800-563-2555

#100 - 1445 Park Street Regina, Saskatchewan S4N 4C5 You may also send letters or comments to Lori Ross, Communications Consultant, at 306.780.9370, by fax at 306.780.9257, or by email at lross@spra.sk.ca.

Articles within this magazine are the opinions of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of SPRA. Articles in DIRECTION may be reprinted, provided that full credits are shown for the author and the magazine.

in motion STAFF Manager Cathie Kryzanowski Manager Community and Target Strategies Marnie Sinclair Manager - Marketing and Communications Christine Niemczyk

*Cover photo courtesy of the Lifestyle Information Network 01 SEPTEMBER 2011

Consultant Graham Richardson

Communications Consultant Kim Herperger Communications Assistant Amanda Perry Executive Assistant Nicole Shewchuk Administrative Technician Laurie Cosgrove

Phone: (306) 780-9248 or 1-866-888-3648 Fax: (306) 780-9466

SPRA CEO’s REPORT The 2011 National Recreation Summit was held in Lake Louise in late October.

Over 200 recreation leaders from across the country participated, representing a variety of sectors. Saskatchewan’s delegation was thirteen strong and brought perspectives from a diverse cross section of the recreNorm Campbell SPRA Chief Executive Officer ation sector in the Province.

A list of those who attended the Summit from Saskatchewan is included on page 2, along with further information on the proceedings and the topics of discussion.

and there was an overall sense of urgency and commitment to moving forward at the national, provincial and local level.

The event was auspicious, not only because there were over 200 individuals representing 10 provinces and 3 territories, but also because of the high level of collaboration that the provincial and territorial governments and Parks and Recreation Associations across the country showed in organizing the event. Representatives from Government Ministries and the not for profit sector worked together for over a year and a half to plan and host the event. Saskatchewan actively contributed to the planning, as a member of the Summit Advisory Committee.

Plans are currently underway between the Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport and SPRA to host a one-day Saskatchewan Recreation Policy Development Workshop in May. Development of the workshop agenda is currently in the discussion stages. However, it is anticipated that recreation leaders from across the Province will be invited to participate in the event and provide input into the future direction of recreation in the Province. National Recreation Summit findings and the 2010 Saskatchewan Recreation Strategy Environmental Scan will act as the foundation for discussions. Using a working draft of the Saskatchewan Recreation Policy, which was developed after the initial provincial consultations, as a starting point, workshop participants will be asked to share their knowledge, passion and experience and to help guide the further development of the policy.

The purpose of the Summit was to examine the challenges and opportunities facing public recreation and parks at the national, provincial/territorial and municipal levels, and to help set the national agenda for the field for the next generation. The gathering provided recreation leaders with the opportunity to share information, discuss, debate, reflect on the past and look to the future.

Over thirty discussion papers were commissioned and provided to delegates in advance of the Summit. A number of national and international speakers were invited to the Summit to share their thoughts and views of the future. Three days were spent identifying issues, providing options for consideration, and identifying a starting point for a road map to guide the creation of a National Recreation Agenda. At conclusion of the Summit, there was a general feeling that much had been accomplished but that there was still much more to do. It was seen by many as a beginning rather than an end

From Saskatchewan’s perspective, the timing of the National Summit could not have been better. For over a year, SPRA and the Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport have been working together to develop a Saskatchewan Recreation Policy. Discussions at the National Recreation Summit provided valuable information and strong validation of the work and research completed to date. We are well positioned to move forward with development of the policy as we simultaneously synthesize and process the information from the Summit with the data collected during the 2010 Saskatchewan Recreation Strategy Environmental Scan and the input from the first round of consultations for the Provincial Recreation Policy.

Sherri Torjman noted in her Summit presentation “Recreation is both an end and a means to achieving other ends. It is a fundamental core building block of our notion of healthy flourishing communities.” The creation of a Saskatchewan Recreation Policy will guide the continued evolution of the recreation field in the Province and will provide us with the means to meet our end and vision of healthy, active Saskatchewan communities.

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CANADA’S 2011 NATIONAL RECREATION SUMMIT Leaders in recreation development, governmental affairs and public policy analysis from across Canada were brought together in Lake Louise from October 23 to 26 to participate in a ground breaking National Recreation Summit.

A joint venture of the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (and its Provincial/Territorial member associations), the Inter-Provincial Sport and Recreation Council (ISRC) and several Federal Agencies, the National Recreation Summit was organized by the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association and the Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation Ministry with the aid of a National Advisory Committee.

Over the course of three days, the 200 leaders explored the challenges and opportunities facing the recreation field and together, began identifying the steps needed at the national, provincial, territorial and municipal levels to deliver on recreation’s potential to be a solution to key issues of the day.

Individuals that attended the National Recreation Summit representing Saskatchewan’s recreation and parks sector, included Cary Humphrey – City of Saskatoon, Cathie Kryzanowski - Saskatchewan in motion, Chris Holden – City of Regina, Darcy McLeod – City of Yorkton, Darrell Lessmeister – SPRA President, Dawna Nielson – City of Regina, Joni Hagen – Southeast Connection Sport, Culture & Recreation District, Jody Hauta – City of Moose Jaw, Ken Ottenbreit City of Melfort, Marvin Sanderson – Muskoday First Nation, Randy Kinnee – Canadian Recreation Facilities Council, Shauna Bourassa – Town of Radville, and Norm Campbell – SPRA Chief Executive Officer.

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As part of the Summit, participants explored four key themes: • Confronting Canada’s public health crisis • Respecting nature and our environment • Building community • Contributing to public sector and social innovation In each topic area, a keynote offered a high-level overview, panelists drilled down into specific examples and then participants broke into groups to grapple with implications for the future of recreation and parks.

Keynote speakers included Dr. Trevor Hancock - University of Victoria; Richard Louv - Co-founder of the Children & Nature Networks; Sherri Torjman - Vice President, Caledon Institute of Social Policy; Christian Bason - MindLab and closing keynote, Dr. John Crompton - Texas A&M University.

Keynote Quotables...

In creating healthy communities, our aim is not to change the people but to change the settings.

- Dr. Trevor Hancock Reconnecting with nature has been shown to improve many of the physical and mental problems that have changed pediatric priorities from infectious disease, car seats and helmets to obesity, inactivity and mental health.

- Richard Louv Recreation is both an end and a means to achieving other ends. It is a fundamental, core building block of our notion of healthy flourishing communities.

- Sherri Torjman If you start doing things differently, the culture will follow and leadership will be demanded. Maybe we shouldn’t talk so much and instead be doing.

- Christian Bason The health (and wellness) community must be our spokesperson. We’ll be more effective when it’s not us speaking, but them advocating on our behalf.

- Dr. John Crompton Participants also had the opportunity to explore themes of their own choosing in a fifth breakout session. Their choice of topics offered a scan of top-of-mind issues: • Strategic foresight and innovation for the 21st century • Leisure education and physical literacy • Recreation inclusion, diversity and visible minorities • Aboriginal people, communities and recreation • The role of recreation in building community • Healthy aging and recreation • Building social capital and safe communities • Recreation’s value proposition and public messaging • Community sport and recreation infrastructure deficit • Rural recreation priorities • Canadian Sport Policy and linkages with the Recreation Summit • Post-Recreation Summit – Go forward strategic considerations

Next Steps include: •

A Synopsis of the key considerations, ideas and directions developed at the Summit itself (available on the LIN website)

•

A Summit Proceedings (available on the LIN website)

•

A document outlining proposed priorities for recreation and parks development across Canada, to be brought forward to meetings of Provincial and Territorial Ministers through the ISRC in two stages: a briefing document at the Ministers' 2012 meeting followed by a proposed actions document at their 2013 meeting.

The Summit was the start of what is hoped will be a regular mechanism for consultation and discussion - a beginning, not an ending.

Information from the Summit, including copies of commissioned background papers, plenary addresses, plenary panels and workshop deliberations, can be found on the Leisure Information Network’s website at www.lin.ca. Read on to learn more about some of the highlights from the National Recreation Summit and how themes are being addressed at both the national and provincial level. ■

Adapted from the Summit Synopsis (December, 2011) and the January 2012 CPRA Update *Photos courtesy of the Lifestyle Information Network

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REPOSITIONING PARKS AND RECREATION IN PRACTICE The Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association recently put repositioning to the test with their pocket parks promotional initiative at the 2012 SUMA Convention.

In the final Keynote of the National Recreation Summit in Lake Louise, Dr. John Crompton discussed the need to reposition recreation and parks services. Crompton explained how traditionally, recreation and parks provision has been considered a non-essential service. Crompton went on to suggest the need to “position recreation and park services so that they are perceived to be a central contribution to alleviating the major problems in a community identified by tax payers and decision makers. The ‘big idea’ [being] that funds are invested in solutions to a community’s most pressing problems.”

The Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association (SPRA) employed the repositioning concept when developing the “Pocket Parks” feature at the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) Convention this past January. The SUMA Convention is held annually and brings together urban municipal governments from across the Province to discuss the latest issues and trends affecting Saskatchewan’s urban communities. The SUMA Convention was held at Evraz place, in Regina, with sessions being held in the Queensbury Centre and the Convention Tradeshow being held a significant distance away, in the Agribition Building.

SPRA identified the Convention as an excellent setting to promote the value of parks and open spaces to community decision makers. An agreement was worked out with SUMA to develop seven Pocket Parks along the corridor connecting the Queensbury Centre and the Agribition Building. The Pocket Parks featured an arrangement of plants and trees, 04

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“grass” and park benches. They not only beautified the corridor but also provided delegates with the opportunity to pull up a park bench, sit down and rest their legs in a tranquil park setting. The parks also featured signs which highlighted the importance of parks and open spaces and the role they play in addressing some of the issues impacting Saskatchewan communities.

Why Invest in Parks...

Parks and open public spaces improve our physical and psychological health, and make our communities more attractive places to live and work.

Sherer, Paul M. (2006). The benefits of parks: Why America needs more city parks and open space. San Francisco, CA: The Trust for Public Land.

Children living in close proximity to green spaces with playgrounds are more active and less overweight.

Potwarka L.R., Kacynski, A.T, & Flack, A.L. (2008). Place to play: Association of park space and facilities with healthy weight status among children. Journal of Community Health, 33(5): 244-50.

A “dose of green” has been associated with reductions in ADHD symptoms in children, and lower incidences of stress, anxiety and clinical depression.

National Parks and Recreation Association. (2011). Synopsis of 2010 Research Papers: The Key Benefits. Ashburn, VA : National Parks and Recreation Association.

A park often becomes a prime marketing tool to attract tourists, conventions and businesses.

Sherer, Paul M. (2006). The benefits of parks: Why America needs more city parks and open space. San Francisco, CA: The Trust for Public Land.

LOTTERY LINGO $100,000 EXTRA WINNER IN REGINA! Every week, thousands of lottery players dream of winning a lottery, and Joanne Britz is no different. The dream came true for her when the EXTRA number on her LOTTO MAX ticket matched the last six digits to the winning number draw and won $100,000 – the game’s second Top Prize!

Public parks and accessible recreation facilities provide at-risk youth with a safe environment to interact with their peers, leading to reductions in juvenile delinquency.

Bell, Simon et al. (2008). Greenspace and quality of life: A critical literature review: Research report. Stirling, Scotland: Greenspace Scotland.

Urban green spaces pull carbon from both the air and soil and reduce local energy consumption by providing cooler surfaces and additional shade.

Bell, Simon et al. (2008). Greenspace and quality of life: A critical literature review: Research report. Stirling, Scotland: Greenspace Scotland.

Residents of neighborhoods with parks and green spaces are more likely to enjoy stronger social ties than those surrounded by barren concrete.

Sherer, Paul M. (2006). The benefits of parks: Why America needs more city parks and open space. San Francisco, CA: The Trust for Public Land.

Also available at each Pocket Park were buttons which featured the slogan, “Proud to Support Parks and Recreation.”

Park visitors were encouraged to take a button and showcase their support of the parks and recreation sector.

The Pocket Parks were well utilized over the course of the SUMA Convention. With each walk down the corridor, you would see more and more delegates taking advantage of the parks - to send a quick text, make a phone call, rest their feet or even have lunch. SPRA looks forward to continuing to work with SUMA to provide these settings at future conventions and to encourage municipal leaders to invest in community solutions by investing in parks. ■

Lori Ross SPRA Consultant - Communications

Joanne purchased a LOTTO MAX lottery ticket for the January 20th draw with the EXTRA entered from Drews - Your Independent Grocer, located at 336 McCarthy Boulevard in her hometown.

“I always play Quick Pick, and I always add EXTRA!” The Regina resident checked the ticket at the self-serve Ticket Checker – twice. She couldn’t believe the number of zeros she was seeing, so she had the Retailer check it too!

Joanne explained, “I was in shock. I was in a daze for the rest of the day.”

The winner said she is planning on taking her family on a vacation, and doing renovations to her house with her “EXTRA” money.

Prince Albert Man Wins $10,000 on SCRATCH ’N WIN! People say that good things come in threes, but for Daniel Mirasty of Prince Albert, they may come in fours. His BEJEWELED™ SCRATCH ’N WIN ticket revealed four yellow jewels in a straight line making him a $10,000 winner!

“I was attending a meeting in the hotel where I bought the ticket. I scratched it very soon after I bought it,” recalled Daniel. “I stopped the meeting when I mentioned I won 10 grand; everyone in the meeting went silent. I went back to the gift store to verify it and then I went and finished the meeting.”

Daniel purchased the ticket from Manitou Spring Giftware, located on 302 Maclachlin Avenue in Manitou Beach.

As for his winnings, Daniel doesn’t have definite plans.

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RECREATION LEADERSHIP IN COMMUNITY BUILDING “Communities get better when their leaders do” is one of the comments that came out of a community building session that I attended at the National Recreation Summit. This session sparked my interest due to my role in building capacity in communities at the District level in the Province.

The session was complimented by Brenda Herchmer’s Paper entitled, “Examining Our Community Building Value Proposition”, which uses the term “community building” as a catalyst for change that results in a positive impact. The paper discusses why the term community building is a much more relevant descriptor than the commonly used term of community development. It defines it as “a field of practices directed toward the creation or enhancement of community among individuals within a regional area with a common interest”.

Brenda states in her paper, “To help build capacity and deliver the benefits of recreation, parks, sports, arts, culture and active living, there needs to be an investment in leadership” – this rings true for Southeast Connection Sport, Culture & Recreation District, as one of our main priorities is to support communities to develop their leaders through education and training opportunities and to remove barriers to leadership development. Often, great things are happening in a community, but when the community champion leaves, all the positive stuff stops. Communities often depend on one individual or a group of individuals (STP “same ten people” syndrome), so it is important that leadership skills are built amongst a variety of community members.

Community leaders are needed who can act as the agents of change, advocate for quality of life and encourage empowerment of the community. This exemplifies the importance of investment in local leadership, as the community plays the leadership role in its own development.

The paper discusses that it is the investment in building community leadership and citizen engagement at the grassroots level that will “ensure leaders who inspire rather than demand and require”. Meaning that people who see themselves as “citizens” will have a greater commitment and be accountable to the well-being of the entire community, rather than 06

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seeing themselves as customers who put in their tax dollars and just pull a lever to get what they want.

Brenda indicates in her paper that Recreation Practitioners can serve as community builders and can enhance organizational capacity, support the development of leaders, provide opportunities for training and learning, facilitating, coaching and mentoring. They can bring together local leaders and stakeholders from a variety of sectors to generate ideas and form partnerships and alliances to create effective solutions.

The only challenge is that this is often not recognized as part of their work or rarely addressed as a responsibility. There is a need to promote the value of the Recreation Practitioner and to advocate on the potential that these positions can have in “building community”.

Community building is about people being more involved in their communities and recreation has so much to offer in doing this. All communities, large and small, are experiencing change – people can successfully take charge of their communities’ future – they just need the leadership to do it! ■

Joni Hagen Executive Director, Southeast Connection Sport, Culture & Recreation District

Provincial RECREATION SECTOR POLICY In the Spring of 2011, a project team consisting of officials from the Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport (TPCS) and the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association (SPRA) began work on the creation of a new recreation sector policy for the Province.

The intention of the new policy is to clarify the roles of recreation sector stakeholders and provide a common direction to the sector in Saskatchewan. The goals of the policy will help guide the sector and its provincial recreation organizations and will be incorporated into future agreements with major recreation stakeholders.

One of the first steps taken by the project team was to contract Professional Environmental Recreation Consultants Ltd. (PERC) to develop the policy and carry it through to completion. Early in the process, the project team established an advisory committee of 15 individuals involved in the recreation sector to guide the process and provide feedback on the draft documents that PERC produces.

Last September, PERC began the initial phase of the consultations by conducting 15 interviews with recreation stakeholders from around the Province. This list of consults included interviews with federal and provincial government Ministries, First Nation and Métis representatives, as well as members of the current recreation, sport and culture delivery system in our Province. These consultations, along with both

SPRA’s Recreation Sector Environmental Scan and information collected from the National Recreation Summit, acted as the backbone in the formation of PERC’s initial draft policy document.

Moving forward, PERC continues to refine the draft policy document and is working with the project team to coordinate the second phase of consultations, which will consist of a one day workshop with a range of stakeholders in Saskatoon, in mid-May. The new recreation sector policy is expected to be completed prior to September 2012.

The Ministry would like to recognize all those individuals who have taken the time to contribute to the development of the new policy by participating in the first phase of consultations. We look forward to hearing more feedback at the policy workshop in Saskatoon this May. ■

Dale Measner Sport and Recreation Policy Analyst, Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport

WHERE ARE SASKATCHEWAN’S NATIONAL RECREATION SUMMIT PARTICIPANTS? Photocopy the front page of DIRECTION and identify Saskatchewan’s National Recreation Summit Participants in the photo for a chance to win a SPRA prize! A complete list of the Saskatchewan Summit participants is available on page 2. Please note: There are 10 of the 13 Summit participants featured in the photo.

Submit your entry to SPRA, attention Lori Ross, by mail at: 100 - 1445 Park Street, Regina, SK S4N 4C5, fax at (306) 780-9257, or by email at lross@spra.sk.ca.

Submission deadline: March 26, 2012 MARCH 2012

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RECREATION - A PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SERVICE? What is the future for public recreation in Saskatchewan? Can public recreation exist in its current form or must it change?

Recent events impacting the parks and recreation sector in Saskatchewan prompted a more in depth review as to what is happening in the area of public recreation. In fact, public recreation practitioners might want to take stock of just how relevant the field is perceived to be by society at large. While advocacy for quality recreation and leisure opportunities has been stated as one of the sector’s key functions, this is a lost cause if no-one is aware of the sector’s existence.

A number of presentations at the National Recreation Summit in Lake Louise, in October, 2011 provided some interesting perspectives on the challenges confronting recreation practitioners, as well as initiatives they could consider.

Quotations are from Summit papers and from the presenters as listed. It is thought that they are an excellent resource to guide discussions in Saskatchewan.

Ruben Nelson, futurist, presenting at the Summit, asks, “Why have we in parks and recreation failed to fulfill the deepest aspirations that fuel our movement? We may suffer from unconsciously being locked into the frames of reference that dominate our modern/industrial culture.” He then notes, “First, within our modern/industrial frames of reference, parks and recreation will never be or do much more than we now do and are. The frame cannot hold or realize our dreams. Second, the modern/industrial frames of reference are slowly disintegrating. Not only are they past their “best before” dates, they are unsustainable. There is not another 100 years in them. Third, a new and more powerful set of perspectives is emerging that re-frames both persons and community and therefore, parks and recreation. Fourth, this development is so promising that we need to create a voluntary working group to check out the main arguments presented. “ There is broad agreement that public recreation is an essential component of the field. However, several researchers commented on the move to the economic model, as outlined 08

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by Nelson, and the negative impact it has had on public recreation. They provided information that public recreation was declining and that large segments of the population were no longer able to access quality recreation and leisure opportunities. Susan Markham-Starr, Acadia University, noted, “Recreation was a reform profession, sharing with social work and nursing and other nineteenth and twentieth century reform movements a mission to improve the quality of life of the less fortunate. The profession that used to be recreation has drifted away from those reformist roots.”

Troy Glover, University of Waterloo, questions the current individual centred approach. He suggests the field needs to move from a focus on active living at the individual level with its top-down, outcome-oriented approach and its emphasis on preventative health, on the individual, and on environmental justice, to a focus on healthy communities with a bottomup, process-oriented approach, and an emphasis on holistic health, on whole community, on social justice and on the social determinants.

Ken Balmer, Recreation Leader, offers some specific advice to address the changing trends, “We need a change leadership response to the changing economic situation. Denial is not an option. To carry on, reliant on the status quo, is not the answer. The sector needs to reposition along with the society and communities we serve. …when we look at government expenditure on recreation and culture, there has been significant growth since the 1980’s. At the same time economic barriers to participation are increasing.”

Doug Brimacombe, practitioner and educator, cautions, “the REFOCUS required by the ‘recreation and parks’ field will not be achieved unless there is an assertion of leadership. The Manager-Dominant model of the past 20 years needs to be supplanted by the Leader-Dominant approach. The Manager-Dominant focus is too limited. It concentrates attention at the dependent end of the Leisure Services Continuum. In this

mode, the community is expected to come to the practitioner. By contrast, the Leader-Dominant model recognizes the value of multiple roles.”

Several papers looked at the leadership role and the role of professionalism in the recreation sector and the extent to which the practitioners could influence decision makers until the issue is addressed.

Brenda Clarke and Greg Scott, researchers, provide an interesting perspective on professionalism and decision making.

They propose “a profession is created when a trade transforms itself by creating the means to educate, examine, and regulate the performance of its members. Lists of professions frequently mention accountants, lawyers, doctors, dentists, librarians, pilots etc. However, there is no mention of the recreation, parks, or facility manager.” They note, “over the past 60 years.. there is no consensus on the best practice or standards. It is time for the recreation and parks profession to rise to the challenge of becoming fully recognized as a profession by defining and agreeing on competencies, practices, and indicators that reflect service excellence in community recreation and parks organizations.”

The recurrent theme is the lack of a coherent vision as to the relationship and roles between private sector and public sector recreation. The focus has been on management at the expense of leadership. This has resulted in the lack of professional recognition. Other sectors such as in health, education, justice and municipal affairs have moved in to fill the void. If the recreation sector is to influence the leisure component in community economic development, there needs to be awareness that the only really distinguishing core value it brings to the table that the other sectors do not is “the recognition of the right of all citizens to access quality leisure opportunities”. The key here is a focus on the worthy use of leisure within the public domain.

There are several issues that can be debated in Saskatchewan. One issue is to discuss where the parks and recreation sector is currently positioned and where it wants to be. As Nelson noted in another section of his presentation, “for us in our modern/industrial culture, doing physical things is valued over thinking, and thinking is seen to trump re-perceiving.

Consider that having a reputation as a ‘doer’ as one who get things done, trumps being known as a ‘thinker.’ Consider also that those who promote innovation and creativity, at best, focus on “thinking outside the box.”

Aristotelian definition of leisure is often referenced in academic literature. In this definition, leisure is the state or condition of being free from the urgent demands of lower level needs. Aristotle deemed leisure to be the greatest good and available to all. From that base, a definition of recreation was formulated. Over the years, there has been considerable research done and papers developed. With minor differences, there is general agreement in academic circles specializing in recreation with Edington’s definition that it is: “Any activity pursued during leisure, either individual or collective, that is free and pleasureful, having its own immediate appeal, not impelled by a delayed reward beyond itself, or by any immediate necessity. Recreation consists of an activity or experience, usually chosen voluntarily by the participant, either because of the immediate satisfaction to be derived from it, or because he perceives some personal or social values to be achieved by it. It is carried on in leisure time, and has no work connotations, such as study for promotion in a job. It is usually enjoyable and when it is carried on as part of organized or community services, it is designed to meet constructive and socially worthwhile goals of the individual participant, the group and society at large.

There is growing evidence that the parks and recreation sector is moving back to a private sector service where leisure is a privilege rather than a right. It was noted in the Lake Louise presentations that we have often spent more time maintaining our individual sector and we have over looked the community. The question is what is the recreation sector’s strategy to adjust to changing environmental, social and economic conditions? Or is the planning just tweaking what has been done in the past?

Practitioners, both rural and urban as well as at the district level, have a significant investment at stake. As Goodale noted, while one can’t predict the future, one can influence it. The evidence to date is that the sector has had only minor influence. The provincial recreation policy is a worthwhile investment in time and effort by all who want to be involved.

However, it needs to be based on the analysis of evidence.

This has not been the experience of the past. Do Saskatchewan practitioners want to assume a leadership role or is excellence in management the primary objective? A Saskatchewan Recreation Summit might be a good place to start. ■

Murray Hidlebaugh SPRA Past President

There is a strong case to be made for moving to a more holistic approach to leisure and recreation. For example, the MARCH 2012

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AFTER SCHOOL TIME PERIOD Leading and partnering in the after school child and youth serving agenda was identified as a priority by participants at the National Recreation Summit. A framework and subsequent strategies are currently being developed

by SPRA that will assist members, partners and Saskatchewan communities in working towards eliminating some of the barriers associated with the development of the After School Time Period.

Once thought of as just a period of time, the after school hours between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. have evolved in to a movement, recognized globally as a critical time for children and youth – ‘The After School Time Period’. Many children are left alone during this time and have shown an increased tendency over the years to watch television, use the computer, or play videogames instead of playing outdoors.

Researchers also regularly report increased crime, antisocial behaviour, poor eating habits and a decrease in physical activity levels during this time. With these risk factors in mind, many public and private ventures within Federal, Provincial and Territorial organizations have consequently looked to support the development of the After School Time Period in different ways and there has been a noticeable increase in funding opportunities, discussion papers, strategies, policy and practices.

Regular participation in after school programs, in safe environments, is associated with many social, physical, psychological and emotional benefits. Increases in academic achievement, daily attendance and remarkable reductions in behaviour problems are noticed in the school setting, along with increased opportunities for self-expression, building selfconfidence and social interaction. There are also extended benefits associated with being active during this time, as research shows increased fitness levels and a reduction in obesity within participants attending after school programs compared to nonparticipants. According to the World Health Organization, young people also improve their control over symptoms of anxiety and depression, and more readily avoid the use of tobacco, alcohol and drug use, as a result of being physically active.

The Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association recognizes the benefits associated with the After School Time Period for the health and wellbeing of our communities and 10

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has been actively engaged in developing a framework and subsequent strategies that will assist our members, partners and communities in working towards eliminating some of the barriers associated with the development of the After School Time Period. Our strategies will address findings from research conducted by SPRA, both as part of Saskatchewan After School (2011) and recent fieldwork involving a series of local, provincial and national consultations, interviews and literature review relating to After School Time Period strategy, policy and programming.

Some preliminary findings suggest that there are a number of factors for consideration that may limit the development of the After School Time Period if they are not addressed.

SPRA believes that through recognition and collaboration of partners, together we have the ability for a stronger voice and support system to address some of these barriers. A summary of these factors are briefly outlined below.

Factors for Consideration Accessibility (Facility) Facility availability and accessibility will be the single biggest predictor of success for the After School Time Period. School Districts, municipalities and communities have physical buildings in every community, along with expert knowledge and resources. We must, together, address the need and benefit of a Joint Use Agreement.

Youth Engagement The challenges and successful strategies for working with older youth are diverse and the success of a program is dependent upon many variables. Providing opportunities to assist or lead activities, consulting the participants in making

decisions around programming as a means of tailoring the activities to suit their needs, and using peer relationships and friendships to engage more participants are all part of successful youth programs.

Staffing of Programs Without the provision of leaders to run the programs, we will be unable to meet the demands of our communities. The development of a volunteer network would eliminate a huge financial burden associated with the development of the ASTP and would build capacity appropriately. In addition to sourcing staff, quality training and education opportunities for leaders must be available, ensuring that we can provide exceptional programs for our children and youth, delivering a successful program that is unique and offers adaptability to accommodate all.

Funding The demand for funding is the most ‘perceived’ barrier to programming by delivery agents. Program costs are a concern and we must strive to ensure programs are accessible for all.

Currently, allocation of funding towards facilities and staff are apportioned most of the dollars within projects. By creating a framework for effective partnerships, programming and volunteer development, communities can be further educated in the reallocation of funding priorities that would provide sustainability and further opportunities for young people.

In Saskatchewan...

The findings show that many organizations are already committed to providing opportunities for young people during the After School Time Period. A mixture of, ‘sign up’ and ‘drop in’ programs are available throughout the Province and include a balance between structured and unstructured activity.

While some programs offer a more deliberate approach to programming, policy and procedures, others simply provide a safe place for young people to go.

Many programs are a means of ‘after school care’, yet some opportunities exist to take part in programs free of charge, both as after school care and as a recreation choice. Where funding is available to support Saskatchewan initiatives, funding is put towards payment of employed staff to coordinate and deliver the programs, but there is evidence of an incredible amount of reliance upon volunteers to lead and support the majority of programs. Funding for programs (where

payment is not a requirement of the participants themselves) is generally received from key stakeholders through ‘grant initiatives’. Most of the best examples of after school programming show a collaborative effort between communities, schools, municipal councils and provincial partners. The need for partners to work collectively to eliminate the barriers and concerns associated with the After School Time Period is evident and the success of the movement will be determined by how well we can work together to address the needs of our communities.

Over the last decade, leaders in the after school field have advocated the need to support and build programs for our young people. However, program coordinators wrestle with a range of questions as they try to meet the diverse needs of funders, parents and the young people they serve: Should after school time be focused on homework and extra tutoring as part of an extended curriculum? Or, be a break from school, focused on recreation, sports or culture? Should activities be supervised by experienced teachers, qualified youth workers or volunteers? Is the goal to improve academic performance, focused on fostering positive relationships with peers and adults, or simply provide an opportunity to keep kids safe and out of trouble? Regardless of the motive, it is recognized that the provision of an After School Program creates positive experiences for participants in many ways.

We should be mindful that every program will look different based on the needs of the community, however, it is important to understand the fundamental principles that have been proven to be successful within the After School Time Period.

Providing safe, fun, accessible environments delivered by trained caring leaders, and allowing for flexibility within content, will bring success.

A number of ‘priorities for action’ will be identified by SPRA in 2012 to support the After School Time Period movement in Saskatchewan. It may be detrimental to the community in the long term if, collectively we do not take action to address some of the barriers directly associated with the provision of programming for the healthy development of our young people. SPRA is excited to advocate the positive impact that the After School Time Period can play in developing healthy active communities. ■

Kelly Wood SPRA Consultant - Physical Activity Share your experiences, best practices and knowledge related to the After School Time Period in your area, by contacting Kelly Wood at (306) 778-1095, or by email at kwood@spra.sk.ca.

MARCH 2012

11

THE GIFT OF PLAY Play is a key ingredient in building healthy communities and growing healthy kids. The time is now for us, as leaders in the recreation and parks field, to work together to ensure our children receive the most important gift of all - the gift of play.

The National Recreation Summit was the beginning of a national call to action to the recreation sector, to step up to the plate and take very seriously our leadership role in building healthy communities and growing healthy kids. Speaker, Dr. John Crompton (Texas A&M University), reminded us of the important role recreation played in the health and socialization of citizens during the industrial revolution. Keynote speakers, Carl Honore and Richard Louvre, challenged us to think about the technology revolution we are experiencing now and the impact it’s having on our greatest asset – our children.

According to author and journalist Carl Honore, “In the space of a generation, the golden age of childhood has all but disappeared”. Parental fear, a shorter leash and more structure spells the end of adventure and play in childhood.

As a recreation professional educated in the early 1980’s, we were academically prepared for shorter work weeks, more leisure time, and a demand for leisure education...but something has gone drastically wrong. In our professional training we were never introduced to ideas like play dates, tracking devices, web cams, Ritalin, helicopter parents, cell phones, video games and nature deficit disorder. The research we read didn’t look anything like today’s startling statistics...

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•

Canadian kids spend 90% of their days indoors

•

41% of US kids aged 9 – 13 say they feel stressed all the time

•

The radius of play of the average 9 year old has shrunk to 1/9th of what it was in 1970

MARCH 2012

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Childhood obesity has quadrupled since 1980

•

Only 5% of kids are athletically gifted, yet the majority of our programs serve kids who are inclined toward athletic success

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70% of kids who play organized sport, drop out by age 13 citing burnout, exhaustion and the high pressure atmosphere

•

Less than 13% of Saskatchewan kids get the physical activity they need

•

World wide prescriptions for Ritalin, Attenta and Focalin have tripled since 1993

Author Richard Louv (Last Child in the Woods) said, “Within the space of a few decades, the way children understand and experience nature has radically changed. Today, kids are aware of the global threats to the environment – but their physical contact, their intimacy with nature, is fading. That’s exactly the opposite to how it was when I was a child”.

The good news is that with every crisis comes opportunity.

The National Recreation Summit has given us a first step toward taking leadership to address these challenges. While we can’t pretend that we can go back to the good old days, we are well primed for repositioning and reinventing ourselves to provide THE most important service in our communities, by giving the gift of play back to our children. ■

Cathie Kryzanowski Manager, Saskatchewan in motion

DENZIL - A COMMUNITY IN BLOOM The need to incorporate nature into our neighbourhoods, communities and facilities was identified as a priority at the 2011 National Recreation Summit. See how Denzil has used Communities in Bloom to do just that and achieve national recognition.

Communities in Bloom is a provincial and national program that recognizes community participation in projects involving beautification, heritage and environmental awareness. Participants are judged on the quality of the municipality’s green spaces, diversity and originality of its landscaping, general tidiness, environmental awareness, heritage and the level of community involvement.

involved planting flowerbeds and trees throughout the village, including on an entire lot on the main street, setting up seasonal displays and creating a walking trail in the community.

Other great projects undertaken included holding cleanup bees, contests, an annual Christmas market with heritage activities and setting up a community museum.

The community of Denzil began participating in Communities in Bloom in 2004 and in 2011, went on to win the National Communities in Bloom competition. Denzil has used Communities in Bloom to incorporate nature into their community, generate civic pride and local participation, while gaining recognition across the country.

Communities in Bloom was started in Denzil in 2004 and the main project was the “Adopt-a-Pot” program, which has continued annually. That year, at the Provincial level, Denzil received 3 blooms out of a maximum of 5. In 2005, Denzil received 4 blooms and in 2006, 5 blooms and won the Provincial title in the up to 500 population category. In 2007 and 2008, Denzil entered the National competition achieving a score of 4 blooms each year. Denzil stayed in the noncompetitive category, ‘Friends’, for the next 2 years, and then went on to enter and win the National Edition, up to 1,500 population category, in 2011.

Winning the National award has brought many compliments and more visitors to Denzil. It has given a feeling of pride and accomplishment to its residents, and encouraged its citizens to take better care of their properties and become more interested in the activities of the local CiB committee. People are proud to be associated with such a successful, vibrant community. ■

Some of the projects completed by the local Communities in Bloom committee, which added nature into the community,

Joan Kuchapski Denzil Communities in Bloom Committee MARCH 2012

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EVENTS MARCH 15 - 16, 2012

MAY 2 – 4, 2012

Parks Managers Forum

SPEA/SHEA Conference

Regina, SK

Saskatoon, SK

Park professionals from National, Provincial, Regional and

The Conference provides an opportunity for professional

Municipal park organizations are invited to participate in this

development, and the chance to discuss and collaborate

Forum. The program for the Forum will include presentations

on health and physical education issues. For additional

from Parks and Conservation professionals, group discussions

information, contact SPEA at (306) 656-4423.

on “hot topics” in the parks and conservation field displays and networking sessions. Call SPRA at (306) 780-9231 for details.

MARCH 31, 2012 Registration Deadline For Communities in Bloom

Communities in Bloom is a provincial and national program that recognizes community participation in projects involving beautification, heritage and environmental awareness.

Participants are judged on the quality of the municipality’s green spaces, diversity and originality of its landscaping, general tidiness, environmental awareness, heritage and the level of community involvement. Call SPRA at (306) 780-9262 for details.

JUNE 1 – 30, 2012 June is Recreation & Parks Month Locations across Saskatchewan Each year, recreation service providers and park authorities throughout the country utilize June to celebrate the return of summer programming, to gather their communities together, recognize volunteers, get residents involved in fun outdoor physical activities and gain support for the parks and recreation sectors. For additional information, visit www.spra.sk.ca/ juneisrecreationandparks.

JUNE 1, 2012 APRIL 2 - 5, 2012 Spring Education and Training Symposium Humboldt, SK SPRA’s Annual Spring Education and Training Symposium provides Recreation Directors, Facility Managers, Park Operators and Volunteers with practical and applicable knowledge. The Spring Education and Training Symposium offers specific education sessions to the parks and facilities sector. Call SPRA at (306) 780-9324 for details.

APRIL 27, 2012 South West District for Culture, Recreation & Sport Together is Better Symposium Swift Current, SK

SPRA Scott Irving Memorial Golf Tournament Shellbrook, SK The SPRA Scott Irving Memorial Golf Tournament will be a Texas Scramble, with teams of 4. The Tournament will include supper and a variety of great prizes! For additional information, visit www.spra.sk.ca/golf.

OCTOBER 18 - 21, 2012 SPRA Conference and Annual General Meeting Melfort, SK The 2012 SPRA Conference and AGM will bring together recreation practitioners, parks and facility operators and volunteers from across the Province to learn the latest information and trends in the parks and recreation field. For additional information, call (306) 780-9324.

As part of the Symposium, Provincial representatives from Sask Sport, SaskCulture and SPRA, along with SWDCRS, will be sharing their information, programs, services and expertise.

You will be provided with valuable information, resources and funding opportunities that can assist in your community development initiatives. Call Marian at (306) 694-1314.

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MARCH 2012

For more events, visit www.spra.sk.ca/events.

GRANTS AND FUNDING SOGO ACTIVE GRANTS

SPRA MÉTIS RECREATION DEVELOPMENT GRANT

Your group can receive from $250 - $1000 (if required) to

Application deadline: April 1, 2012

support activities for youth ages 13 - 19.

The SPRA Métis Recreation Development Grant assists Active

Challenge Grants – Apply to receive up to $500 to support

members of SPRA in developing recreation programs in their

youth physical activity programs that are ongoing (3 times a

communities. Up to a maximum of $2,000 is available to Active

week for a minimum of 4 weeks).

members of SPRA. Visit www.spra.sk.ca/funding.

Event Grants – Apply to receive up to $250 to support a onetime youth physical activity event (approximately 1 - 4 days in

COMMUNITY VITALITY PROGRAM

length). Contact Karen at (306) 780-9389 for details.

Application deadline: April 1, 2012 or October 1, 2012 Apply for a small capital project grant or a community pride

SPRA FIRST NATION MEMBER’S RECREATION GRANT Application deadline: April 1, 2012 The purpose of the SPRA First Nation Member’s Recreation Grant is to assist First Nation members to develop recreation

events and milestones grant. Contact Rhonda at rnewton@ sasksport.sk.ca.

For more grants and funding information, visit the SPRA website at www.spra.sk.ca/funding or www.spra.sk.ca/ otherfunding.

opportunities in the First Nation communities within Saskatchewan. Up to a maximum of $2,000 is available to First Nation Communities who are Active members of SPRA. Visit www. spra.sk.ca/funding.

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assessments, as well as, product solutions to reduce muscular, skeletal conditions and slip and fall injuries in the workplace. Z-tech Solutions has expert staff and access to a variety of suppliers providing; matting solutions, coatings, PVC flooring products, rubber products, and fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP). Z-tech Solutions continues to focus on keeping all working surfaces safe.

Renovations Repairs & Service Mechanical Upgrades Supplies & Equipment Maintenance

Z-tech Solutions continues to seek products that are eco-friendly or recycled material. Our products comply with Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), International Play Equipment Manufacturer's AssociationIPEMAISO 9001-2000, as well as, the Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) legislation and regulations. Z-tech services include qualified

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Publication Mail Agreement #41967532 Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: SPRA • 100 – 1445 Park Street • Regina, SK • S4N 4C5 email: office@spra.sk.ca