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MUNICIPALITY OF THE DISTRICT OF SHELBURNE
Policy Statement
AFFORDABLE ACCESS TO RECREATION POLICY
1. POLICY VISION STATEMENT
The Municipality of the District of Shelburne recognizes the many benefits of participating in recreation
opportunities and promotes the full participation of all District of Shelburne residents in recreation programs,
services and facilities, regardless of financial circumstances. Programs, services and facilities will be planned,
delivered and evaluated to ensure they are affordable, inclusive and responsive to needs and interests.
Everyone is engaged in meaningful, accessible recreation experiences that foster:
1.1 Individual Wellbeing: Individuals will have optimal mental and physical wellbeing and be engaged
and contributing members of their families and communities.
1.2 Community Wellbeing: Communities are healthy, inclusive, welcoming, resilient and sustainable
1.3 Wellbeing of Places and Spaces: Natural and built environments are appreciated, nurtured and
sustained. e.g. Stewardship of Beaches
2. RATIONALE
2.1 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. Investments in the development of
people through recreation are essential to creating healthy individuals and communities.
2.2 The MBM (Market Basket Measure) is a measure of the disposable income a family would need to
purchase goods to cover basic needs -- food, clothing, shelter, transportation, etc. MBM rates for our local
municipal census subdivisions are not available, however, with nearly 45% of household incomes less
than $40,000, following MBM Guidelines would suggest that many Shelburne County families are
potentially in strained circumstances and have difficulty meeting their basic needs. Many residents
depend on seasonal employment and jobs at minimum wage. Across Canada there is an increase in
precarious employment, ie, a shift from full time permanent jobs to more temporary or part time jobs
with irregular hours, low wages or few if any benefits. Income levels of Shelburne County residents are
lower than the average incomes across the province.
2.3 Low income residents, individuals and families, experience barriers to participation that include lack of
awareness or information about local opportunities for recreation, physical activity and sport. Additional
barriers include: literacy, mental health restrictions, registration fees, transportation, cost of equipment; clothing
eg uniforms.
2.4 Documented research from the health, crime prevention, sport/recreation and social services sectors
indicates that recreation participation enables the following:
- Develop skills and competencies;
- Be exposed to program leaders and positive adult role models;
- Achieve better physical and mental health;
- Develop psychosocial skills;
- Improve self-esteem, academic performance, peer and family relationships;
- Acquire pro-social values and develop life skills such as leadership, decision-making and problem
solving;
- Form healthy habits that can be transferred into their adult lives;
- Participate, volunteer and take pride in their community; and
- Have fun and be with friends.
2.5 Research has shown that an investment in a preventative health model that includes recreation has
significant economic returns. It is better to be proactive than have to be reactive
2.6 Nova Scotia Priority 2.1 of the Shared Strategy for Advancing Recreation in Nova Scotia states that
constraints to participation in recreation experiences for all children and youth are eliminated.
3. SCOPE
This policy details the means used to ensure that the recreation and parks programs, services, and facilities
delivered by the Municipality of the District of Shelburne Recreation & Parks Department are affordable for
participants.
4. POLICY OBJECTIVES
4.1 Increase the number of FREE community recreation opportunities thus reducing the financial barrier to
participation.
4.2 Increase inclusion and access to recreation for populations that face constraints to participation, ie
implement targeted outreach.
4.3 Increase participation of families and individuals in recreation programs by promoting the benefits of
recreation for physical and mental health, social inclusion, and constructive use of leisure time.
5. POLICY ACTIONS:
Note: Some of these actions are already in practice and some are for future consideration.
5.1 Provide reduced rates for families with 3 or more children.
5.2 Provide access to funding support for recreation sport, and cultural opportunities for children and youth ages
4 - 18 in Shelburne County by administering the Kids Fair Play FUNd
5.3 Coordinate access to funding support from N.S. Kidsport
5.4 Coordinate access to funding support from Canadian Tire Jumpstart through the co-branded Kids ' Fair Play
FUNd and Canadian Tire Jumpstart to provide funding support for children and youth in Shelburne County
for registration, equipment, and transportation
5.5 Kids Fair Play FUNd will partner with Canadian Tire Jumpstart to provide community programs at low or
no cost
5.6 Coordinate and provide funding for the Free of Cost Ice Time Program at the Shelburne County Arena
5.7 Provide reduced fee or no fee programs.
5.8 Provide low cost programs through Community Use at SRHS eg $2 Drop In sports programs and the
Fitness Center; First Time Free "Try It" philosophy; rental fees are charged on a cost recovery basis
5.9 Promote use of Municipal Facilities: Welkum Park; Seven District Interpretive Sites; Tom Tigney Trail;
Jordan River Trail; Roseway River Trail; Footbridge Trail; Albert Acker Memorial Field.
5.10
Facilitate access to recreation equipment (loan or rental).
5.11
Recruit and encourage parents to volunteer to be involved in the organization and delivery of their
children's recreation activities thus keeping the registration fees low. eg Active Start Soccer; Active Start
Basketball, etc. As an incentive to volunteer registration fees will be waived for families that have a member
volunteer to assist with the organizing or delivery of a program.
5.12
Coordinate a sport, recreation, and cultural equipment exchange program.
5.13
Encourage partnerships with community recreation providers that encourage and ensure "Recreation for
All" in cooperation with agencies that support low-income families in Shelburne County. Eg share skilled,
trained leadership and other resources
5.14
Promote and encourage free outdoor unstructured play, as this is available to all at no cost.
5.15
Include questions on community surveys and program evaluations about affordability and access.
5.16
Compile a list of low or no cost recreation opportunities available to Municipality of Shelburne
residents and share the list to promote the opportunities and benefits to target populations.
5.17
Include a budgeted commitment for targeted outreach programs and needs.
5.18
Offer multigenerational programming to increase or share the ability to pay.
5.19
Explore the need to set up a sustainable Recreation for ALL FUNd to include financially disadvantaged
adults.
5.20
Explore providing more FREE opportunities for children and youth targeting swimming, biking, and
skating activities.
5.21
Explore assigning family recreation funds annually for Municipality of Shelburne programs, services
and facilities using an application process with approvals based on income levels. An example of this type
of program currently operating in the greater Toronto area is called "Welcome Funds".
5.22
Provide Leisure Education professional development for Recreation Staff
5.23
Recreation Staff will develop and deliver a Leisure Education program that will raise the awareness of
the value of recreation and leisure for individuals of all ages and families as well as the opportunities that
are or could be available to them.
6. ACCOUNTABILITY
The Director of Recreation and Parks is responsible for reviewing and reporting annually on the progress of the
implementation of the Policy.
7. DEFINITIONS
7.1 Recreation - The experience that results from freely-chosen participation in physical, social, intellectual,
creative and spiritual pursuits that enhance individual and community wellbeing.
Recreation experiences include participation in physical activity and sport, and in artistic, cultural, social and
intellectual activities. Spiritual wellbeing may be enhanced through connecting with nature, helping others
through volunteering, engaging in artistic expression and other forms of recreational experiences. Recreational
activities can be structured and unstructured. Many are done with other people while others are done alone.
7.2 Recreation program - Activities of a recreation, sport, art, or cultural nature that may be self-directed or
instructional, providing skill development in a particular leisure pursuit.
7.3 Targeted Outreach Programs - Refers to specialized programs designed for a specific audience and/or
geographic community in order to help engage residents or as a component of a broader community initiative eg
After the Bell for Girls grades 7 - 12; Isolated Seniors; Recreation 4 Mental Health Programs; Kids Fair Play
FUNd, etc
7.4 User Fees - A sum of money paid by the individual who chooses to access a service or facility. The
individual pays directly for something they want and receive what they have paid for.
Clerk's Annotation For Official Policy Book
Date of Notice to Council members of Intent to Consider
(7 days minimum): December 14, 2015
Date of Passage of Policy: December 21, 2015
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Municipal Clerk
Date