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Policy Practice Research

Health, Wellbeing & Development

Registration for Healthy Parks, Healthy People has just opened. The 2019 Healthy Parks Healthy People Forum will bring together parks and recreation professionals, health professionals, researchers, policy-makers, academics, students, trainees and community members to share the latest research, best practices, and progressive policies related to the human health and well-being benefits of nature. This includes both direct contact with nature...

08 February, 2019

The Power of Play documentary is now out! Watch unusual inter-species animals play and communicate, as top play scientists examine the root and importance of play among humans and animals....

31 January, 2019

“In a recent survey, Kamik found that nowadays, children participate in over 5-6 structured activities per week. Hence, there is hardly ever any time left to play freely, outside. In fact, children spend 30-35% less time playing outside than their parents did.” Structured activities, such as soccer practice, swim lessons and dance class can be a...

16 January, 2019

On January 20th, 2019 at 8pm, The Nature of Things will be releasing a documentary called The Power of Play. In addition to talking about the importance of play in children, the documentary touches on play in mammals, amphibians, reptiles and even insects! We know humans and pets love to play, but it is interesting to watch some unusual...

08 January, 2019

There are many evidence-based benefits of outdoor play in children and youth including increased energy expenditure, the development of motor skills, improved social relationshiops (e.g., ability to develop and sustain friendships) and emotional well-being (e.g., increased happiness). Very little is known, however, about the relationship between outdoor play and eating habits. A recently published study in the Journal...

03 January, 2019

How do you use parks? Why are they important to you? Parks for All is a collaborated effort led by Canadian Parks Council and Canadian Parks and Recreation Association and encourages individuals to recognize how we all benefit from access to healthy parks, green space and natural areas. Our mutual connection with nature in turn connects all...

28 November, 2018

PLAY LOOKS LIKE.     PLAY SOUNDS LIKE.       PLAY FEELS LIKE. Collective Impact has been lauded as a way to demonstrate how many organizations focused on common outcomes can  make big differences. In 2017 the City of Calgary and 36 organizations came together to create a play charter. Calgary’s Play Charter is intended to be a...

22 November, 2018

Happy Take Me Outside Day! This day is a reminder to get outside. Unplug. Be active. Connect with nature. Play in the fresh air. Believe it or not, Canadian youth are spending nearly 8 hours a day in front of screens and as a result outdoor time is dwindling. This lack of outdoor time is impacting our health...

24 October, 2018

Children’s mental health, involving their emotional, psychological, and social well-being, is an important factor influencing children’s development of a sense of identity, positive self-esteem, healthy peer and family relationships, and stress coping mechanisms. Mental health issues therefore have the potential to prevent children from reaching developmental and social milestones, and persist into adulthood. Mental health issues are...

17 October, 2018

From May 8-10, 2018, the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association hosted The Gathering Strength: Framework for Recreation in Canada 2018 Forum, to build relationships, continue dialog and work in cooperation towards achieving the values, goals, and priorities identified in the 2015 A Framework for Recreation in Canada – Pathways to Wellbeing. Forum sessions focused on...

08 May, 2018
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