Active Communities to help Vancouver achieve fitness goals by 2010

October 6, 2006 (No. 72) - Councillor Heather Deal joined Park Board Chair Heather Holden today to launch the Active Communities Vancouver program and honour Vancouverite Colin Angus who this year completed a self-propelled trip around the world.

Active Communities is the City's commitment led by the Park Board to help achieve the Provincial goal to increase physical activity among citizens "20% by 2010". The City of Vancouver was the first municipality in BC to accept the Premier's challenge.

"One of the outcomes of this initiative will be to make Vancouver one of the healthiest municipalities to ever host an Olympic and Paralympic Games, while ensuring a long-term sustainable legacy that benefits all Vancouverites. It fits with our goal of taking small steps to make Vancouver the cleanest, greenest, healthiest city in the world," said Councillor Deal.

Increasing activity not only increases physical benefits, but also provides psychological and social benefits, reduces stress and increases life expectancy.

"Parks and recreation and other civic amenities help make Vancouver one of the best places in the world to live. With Active Communities we want to inspire and encourage residents to get active by communicating the opportunities available, reducing barriers to participation and developing new programs," said Park Board Chair Heather Holden. New initiatives include:

•  "Step Out" walks highlighting popular park and city trails and walks;
•  "Fitness and Adventure" Passports providing fitness opportunities for children;
•  "Athletes in Vancouver" grants creating partnerships with elite athletes;
•  Annual Special Events Calendar highlighting local fitness opportunities; and
•  Active Communities web site at vancouverparks.ca detailing more information.

"It's so crucial for kids to start at an early age with their parents getting out of cars and into more active ways of getting around. Explore a park, ride your bike to school - it all makes a difference for fitness and for the environment," said Colin Angus.

The Active Communities launch at the city's landmark Inukshuk was celebrated by a grade 4 class from Elsie Roy Elementary School, one of ten pilot schools involved in the City of Vancouver's One Day, One School program, which provides such supports as bicycle safety training to encourage active trips to school.

For more information: Catherine Clement, City of Vancouver, 604-873-7270.
Joyce Courtney, Vancouver Park Board, 604-257-8699.
www.vancouverparks.ca

The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation maintains 200 parks and 40 major facilities throughout the City of Vancouver. The Park Board's mission is to provide, preserve and advocate for parks and recreation services to benefit people, communities and the environment.

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