Through community partnerships with City of Spruce Grove, Parkland County, Strathcona County, and Town of Stony Plain, this study evaluated the implementation of Phase One of Strathcona County’s Open Spaces and Recreation Facility Strategy (OSFRS). The OSRFS will guide the (re)development of recreation facilities and open spaces to meet community needs from 2009-2023. In the first phase (2009-2013) Strathcona County invested $40 million to revitalize existing indoor recreation facilities and outdoor spaces.
In this project, barriers to accessing recreation facilities and open spaces by users and non-users were examined using a mixed-methods design. This data was compared to facility users and non-users of a community similar in size and facility profile (City of Spruce Grove/Town of Stony Plain/Parkland County — referred to as Tri-Municipal Region).
What are some key recommendations for communities looking to do something similar?
- Advertise: Let people know about your new facility
- Keep it clean: Regular maintenance and cleanliness is very important to participants
- Reasonable costs: Keeping costs low means more community member can participate
- Make it age-appropriate: Provide programs for youth and seniors to encourage these community members to come out
- Dr. Candace Nykiforuk, School of Public Health, University of Alberta (Principal Investigator)
- Dr. Tanya Berry, Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta (Co-Investigator)
- Dr. Helen Vallianatos, Department of Anthropology, University of Alberta (Co-Investigator)
- Strathcona County Recreation, Parks and Culture
- City of Spruce Grove
- Parkland County
- Town of Stony Plain
- Tink L., Peers, D., Nykiforuk, C.I.J., & Kingsley, B. (2020). Moving beyond ideology: contemporary recreation and the neoliberal discourses of new public health. Leisure Studies Epub 2020 June 8. https://doi.org/10.1080/02614367.2020.1778772
- Nykiforuk, C.I.J., Berry, T., Vallianatos, H., Nieuwendyk, L., Belon, A., McGetrick, J.A., & Campbell, E. (May 2015). Exploring the Impact of Community Investment in Recreation Spaces on Health Equity and Physical Activity. Alberta Centre for Active Living Research Update, 22:3. Available at: https://www.centre4activeliving.ca/news/2015/05/recreation-spaces-health-equity-physical-activity/
- Nykiforuk, C.I.J., Vallianatos, H., Berry, T., Nieuwendyk, L., Belon, A., & McGetrick, J.A. (2014). Understanding community investment in recreation spaces: Follow-up findings from focus groups in the City of Spruce Grove, Town of Stony Plain, and Parkland County (fall 2013). Edmonton, AB: School of Public Health, University of Alberta.
- Nykiforuk, C.I.J., Vallianatos, H., Berry, T., Nieuwendyk, L., Belon, A., & McGetrick, J.A. (2014). Understanding community investment in recreation spaces: Follow-up findings from Strathcona County focus groups (fall 2013). Edmonton, AB: School of Public Health, University of Alberta.
- Nykiforuk, C.I.J., Berry, T., Vallianatos, H., Nieuwendyk, L.M., Belon, A., & McGetrick, J.A. (2014). Telephone survey comparison: Changing use of recreation facilities and spaces in Strathcona County and the Tri-Municipal Region (City of Spruce Grove, Parkland County and the Town of Stony Plain). Edmonton, AB: School of Public Health, University of Alberta.
- Nykiforuk, C.I.J., Berry, T., Vallianatos, H., Nieuwendyk, L.M., Belon, A., & McGetrick, J.A. (2014). Understanding community investment in recreation spaces: Strathcona County follow-up survey results (longitudinal). Edmonton, AB: School of Public Health, University of Alberta.
- Nykiforuk, C.I.J., Berry, T., Vallianatos, H., Nieuwendyk, L.M., Belon, A., & McGetrick, J.A. (2014). Understanding community investment in recreation spaces: City of Spruce Grove, Parkland County and Town of Stony Plain (Tri-Municipal Region) follow-up survey results (longitudinal). Edmonton, AB: School of Public Health, University of Alberta.
- Nykiforuk, C.I.J., Berry, T., Vallianatos, H., Nieuwendyk, L.M., Belon, A., & McGetrick, J.A. (2014). Understanding community investment in recreation spaces: Strathcona County follow-up survey results (general). Edmonton, AB: School of Public Health, University of Alberta.
- Nykiforuk, C.I.J., Berry, T., Vallianatos, H., Nieuwendyk, L.M., Belon, A., & McGetrick, J.A. (2014). Understanding community investment in recreation spaces: City of Spruce Grove, Parkland County and Town of Stony Plain follow-up survey results (general). Edmonton, AB: School of Public Health, University of Alberta.
- Nykiforuk, C.I.J., Vallianatos, H., Berry, T., Nieuwendyk, L., Somerville, C., Montemurro, G., & McLeod, N. (2012). Understanding community investment in recreation spaces: Baseline findings from focus groups in the City of Spruce Grove, Town of Stony Plain, and Parkland County (fall 2011). Edmonton, AB: School of Public Health, University of Alberta.
- Nykiforuk, C.I.J., Vallianatos, H., Berry, T., Nieuwendyk, L., Somerville, C., Montemurro, G., & McLeod, N. (2012). Understanding community investment in recreation spaces: Baseline findings from Strathcona County focus groups (fall 2011). Edmonton, AB: School of Public Health, University of Alberta.
- Nykiforuk, C.I.J., Berry, T., Vallianatos, H., & Nieuwendyk, L.M. (2012). Understanding community investment in recreation spaces: Strathcona County baseline survey results (general). Edmonton, AB: School of Public Health, University of Alberta.
- Nykiforuk, C.I.J., Berry, T., Vallianatos, H., & Nieuwendyk, L.M. (2012). Understanding community investment in recreation spaces: City of Spruce Grove, Parkland County, and Town of Stony Plain baseline survey results (general). Edmonton, AB: School of Public Health, University of Alberta.
- Nykiforuk, C. & Nieuwendyk, L. (August 2011). Council Briefing Note: ‘Understanding community investment in recreation spaces’ project. Submitted to the respective municipal councils of Town of Stony Plain, City of Spruce Grove, Parkland County, and Strathcona County.
- Half of Albertans not getting enough exercise- University to conduct research on the benefits of recreational space, August 11, 2011. The Stony Plain Reporter.
- 2011-2013 Canadian Institutes of Health Research: Operating Grant – Population Health Intervention Research
- 2011-2013 Strathcona County Recreation, Parks and Culture
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