Who we are…. Recreation & Parks Association of New Brunswick Mission Statement: The Recreation and Parks Association of New Brunswick is committed to providing interaction and education to the recreation industry of New Brunswick for the advancement of leisure opportunities. In doing so we value inclusion, volunteerism, and excellence.

Parks & Recreation can… Parks & Recreation can… Contribute to a….. better place to live work raise our families

Did you know….. Recreation has a major impact on Personal & Family wellness Community wellness Environmental wellness Economic wellness

Personal & Family Wellness Recreation and active living are Essential to Personal Health… –Physical recreation significantly reduces the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. –Recreation and fitness combats osteoporosis, and diabetes. –Recreation and active living has been shown to help prevent site-specific cancers.

Facts - Personal & Family Significant studies on physical activity show a strong inverse gradient with cardiovascular disease and physical activity and fitness. (Blair, 1994) Physical activity reduces the risk of all- cause death as well as the number one killer, coronary heart disease. (CFLRI, 1995)

Current research indicates that co-participation in leisure activities is positively related to: family satisfaction family interaction family stability. Facts - Personal & Family

Community Wellness Parks and Recreation builds strong self- sufficient communities… –Enhancing quality of community life –Integration and harmony –Important public service –Investment in our youth –Investment in our older adult population.

In a study looking at the social impact of community festivals, results showed there are major social benefits from community festivals, they: establish community pride enhance social interaction provide an opportunity for togetherness facilitate community identity and community wellness. Facts – Community Wellness

The amount of time that volunteers work in sports, fitness, and recreation is worth half a billion dollars annually. This is the same as 22,500 people working full-time forty hour weeks for a year.

Facts – Community Wellness Parks and Recreation reduces self- destructive behavior in youth… –High quality sport programs in public housing locations could significantly reduce the incidence of behavioral and emotional disorders in children and youth. (Offerd et al., 1989)

Environmental Wellness Parks and open spaces are essential to ecological survival... –Trails provides alternatives more active modes of transportation which decreases parking and traffic problems. –The development of parks and green spaces guaranties NBer’s an opportunity to participate in outdoor activities.

Economic Wellness Parks & recreation are significant economic generators in your community! –Prevention - health and vandalism –Hosting of major events –Productive workforce –Tourism –Attracts business and industry.

Facts - Economic Wellness Saint John Master’s National Swim Championships/ visitor expenditures $576,239. Adventure travel generated $165.1 million in direct tourism revenue in Canada in 1993.

Facts - Economic Wellness Volunteering in Canada contributes more to the economy than mines, and forestry, utilities and communications - around $12 billion a year. (Cohen et al., 1993) Pay Now or Pay Later..Recreation reduces healthcare, social service and police/justice costs!

Recreation and Parks... A vital link to personal, family, community, economic and environmental wellness in New Brunswick! An essential piece of a Provincial Wellness Strategy puzzle!

A. Examine the provincial unconditional grant formula and potential effect on municipal recreation and parks services. B.Consider a benefits driven community services model. C.Provide incentives for individuals, community and private sector wellness ‘champions’. D.Ensure that the Recreation & Parks Association of New Brunswick is a key member of any strategic alliances created for the advancement of wellness in our province. Recommendations: