Eleventh International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

Recreational opportunities offer many benefits at both an individual and community level. In particular, participating in recreation has numerous benefits such as improved physical and mental health; reduced healthcare costs, positive choices for youth, enhanced social interactions, and the overall opportunity to enhance one’s quality of life. Municipal recreation departments are responsible for a significant portion of recreation provision in Canada and traditionally approach this responsibility from an economic perspective – offering programs and services which maintain balanced budgets. We propose approaching recreation provision from a health equity lens as an alternative that emphasizes the health and well-being of community members over the economic stability of the department. In Ontario, Canada during COVID-19, municipal recreation departments operated at significantly reduced capacities due to mandated facility closures for extended periods in accordance with Public Health Measures. As public health restrictions began lifting, municipal recreation departments resumed operation at varying levels and speeds. Factors such as departmental capacity, political support, financial resources and values influenced municipalities and their re-opening plans. Drawing upon a data-based vignettes approach, which identifies key exemplars, policy recommendations for how and why the municipal recreation sector might adopt a health equity lens to critically reframe community services are shared.