More Communities are recognized as "Youth Friendly" in Ontario

For Immediate Release

Toronto, May 27, 2008 - Play Works, an independent group of organizations committed to helping youth by encouraging and promoting a greater investment in youth play will honour the 2007 recipients of the “Play Works Youth Friendly Community Recognition Program” at a reception at Queen’s Park on June 2, 2008.  This year’s recipients, the Cities of Brampton and Welland, the Municipality of Port Hope, and the Towns of Caledon and Whitchurch-Stouffville, have all been recognized for their outstanding commitment to providing adolescent youth with opportunities to play, participate in and contribute to their communities.  Play Works is also pleased to announce that the Honourable Margarett Best, Minister of Health Promotion, will host the reception and present the plaques to elected officials, youth and local staff representing the deserving communities.

The Youth Friendly Community Recognition Program celebrates communities that are taking steps to open their doors to youth by reinvesting in youth play. The rigorous selection process required communities to meet at least ten of sixteen youth friendly criteria including providing opportunities for play, youth engagement, accessible programs and opportunities for youth activism. 

Now in its third year, the Youth Friendly Community Recognition Program is renowned as a valuable tool that will increase youth engagement in neighbourhoods, towns and cities.  From Thunder Bay, to Manatoulin Island and from Burlington to Peterborough, 25 communities have been recognized to date – and many of the communities apply in successive years in order to measure their increasing investment in youth programs. 

Brampton is one of those communities that chose to participate for two years in order to reevaluate their youth programs and services through the recognition program.   Brampton Mayor Susan Fennell says, "According to Statistics Canada, the City of Brampton is the youngest community in the Greater Toronto Area and in most of Canada. To be recognized by Play Works as a Youth Friendly Community is especially rewarding.”  She continues, “In response to our diverse community, we offer numerous opportunities to engage our youth in activities and programs such as Clean City Youth Ambassadors, Leadership Development Programs and even helping the City in designing our new skate park. All of these programs are designed to help develop important life skills. After all, the future belongs to our youth and the success of our economy and community will depend on them. By investing in our youth, we are investing in our future."

“Play is arguably the most important activity through which youth learn how to interact socially and develop life skills such as leadership, decision-making and problem solving,” says Jennifer Cowie Bonne, Play Works Chair. “When communities make youth play a priority, they are creating a healthier, friendlier and stronger community for everyone.”  Cowie Bonne adds, “It may be a cliché, but youth do grow up quickly.  And I encourage all Ontario communities to participate in the Youth Friendly Community Recognition Program in 2008 in order to make sure that all youth benefit from the best opportunities possible, as soon as possible.”

In addition to presenting these awards, Play Works will also be releasing its newest research on ways to invest in youth programming. The ‘Do It Yourself’ Final Report will be presented to all in attendance, as will the application form for the 2008 Youth Friendly Community Recognition Program.

Play Works is a group of organizations that are concerned about the future of our youth and that have joined forces to bring back the power of play to Ontario’s young people. To learn more about Play Works, the Youth Friendly Community Recognition Program, The Cost of Excluding Ontario’s Youth From Play report, and the ‘Do It Yourself’ program, a one-time initiative to help fund youth organized activities, please visit www.playworkspartnership.ca.  The Play Works Partners are: 4-H Ontario, Arts Network for Children and Youth, Boys and Girls Clubs of Ontario, Educational Research, Laidlaw Foundation, Ontario Physical and Health Education Association, Ontario Young People’s Alliance, SportAlliance of Ontario, Parks and Recreation Ontario, YMCA Ontario and Youth.

Play Works acknowledges and appreciates the support from The Laidlaw Foundation, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, and the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion.

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Media Contact: Diane English, Communications Officer,
Parks and Recreation Ontario
phone : 416-426-7306 cell : 416-779-8670
denglish@prontario.org