Youth Friendly Communities

Is your community one which makes an investment in youth play? If so, then you will want to submit to the 2010 Youth Friendly Community Recognition Program. The Program works to acknowledge the great work that some communities are doing in ensuring their youth (ages 13 - 19) have continuous access to a diversity of 'play' (play being anything a young person does in his/her free time which could include: sport, recreation, drama, dance, music, the arts, volunteerism, leadership development, service leadership and/or civic engagement).

The deadline for application is Wednesday, December 1, 2010. To begin your process please download the 2010 Youth Friendly Communities application form.

For special information about where Youth Friendly Communities are in the province, what Mentors you can call to help you answering questions on the application process, or examples of youth friendly criteria - find out how to start working on your 2010 community application.

The 2010 Youth Friendly Community Recognition Program is designed to encourage investment in active and engaged youth in Ontario.

Learn more about the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Spark Together for Healthy Kids.

A Youth Friendly Communities Update - 2010

Play Works is pleased to welcome the following recipients of the 2008 Youth Friendly Community Recognition Program. The number of Youth Friendly Communities now totals 32 from across Ontario!

• City of Barrie – Bronze Community Builder
• Town of Blind River – Bronze Community Builder
• Town of Halton Hills – Silver Community Builder
• Town of Oakville – Bronze Community Builder
• Town of Markham – Gold Community Builder
• City of Windsor – Gold Community Builder

These communities will be formally recognized by the Honourable Margarett Best, Minister of Health Promotion, in the near future.

A Youth Friendly Communities Update – May 2010

Play Works is pleased to welcome the following communities into the select group of communities that have received Youth Friendly Community Recognition status for 2008.

The Ceremony to present these communities with their recognition was hosted by the Honourable Margarett Best, Minister of Health Promotion at Queen's Park on Tuesday, October 27, 2009.

2008 Youth Friendly Community Mayors, Councilors and Community Representatives at the Recognition Ceremony with the Honourable Margarett Best, Minister of Health Promotion. 

Play Works began recognizing Youth Friendly communities in 2005 and, since that time, 37 communities in Ontario have received recognition. The following communities have received the Youth Friendly designation: 

• City of Barrie
• City of Brampton
• City of Burlington
• City of Cambridge
• City of Hamilton
• City of London
• City of Peterborough
• City of Pickering
• City of Sault Ste. Marie
• City of Greater Sudbury
• City of Thunder Bay
• City of Vaughan
• City of Welland
• City of Windsor
• The Community of Lawrence Heights(Toronto)
• Municipality of Chatham-Kent
• Municipality of Port Hope
• Municipality of South Huron
• Town of Ajax
• Town of Aurora
• Town of Blind River
• Town of Caledon
• Town of Halton Hills
• Town of Hanover
• Town of Ingersoll
• Town of Markham
• Town of Milton
• Town of Newmarket
• Town of Oakville
• Town of Richmond Hill
• Town of Whitby
• Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville
• County of Brant
• Township of Brooke-Alvinston
• Township of Rideau Lakes
• Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve No. 26
• Canadian Forces Base Petawawa

Download a copy of the 2008 recipient brochure, a brochure sent to every Mayor/Reeve and/or Warden in Ontario.

Download a copy of the 2007 recipient brochure.

Download a copy of the 2006 recipient brochure.

Download a copy of the 2005 recipient brochure.