Markham residents ride out sidelined summer plans with outdoor 'essentials'

Resurgence in cycling among top activities for those forced to improvise camp, vacation plans due to coronavirus pandemic

Yorkregion.com
June 29, 2020
Heidi Riedner

Widespread recreational program cancellations and park restrictions throughout June sent most people into an understandable tizzy over summer break options, particularly parents searching for ways to keep their kids entertained after an already-challenging three months of pandemic closures.

Michael and Diana Bernknopf found themselves among a pack of parents competing for a few spaces in limited programs that were still running, after bookings for both their sons at Markham’s Camp Robin Hood were among the in-person camp cancellations at the beginning of June.

The couple, who live in Markham but are moving to Vaughan at the end of July, bought a six-foot outdoor blow-up dinosaur that spits out water and a water table as quick fixes for younger son Shay.

“Everyone seemed to be vying for the few options for kids,” said Michael, adding that they were happy to get Ethan signed up for one week of Pedalheads, a bicycle riding camp offering small classes.

Cycling has seen a resurgence, not only among families going stir-crazy inside their homes during the past few months, but also among fitness junkies locked out of gyms and commuters fearful of public transit.

People are definitely out riding in Markham, according to redshirted city park ambassadors out last week at various parks, including Toogood Pond Park, Milne Dam Conservation Park and Centennial Park playing fields, as part of the city’s Flatten "Your" Curve Challenge. They have been encouraging residents to stay active and submit examples for a chance to win free personal training sessions, membership time, T-shirts and water bottles.

Even if not part of the challenge, families were encouraged to hop on their bikes for a good ride through public spaces on the city's extensive trail system.

Biking has become one of the go-to activities, because it keeps families entertained while respecting physical distancing rules.

So much so, in fact, that there's been an uptick in people looking for bikes, according to Ricky Do, the manager of Evolution Cycles in Richmond Hill.

Trampolines, pools, backyard camping equipment and badminton and volleyball sets have also been flying off the shelves at stores across the region during the past few weeks, as parents have been improvising their plans.

Sales of in-line skates, for example, have shot up 300 per cent at National Sports.

“As a category, they had almost disappeared for us, and all of a sudden it became the hottest thing,” said Newmarket store manager Jeniliee Goncalves.

While sales of competitive team sports gear have nosedived, people are picking up baseballs, baseball gloves and soccer balls to have casual fun with their kids at home, the Bradford resident said.

But parents don’t have to provide a backyard carnival to keep their kids entertained as they weather the pandemic, said Stephanie Ellis, York Region District School Board’s chief of physical and occupational therapy services.

The most important consideration is finding activities that create joy and meaning while growing relationships, she told yorkregion.com, adding that the ideal would be activities that can be done outdoors or in nature as a way of promoting both physical and mental health.

As of June 26, there are more public places to play, with the opening of splash pads, outdoor basketball courts and park washrooms. Outdoor soccer, baseball and cricket fields were also reopened to sports group via permit for practice purposes.

Bernknopf said he would be open to taking his children to a splash pad, as long as it is not too crowded.

“We don’t want to go to an area where the kids are crammed in because they all want to get into the water."

City-run pop-up camp programs are offering a series of outdoor camp-like activities, beginning July 13 at 24 neighbourhood parks.

The Markham Pan Am Centre is scheduled to reopen on July 20 for lane swimming. Morgan Pool will open its doors in late July for lane swimming and aquafit sessions.

As more programs and facilities reopen, the Bernknopfs are confident the family will have a memorable summer despite having to change their plans on the fly.

“It’ll just be a very different summer than the one we originally planned," he said.

Visit markham.ca/covid19 for more information regarding programs and reopenings.