East Gwillimbury families look to play outside this summer

Recreational activities, equipment in high demand this summer

Yorkregion.com
July 3, 2020
Simon Martin and Lisa Queen

What are you doing this summer to the kids entertained? Parents in every locale are scrambling to find ways to keep their kids busy on off the screens. In East Gwillimbury, the Rail Yard Wake and Aqua Park is welcome fresh air for those who have been cooped up for months.

Owner Christine Benns said she has seen more families coming since they opened June 1st than normal years. “We have had quite a few parents bringing out their kids for lessons. They have sitting around,” she said.

While the Aqua Park hasn’t got the go ahead for opening as of yet the cable parkis operating as well as kayak and stand-paddle board. Benns said they had to significantly alter their summer camp program due to COVID-19 but it is still moving ahead.

The pandemic has thrown a wrench into the business finances especially because they haven’t been able to open the aqua park. Maybe the provincial government will give them the go ahead in the coming weeks but it remains uncertain. “I don’t know what the summer will bring,” she said.

Wake-boarding is fun sport to try out and the park has offers rental equipment and lessons for those itching to learn. “We have had children as young as five and we also have customer who is 67 years old who comes every week,” she said.

Down Queensville Sideroad in River Drive Park , Kelly Gervais from Riversports Recreation said families want to get out on the water. “More people are boating because it’s a family thing,” she said.  Seadoos dealers are all sold out. That anecdote is similar to what is happening elsewhere.

York Region stores are seeing items that keep families entertained while respecting physical distancing rules such as trampolines, pools and backyard camping equipment, flying off the shelves.

Sales of Inline skates have shot up 300 per cent at National Sports in Newmarket.

“Inline skates, as a category, had almost disappeared for us and all of a sudden, it became the hottest thing,” said manager Jeniliee Goncalves said.

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.

Another hot item is backyard summer games such as badminton and volleyball sets.

“They are trying to get creative,” Goncalves said.

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

The most important consideration is finding activities that create joy and meaning while growing relationships, she said.

Ideally, some activities can be done outdoors or in nature as a way of  promoting both physical and mental health, Ellis said.

“We really hope that families can find an activity or activities that work for them this summer. And that there is some opportunity for them to take a break,” she said.

“It’s been a really long period and families, I think, have been incredibly resilient and adaptive and innovative with the way they’ve managed this but I do hope people can find some joy and calm and fun with their kids over the summer.