'We only have until November. Then what?' Georgina resumes recreation programs outside

Georgina offering a collection of outdoor recreation programs with new COVID-19 protocols

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 8, 2020
Amanda Persico

Even during a global pandemic, the town is committed to providing programs to promote healthy active lifestyles.

Recently, Georgina has started to offer recreation programs for residents with a COVID-19 twist.

Programs initially run indoors at town facilities are now being conducted outside, where space is plentiful.

The town is offering programs such as youth archery, yoga, cardio bootcamp and tie-die classes for kids.

The collection of alternative recreation programming was designed to keep residents active and safe, said the town’s recreation services manager Patti White.

“This is a new way of doing business,” White said. “Recreation is so important. And it means something different to everyone. It could be a means to manage stress, improve your lifestyle or learn new skill.”

But there are a number of COVID-19 safety measures in place -- grass markings to ensure physical distancing during programs and pre-registration is required to ensure limited, small gatherings.

“We did a lot of research to ensure we could manage these programs with safety being our no.1 priority,” White said. “We’re very cautious. We want to get everything right.”

Other municipalities are also starting to reopen recreation programs -- Newmarket moved its fitness equipment to an ice pad; Aurora reopened its pool facilities for limited summer swim programs; and Markham is offering live virtual fitness classes.

And residents are eager to get out and get active and felt comfortable doing so, as the first programs were sold out.

Recreation programs could not have come at a better time, as kids are gearing up for going back to school -- albeit school is going to look differently.

“A lot of these kids are rural and have been home since March with no social interactions” said Beverly Hartford, who registered her granddaughter for an outdoor tie-dye class in Pefferlaw.

“We’re a big believer in recreation programs. And Georgina figured it out.”

Picnic tables were spaced throughout the park and instructors were wearing masks, making parents and participants comfortable, Hartford added.

And seeing how the town managed to open its beaches while limiting capacity, is a testament “residents can trust the town to look after our safety,” Hartford said.

As a senior, she’s waiting for the town to introduce more senior-friendly outdoor programs, such as chair yoga.

The town is looking at expanding the number of programs and extending the alternative outdoor programming into fall, White said.

“It’s great now, but we only have until November. Then what?” Hartford said.

The town’s pop-up programs are offered at various parks throughout the town and for a nominal fee per session.

The instructor-led programs offer the flexibility of drop-in programs, giving residents the opportunity to test their own comfort levels and to try different programs without being committed.

But the programs are offered with limited capacity and pre-registration is required.

Earlier in the spring, the town launched its Recreation at Home web page, with a collection of programs for families to do at home. The online assortment of programs included arts and crafts activities, fitness regiments, gardening how-tos, water safety and family-friendly games. 

Then, the town’s recreation department launched its Suitcase of Summer, a box chock full of summertime activities complete with detailed instructions and supplies.

“It’s a camp in a box,” White said.

The Suitcase of Summer sold out fast. And in the end the town sold more than 150 suitcases.

The program was so successful, the town is looking at launching a similar ‘in-a-box’ program for Halloween, White said.

For more information on the town’s outdoor pop-up programs, visit georgina.ca