Time to Play Outside! – Petrolia Introduces Parks Passport
Petrolia – Petrolia is challenging families to get out and visit the local parks, where youth can complete a passport to get a prize!
After two years of decreased recreation, the Community Services Department at the Town of Petrolia thought of a creative way to encourage physical activity and to promote drawing and writing skills in young people. The idea of the Parks Passport takes families on a journey to each park in Petrolia and asks questions about what they find, and sometimes asks them to get creative and submit a drawing of what they see. The prize? Well, that’s a secret, but each youth participant that returns a passport will receive one!
“Recreation is an important aspect for a healthy lifestyle, and for young people it is an excellent outlet for stored energy, and to teach the value of physical activity. We looked at this Parks Passport as a creative way to encourage families to “stay outside until the streetlights come on” like we did when we were growing up, and to experience outdoor play in our many parks.” Said Dave Menzies, Director of Facilities and Community Services. He added that, “…the prizes are just for youth, but the benefits for a family completing the passport together are many.”
Petrolia is known for the abundance of green space available for recreation and for passive enjoyment. Several community groups, most notably, Parents for Parks, have fundraised a complete replacement and development of a new playground in Greenwood Park that will come to fruition for families to enjoy this summer. A volunteer committee has been working with staff on the re-development of the Bridgeview Trail System, and recently a wetlands area has been added to Bridgeview Park South. Memorial benches are celebrated throughout the community and provide a nice place to stop and enjoy nature. Staff continue to work with community groups on the development of a splash pad, dog park and more, and as these details are finalized plans will be shared.
The Parks Passport will be available for families to pick up at the Petrolia Municipal Office from Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and starting Saturday, May 21 at the Petrolia Farmers’ Market (396 Fletcher Street) every Saturday from 7:30 a.m. until noon. Completed Passports are asked to be returned to the Petrolia Municipal Office, where it will be exchanged for a prize.
