Thunder Bay has officially been recognized as a Youth Friendly Designated City.  The City of Thunder Bay’s Recreation and Culture Division put forth an application based on the work that has been achieve in the area over the past several years. The successful designation recognizes the outstanding commitment to promoting youth engagement in meaningful and ongoing ways in many facets of community life. 

“We are currently recognized as a Youth Friendly Designated City - Bronze Level,” said Donna Sippala, Director - Recreation, Culture & Municipal Child Care. “This is a fantastic start, and our goal is to build on our achievements over the next few years.”

The Designation, awarded by Play Works through Parks and Recreation Ontario, and means the City has met the following criteria:

  • Youth have options for play
  • It is easy for youth to find out information about play activities in the community
  • The community recognizes and celebrates youth
  • The community formally commits funding for youth play
  • Youth feel valued by their community
  • Play is accessible to youth
  • Play is socially inclusive

An awards ceremony was held at the Parks and Recreation Ontario’s Education Forum on March 28, where Recreation and Culture Division staff accepted the award.

Play Works, an independent group of organizations committed to encouraging and promoting a greater investment in youth play, established the Youth Friendly Community Recognition Program in 2005. It acknowledges the great work that is being done in communities across Ontario to ensure that youth (ages 13-19) have continuous access to opportunities for leadership and engagement ranging from arts to recreation to civic leadership. Parks and Recreation Ontario acts as the secretariat for Play Works and administers the Youth Friendly Community Recognition Program.

Learn more at www.playworkspartnership.ca/youth-friendly-communities

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Contact:       Donna Sippala, Director - Recreation, Culture & Municipal Child Care, 684-3321