Toronto launches ParksPlayTO and Summer in the 6IX to engage kids and young adults
TORONTO, ON., July 17, 2020 — Today, the City of Toronto launched two new outdoor recreation initiatives for Toronto children and youth. ParksPlayTO and Summer in the 6IX will engage Toronto youth, children and their families and help animate up to 100 local Toronto parks and outdoor spaces this summer.
#ParksPlayTO . The program runs for 7 weeks and will offer free drop-in and activity-based, recreation programming for families Monday to Friday at multiple locations across the city. There is no cost to participate in the program and no pre-registration is necessary.
ParksPlayTO – ages 12 and under
Beginning Monday, July 20, ParksPlayTO will offer free drop-in and activity-based, recreation programming Monday to Friday each week at multiple locations. ParksPlayTO will offer activities such as nature exploring, gardening, active games, arts and crafts, family fitness, story-telling and music circles for children and their caregivers. Any child age 12 and under accompanied by a caregiver age 18 or older can participate in ParksPlayTO. Caregivers can bring up to four children and must remain at the park to participate in the program. ParksPlayTO morning sessions will begin at 9:15 a.m. and afternoon sessions will begin at 1:30 p.m.
“Over the past few weeks we have been working hard to find new programs to get kids and youth outside to enjoy the summer months.” ParksPlayTO and Summer in the 6ix will provide much needed social interaction and physical activity for kids and youth across the city,” said Mayor John Tory. “I want to thank City staff at Parks, Forestry and Recreation and MLSE for helping us bring these programs to almost 100 parks in Toronto.”
Summer in the 6ix – ages 13- 24
Summer in the 6IX, which will also begin on Monday, is a free program designed for Toronto youth, aged 13 to 24, offering opportunities to drop in, meet up with friends and participate in fun, themed activities. Summer in the 6IX will offer a range of programming including dance, fitness, ecology and sports as well as leadership, employment, arts and media. Summer in the 6IX will be available to all Toronto youth at a variety of Toronto parks. There will be three sessions offered a day at multiple locations across the city seven days a week.
This year has been especially challenging for children and youth. The City and MLSE Foundation want to help Toronto children and youth recognize and reach their potential through these two new initiatives. MLSE LaunchPad coaches, alongside City recreation staff, will offer a variety of sport skills workshops in basketball, soccer, football and ball hockey. The workshops will provide a range of instructional and recreational activities that encourage skill development.
These two new programs were developed alongside Toronto Public Health with a strong focus on health and safety. Programming is designed for participants to maintain physical distance from other individuals and groups. Equipment will be sanitized between uses, or individual supplies will be provided. Staff will conduct a verbal health screening with each participant prior to the program start and collect caregiver or participant contact information. This information will be collected for Toronto Public Health, if COVID-19 contact tracing is required.
Registration is not required. People can just head to the park when activities are scheduled.
Map of locations and program/workshop details
SOURCE City of Toronto
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