YORKTON - June is Recreation and Parks Month in Saskatchewan, and Yorkton will be a busy place to mark the month-long event.
That was the message Yorkton Council received at its regular meeting Monday in a report by Julia Schofer - Program Services Manager, with the City.
“Summer has returned! After the long, cold winter we had, and with the province coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, residents have been anxious to get back to doing activities they love but also to try out something new,” she said.
“June is Recreation and Parks Month is a great way for the residents of Yorkton to learn about what opportunities are available to them.”
Some activities include the growing Pickleball programming in the community and new activities like Chair Yoga at the Yorkton Public Library and Mom and Tot Aquacize at the Access Communications Water Park. Park spaces, pathways and outdoor recreation facilities can be accessed at almost any time and seeing residents utilizing them, and in some cases through all four seasons, shows that residents have been eager to Get Out, Get Active and Re-Connect with their community that they have been isolated from.
The Recreation and Community Services department has several activities and projects planned, or are currently underway, for this year, said Schofer.
Beginning the activities in collaboration with the Yorkton Active Transportation Collaborative, there will be a Community Bike Rodeo on Thursday, June 9 from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm at the Yorkton Public Library.
Park Parties will be making their return and will be held at two locations. The first location will be at Tupper Park on Thursday, June 16 from 5 -- 7 pm and on Wednesday, June 22 at Ukrainian Pioneer Park from 5 -- 7 pm; weather permitting.
There are three, six-week, Outdoor Yoga Programs occurring at Logan Green. Classes have already started, but there are still spaces available for late registration for residents who are interested.
Urban Poling Clinics, also referred to as Nordic Walking, was a programming request by the community, and because of its popularity, Learn to Urban Pole clinics are being offered every Wednesday until June 15 at the Gallagher Centre Flexihall. There are two sessions each day. The afternoon session is from 1:00pm – 2:30 pm and the evening session is from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm.
The city continues to loan pickleball and disc golf equipment from Guest Services at the Gallagher Centre.
Concrete tee pads are also planned at the city’s two Disc Golf Courses at Rodney Ridge and Patrick Park.
Working with stakeholders and the community, planning is underway to develop a new park in the South-central area of the City, which we are referring to as the Columbia Park Development. This future park space will host two outdoor basketball courts and a pump bike track.
“By promoting June is Recreation and Parks Month, Yorkton will help acknowledge the impact that employees and volunteers have on the many recreation and parks opportunities that we all use and enjoy,” said Schofer.
“Elected officials, recreation and parks professionals, and community members can all promote the vital contributions of recreation and park services to our people, community, environment, and for the economic well-being of our province.”
