Celebrate Recreation Day by Getting Out, Getting Active

Thursday, June 2, 2016 (Halifax, NS) – It’s a perfect time to dust off the sneakers, pull out your bathing suit, kickflip a skateboard, or learn how to Zumba.

June is National Recreation Month and the Halifax Regional Municipality is highlighting the ‘get out, get active’ month with several low/no cost, accessible, and unstructured recreation activities this Saturday (June 4).

One of the municipality’s priorities is to encourage healthy communities across the region. That means building safe, liveable, and accessible neighbourhoods where residents have access to facilities and open spaces that foster community connections and physical activity.

One example of bringing a community together through recreational open spaces is the new Dartmouth Skateboard Park at the Dartmouth Common, which is holding its grand opening on Saturday at 1 p.m. The skatepark is a reflection of the municipality meeting the needs of a community group in search of outdoor recreation space.

The Emera Oval will also play a prominent role in hosting several Recreation Day activities from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. The afternoon will include:

• A giant Zumba class taught by the energetic Elaine Fitzgerald Muise
• Studio in Essence hula hoop demonstration featuring the children’s class doing an amazing aerial hoop show
• Stiff-as-a-board plank contest – How long can you hold your plank!
• Hats Off to Rec Day 5k – 5 kilometre Walk/Run around the Halifax Common
• Free in-line skating, scootering, skate boarding and biking on the Emera Oval
• Craft activities and garden games
• Face painting by KC’s Face Painting
• Fabulous giveaways and prizes
• A live musical performance, as well as a DJ, to help you move your feet to the beat as you play and celebrate Recreation Day with family and friends

Recreation Day activities will also criss-cross the municipality, from a free trial at the Musquodoboit Fitness Centre, to open gym activities at the Tallahassee Recreation Centre, and outdoor family games at the Chocolate Lake Recreation Centre. There will also be various free/low cost swimming sessions across the region, including at the Captain William Spry Centre.

For a complete list of Recreation Day activities and times, visit www.halifax.ca/rec.

Everyone has their favourite recreation activity. What’s yours? Share with #RECtasticJune. Don’t forget to be social and ‘like’ Recreation Day on Facebook, and follow Halifax Recreation (@HfxREC) on Twitter.

In case of inclement weather, please contact your local community recreation centre (www.halifax.ca/rec/reccentres.php) to confirm if outdoor events will be going ahead.

Source: Release