June is Recreation and Parks Month - Many Free Events in the City

June is Recreation and Parks Month in Ontario

Take advantage of one of the many free events in Orillia

The Orillia Parks and Recreation Department will once again be celebrating June is Recreation and Parks Month. The goal of June is Recreation and Parks Month (JRPM) is to increase awareness of the value and benefits that recreation and parks have on individuals, families and communities. "Hike it or Bike it," is the provincial theme and it will bring focus and raise awareness about the tremendous trails and pathways in Orillia and across Ontario.

The Orillia Parks and Recreation Department have scheduled a number of FREE events throughout the month of June.

Come and help us kick off the first event for June is Recreation and Parks Month. The Fourth Annual Poker Walk will take place Saturday, June 8th from 10 AM until 2 PM at Scout’s Valley. Registration for the event will take place the day of the event starting at 9:30 AM Reagan House.

Poker Walk participants must find five stations in the park and perform various activities to collect cards. The participants with the best poker hand at the end of the event will be eligible to win great prizes from our sponsors – such as Curves, Marineland, Scandinave Spa and many more!

All participants must have their cards handed in by 2 PM to be eligible for a prize. There will be over $900.00 in prizes available to be won and the City of Orillia, Parks, Recreation and Culture Department would like to thank all of our sponsors! Winners will be determined after 2 PM. The first 100 participants under the age of 18 will receive a free pass from Scales Nature Park just for participating in the walk.

Other June is Recreation and Parks Month events include:

June 16th – Kick off to the 2012 Summer Band Concert Series featuring the Orillia Silver BandJune 23rd – Camp for a Day at Rotary Place (pre-registration required)June 23rd – Water Smart Day at Couchiching Beach Park (Learn how to swim for free – pre-registration is required.)June 26th – Movies in the Park - KING KONG - The 1933 cinema classic turns 80 this year! Come and enjoy this iconic adventure for the first time or again under the stars in Couchiching Park. The original King Kong has been masterfully restored to its former glory in magnificent black and white. This screening is FREE and will begin at dusk or approx. 9:30PM Aqua Theatre, Seating is limited. Bring a lawnchair or blanket.

For further information please see page 14 of the Orillia Parks, Recreation and Culture Department Summer Made Fun registration guide or online

http://www.orillia.ca/en/livinginorillia/juneisrecreationparksmonth.asp

The purpose of Recreation and Parks Month is to celebrate the success of recreation and parks here in the City of Orillia and draw public attention to the benefits and values of recreation to individuals, families, neighbourhoods and communities. Partner organizations include Parks and Recreation Ontario, the Ontario Parks Association, the Ontario Recreation Facilities Association, and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario.

Key Stats:

Increasing physical activity saves $364 annually per person for medical costs and industrial injuries.

A 10% increase in the number of physically active Canadians could save the health care system $800 million per year

Source: The Canadian Fitness & Lifestyle Research Institute

Media Contact:

Roz Llewellyn

Recreation Program Supervisor

Email: rllewellyn@orillia.ca

705-329-7251