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Editorial - City fortunate in terms of recreation

Yorkton Council, as has been their annual history, proclaimed June as Recreation and Parks Month in the city.

Yorkton Council, as has been their annual history, proclaimed June as Recreation and Parks Month in the city.

Since the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association provincially, and other organizations have been promoting the month for more than a decade now, that Yorkton Council was unanimous in their decision at its regular meeting Monday comes as no surprise.

That however does not lessen the significance of marking the important part good parks and recreation facilities within a community play.

As was noted in a report circulated to Council Monday; “Recreation and active living significantly reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke, helps combat osteoporosis, reduce diabetes and prevent site-specific cancers.”

It is also important to remember how recreation facilities are attractions that draw tourists to the community, with tourists in turn spending dollars which are good for the local economy.

Examples for recreation draws to the city are varied, from minor hockey and ball tournaments, to the indoor aquatic centre, through to the skateboard park, and the recent motocross races at Millstone Raceway. In each example, and many others, people travel to Yorkton to take part in events and activities which are held here because Yorkton has the facilities in place.

When one looks at our city and begins talking about parks and recreational facilities it is difficult to see where something major is missing.

Fans of motorsports have the aforementioned motocross track, along with Yellowhead Raceway for stock cars and the annual drag racing event at the airport.

Sports are covered through ball diamonds, soccer fields, a growing minor football program, ball and disc golf, a major skateboard park, tennis courts, walking tracks both indoor and outdoor, racquetball courts and more.

There is even work toward creating a cricket field in the city, which speaks to our growing diversity, and the willingness to serve changing needs within the area of recreation.

Yorkton is also fortunate to have had Councils through the years willing to invest in park and recreation which remain free access to all. There is the great art piece which centres Shaw Park, one of several community art pieces which are part of an art walk in the city.

Of course in terms of recreation related to art there are also the Godfrey Dean Gallery and the pARTners Gallery in the city.

There is also the Accessible Play Structure at Weinmaster Park which provides a safe play environment for children who require some added support.

There are the aforementioned skateboard facility and Patrick Park Disc Golf Course and paved walking paths, as well as the new trout pond which is part of the water treatment plant system. There is the soon to be officially opened Wiggly Field dog walk park.

In the summer the City is involved in hosting park parties (June 17 at Drake Field and June 24 at Heritage Heights), and the S-CAPE Summer program for youth. They even have a hand in the popular Yorkton in Bloom Yard and Garden Competition, and we all recognize gardening is a major recreation for many.

While there may be some who could point to something missing within the recreation fabric of Yorkton, a climbing wall perhaps, a bowles court, or always open horseshoe pitches, or the long talked about stage facility not tied to a school, but the list is rather short.

So as the month of June marks parks and recreation it is a time we for our community to recognize just how fortunate we are to have such a wide range of facilities allowing us to each follow the recreation we are passionate about.