Snow much fun: City launches winterized recreation program
The City of Hamilton is launching new winter recreation activities to help residents get off their rear ends" during a chilly COVID-19 lockdown.
Paul Johnson, emergency operations centre director, announced Monday that the city will be offering snowshoe, Nordic walking pole and winter disc golf rentals in the coming weeks. The city will also be hosting self-guided story walks in partnership with the Hamilton Public Library.
This is a really critical time where adhering to the rules and conforming to the lockdown measures is critically important," said Johnson. Along the way ... we do need to be active, we do need to do things that appropriately get us out of our homes and at least get us off our rear ends once in a while."
Rentals will be by reservation only and can be booked online. All three are designated for use at King's Forest Golf Club, according to the city's website.
There are also recreation options available for families hoping to stay indoors or just closer to home.
Starting Monday, Johnson said the city will be providing take-home recreation kits that were very popular" in the summer. The kits include crafts and activities that kids can do at home, said Johnson.
In the virtual world, the city will be hosting an online scavenger hunt for 13- to 17-year-olds starting Jan. 18.
Johnson also reminded residents that the city's Seniors' Centre Without Walls continues to offer fitness classes, brain games and trivia over the phone.
(It's) critically important right now that we reach out to those that are isolated and older adults who are isolated, (who) may be at a particular risk," he said. We would love to see our seniors centres up and thriving with all the people they normally have in them but ... that can't happen at the moment."
The new activities - launched as the Frosty Fun" program - are in addition to outdoor skating, tobogganing, winter golf and hiking already offered in the city.
Johnson said while people are encouraged to take advantage of the outdoor rinks in the community, residents are asked to follow the rules surrounding hours of operation.
City staff have had to take action" against those using the rinks after hours, said Johnson, noting that they had to disperse" a group of nearly 70 people that were skating when it was prohibited.
Residents can also be ticketed by bylaw and police if caught, he warned.
Please stay off it," said Johnson. With no one there to control it, the numbers can get out of control ... We want to make sure people are enjoying all of these great opportunities in a safe way."
Fallon Hewitt is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: fhewitt@thespec.com