Close X
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
ADVT 
National

Park use in Canada soared during COVID-19: survey

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 23 Jun, 2021 01:22 PM
  • Park use in Canada soared during COVID-19: survey

A new survey has found that Canadians haveflocked to their local parks during the COVID-19 pandemic, creating both challenges and opportunities for cities.

The survey by charity organization Park People found that two-thirds of the 3,500 respondents it surveyed reported having spent more time in parks during the pandemic, while almost 40 per cent said their use of parks had doubled.

Cities noted the same trend, with 29 of 31 responding municipalities reporting increased park use.

While the overwhelming majority of respondents said parks had a positive impact on their mental health during the pandemic, the increased use also presents challenges for cities.

The survey authors say cities reported having incurred extra costs during the pandemic due to increased maintenance and staffing needs, at a time when they faced a funding crunch due to COVID-19.

Most cities also said they face other long-term challenges including aging infrastructure and more demand for programs and quality designs.

Most of the respondents who reported using parks more often said they planned to continue their visits, with 85 per cent saying they'd like to see increased funding for better maintenance, new amenities and more community programming.

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. raises income and disability rates

B.C. raises income and disability rates
Nicholas Simons, the minister of social development and poverty reduction, says it's the largest-ever permanent increase for income and disability assistance rates in B.C., and the third increase since July 2017.

B.C. raises income and disability rates

556 COVID19 cases for Tuesday

556 COVID19 cases for Tuesday
There have been 116 new confirmed COVID-19 cases that are variants of concern identified in our province in the last day, for a total of 996 cases.

556 COVID19 cases for Tuesday

B.C., Washington team up against giant hornets

B.C., Washington team up against giant hornets
The hornets are considered a serious honeybee predator with a large orange head, mandibles and a wingspan up to seven centimetres.

B.C., Washington team up against giant hornets

B.C. teachers cite high COVID-19 work claims

B.C. teachers cite high COVID-19 work claims
Rules on masks were expanded last month to require students in middle and secondary schools to wear them in all indoor areas at school, as well as in learning groups.

B.C. teachers cite high COVID-19 work claims

Five things about NACI's new AstraZeneca advice

Five things about NACI's new AstraZeneca advice
It recommended the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines be prioritized for seniors, and AstraZeneca given to younger populations who might otherwise wait longer to get a vaccine.

Five things about NACI's new AstraZeneca advice

New quarantine rules for temporary foreign workers

New quarantine rules for temporary foreign workers
The new rules are among several adjustments to the management of the program for the start of this year's growing season.

New quarantine rules for temporary foreign workers