Close X
Sunday, November 10, 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

Charges stayed against parents in toddler's death

Charges stayed against parents in toddler's death
Crown prosecutors have stayed charges against parents who were facing a third trial in the death of their toddler in southern Alberta. Shawn Buckley, a lawyer for David and Collet Stephan, said Tuesday he received a letter from the Crown about the decision.

Charges stayed against parents in toddler's death

High profile Surrey lawyer Narinder Pal Singh Kang suspended by Law Society

High profile Surrey lawyer Narinder Pal Singh Kang suspended by Law Society
In a ruling on Tuesday, the June 15, 2018, domestic violence incident involving Kang as “intimate partner violence.” On that day, Kang got into a heated argument with a person, identified as A.B. in the ruling, after the lawyer had returned home from a social outing where he had drank alcohol.

High profile Surrey lawyer Narinder Pal Singh Kang suspended by Law Society

Regulator lifts Trans Mountain stop-work order

Regulator lifts Trans Mountain stop-work order
Trans Mountain has now submitted a satisfactory plan to correct deficiencies in the oversight of its contractors that could pose threats to nesting birds, the Canada Energy Regulator said Tuesday in a statement.

Regulator lifts Trans Mountain stop-work order

56 COVID19 cases for Tuesday

56 COVID19 cases for Tuesday
There are 1,150 active cases of COVID-19 in BC. This is the lowest number since of active cases since September 1. There There are 111 people in hospital, up 3, and 41 in ICU, down 6.

56 COVID19 cases for Tuesday

B.C. anti-racism rally postponed after threats

B.C. anti-racism rally postponed after threats
Rachna Singh, parliamentary secretary for anti-racism initiatives, says a partner with the province's anti-racism network in Nanaimo and Ladysmith decided to cancel the car rally after organizers received threats of physical violence.

B.C. anti-racism rally postponed after threats

Former President of the Abbotsford Hindu Temple found guilty of sexual assault

Former President of the Abbotsford Hindu Temple found guilty of sexual assault
62 year old Abbotsford resident, Deepak Sharma, was found guilty on June 18th, 2021 in North Vancouver provincial court. His sentencing hearing date has been set for June 29. 

Former President of the Abbotsford Hindu Temple found guilty of sexual assault