Active Communities

Active Communities This guide is for local governments of rural and urban communities across British Columbia who want to create active, healthy and thriving places for all people. What you’ll find in this Action Guide: • Information on co-benefits of physical activity • Actions and examples from BC communities • Funding opportunities • Further reading and resources • A summary checklist Kimberley, BC Photo Credit: Province of British Columbia Local Government Action Guides for Healthy Communities Local Government Action Guide: Active Communities Active Communities in BC How does physical activity affect British Columbians? Benefits Beyond Physical Health and live in healthy neighbourhoods where it is safe and comfortable to play or choose active travel. Physical activity supports healthy child For more information on health outcomes and the development, social connectedness, positive co-benefits of healthy built environments check out educational outcomes, and physical and mental the Healthy Built Environment Linkages Toolkit.8 wellbeing. Active modes of transportation reduce traffic congestion and pollution, improve Inequitable Access Creates Inequitable community safety, enhance business activity and Outcomes property values, and provide more equitable access to jobs, services and other opportunities.1,2,3 Healthy environments are not available to all, Green spaces encourage biodiversity and reduce and many British Columbians struggle to get pollution.4 Physical activity increases workplace enough physical activity each day.9 Parks and productivity while also decreasing demands on other natural spaces may be inaccessible due to healthcare and social services.5,6 distance, mobility challenges, or underdeveloped transportation networks. Recreational Environments are a Key Determinant of opportunities, including sports, might be an Active Life exclusionary due to time or financial constraints, or a lack of cultural relevance. Affordable housing While age and genetics have some impact, it may be located in areas with limited access to is primarily the physical and socio-economic services, requiring residents to use personal environments in which we live, learn, work and vehicles for travel instead of walking or cycling. play that determine if, and how often, we are Neighbourhoods may lack the infrastructure that physically active.7 Built and natural environments makes it safe and comfortable to play outside or can provide spaces to connect in nature and walk to the grocery store. to be active through transportation, cultural practices, work, school, play, or household duties. So what can local governments do to Social environments can provide us with support, help? How can they work across sectors encouragement and confidence to engage in to make active choices easier choices physical activities. Economic environments can for all people? provide us with the security to make active choices British Columbia enjoys an increasingly rich diversity of cultures. Achieving a balance in physical activity participation requires an approach that celebrates, welcomes and includes people of all ages and abilities and from all cultures.10 Art Walk2 in Kelowna, BC Photo Credit: Province of British Columbia Local Government Action Guide: Active Communities Actions Local Governments Can Take Supporting Physical Activity in Our Communities Legend Local governments can create opportunities for physical activity in the settings of everyday life. Action has economic co-benefits They work in partnership with other sectors, design and develop many of our built environments, operate recreational facilities, and protect and Rural or small community example provide access to parks and other natural spaces. They understand the social, cultural, economic, and environmental diversity of their community, Urban community example essential considerations when planning inclusive and effective active living strategies. The following sections provide partnership, planning, and program actions that local governments can take to help build active communities. Did You Know? Partnerships Indigenous Peoples have lived on the land now known as British Columbia for more than 10,000 Working across sectors and with a variety of partners is years. Indigenous Peoples refers to communities, essential to maximize positive impacts for communities. peoples and nations that have historical continuity Local governments, community organizations, health with pre-colonial societies on their territories and authorities, educational institutions, private business and consider themselves distinct from other current provincial agencies all have a role to play in supporting communities in those territories. In the Canadian physical activity and offer valuable perspectives and context, this includes First Nations, Métis and Inuit. resources. Specifically, local governments can: While some First Nations people live on-reserve, Partner with other local governments, including more than 70% of British Columbia’s overall Indigenous communities, to develop joint strategies Indigenous population lives ‘off-reserve’ in urban toward shared goals for active communities. and rural communities throughout BC. Each have Example With support from Interior Health distinct histories, world views, languages, traditions, Authority, the City of Enderby, BC and the and governance structures and processes. Through Splatsin Band of the Shuswap Nation11 partnered in acknowledgement of First Nations rights and title the development of an Active Transportation Plan to and respect for Indigenous communities we can develop an active transportation network between both work together and partner in the development of communities. active living strategies, policies and programs that meet the needs of our communities. Partner with other sectors and community organizations to support physical literacy12 at all ages. To learn more about First Nations in BC visit the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations.15 Example PLAYKamloops13 is a network of local governments, provincial government and To learn more about Métis-specific history, community agencies in Kamloops, BC working to culture and traditions visit Métis Nation British create opportunities for community members of all Columbia.16 ages to engage in physical literacy initiatives and be active through life. The network is using a framework To learn more about Inuit history, culture and developed from Canadian Sport for Life. traditions visit Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.17 Partner with private businesses and local business To support safe and inclusive sport and recreation associations, encouraging them to provide facilities program planning for Indigenous people visit: (e.g., bicycle storage, showers and benches) that 18 support people to be active. • Aboriginal Communities - Active for Life Example The Atrium Building14 in Victoria, BC • BC Recreation and Parks Aboriginal Cultural 19 features secure bicycle storage, shower and Relations Module change rooms, free bike share for building occupants, • Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and and a large public space with benches and greenery. Recreation Council20 3 Local Government Action Guide: Active Communities Actions Local Governments Can Take Example In 2008 the District of Kitimat, BC Partnerships Continued and Northern Health Authority signed the Active Living, Health and Wellness Protocol23 to Partner with the housing sector, including government formalize a long-standing, mutually beneficial agencies, developers, and non-profit housing providers, relationship. A committee called Kick It Up Kitimat24 to combine housing and transportation in measures of was established to put this protocol into action and affordability and to ensure affordable housing is linked members continue to work with community partners with active transportation infrastructure. on initiatives that support healthy and active living in Example In 2015 Metro Vancouver Kitimat. Regional District conducted a Housing and Transportation Cost Burden Study (H+T Study)21 Partner with educational institutions to support to present a new measure of affordability for the active travel to and from schools, to promote region. The H+T Study quantifies transportation costs physical activity during the school day, and to (such as the cost of driving versus public transit use) encourage use of the school gymnasium and grounds and combines them with housing costs to provide a for open public play when classes are not in session. more complete picture of affordability for working Example In 2015 the District of Squamish households. began work with local schools to initiate a School Travel Planning25 process. This collaborative Partner with local recreational groups or effort involved District staff, RCMP, Vancouver organizations, such as paddling, mountain biking or Coastal Health, community organizations and school hiking clubs, to co-develop and promote recreational committees, including students, principals, parents activities in the community. and teachers, and was led by HASTe BC. The process PICTURES OF KITIMAT Example The Columbia Valley Greenways has resulted in School Travel Plans including best Trail Alliance22 is a trails advocacy group routes maps and action plans for six elementary made up of seven trail and stewardship groups in schools. the Columbia Valley of BC. Partner organizations advocate for the development, maintenance and Partner with the RCMP and non-profit bicycle responsible use of sustainable trails on public and advocacy

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