City of Surrey 2020-2024 Financial Plan

PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURE

2019 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

INCLUSION

• Leisure Access Program (“LAP”) enables low-income families to get access to recreation services. In 2019, 6,070 families qualified for the LAP. In 2019, 17,916 total residents accessed the LAP, which was an increase from the 16,200 residents in 2018. For children, the most popular programs used by LAP were Summer Camps, Learn to Swim and Learn to Skate Programs; • Established three working groups to improve accessibility and reduce barriers for seniors to participate in advisory activities; • Completion of the Age Friendly Strategy for Seniors Action Plan; • Seniors Food Services were updated to include more nutritious offerings through work with a dietician. Waste reduction was also a strong focus as • The City acquired a beach wheelchair which was installed at Crescent Beach and can be loaned out to public at no cost; • Introduced sensory friendly spaces at all of Surrey’s signature events, at Grandview Heights Aquatics Centre, and provided 25 Sensory friendly kits, headphones to Surrey Fire for their lead trucks. Museum of Surrey also introduced Sensory Friendly Times and kits, the initial session on August 13 attracted over 1000 people; containing sensory toys, picture symbols and noise-cancelling we upgraded all packaging from Styrofoam to more eco-friendly options;

• Surrey’s Love Where You Live initiative challenged residents, businesses, students and community groups to help keep Surrey clean and beautiful. Collectively during the campaign, city staff and the public removed over 128,000 kg of garbage from Surrey’s parks and streets and planted over 13,000 native trees and plants; • The new south lawn at The Glades saw over 2,000 people on Mother’s Day. Our other feature garden, Darts Hill, also saw an increase in attendance again this year with over 8,000 people attending events, garden strolls, and members days; • Fitness Centre and Fitness Instructors were trained on inclusive fitness practice so that people of all abilities could work out with a personal trainer or attend a fitness class; • All fitness centres received inclusive fitness kits, which included active hands, medicine balls with handles and several other items. Providing people of all abilities to use them with their workout; • As part of the Rick Hansen Assessment Certification program, 40 recreation facilities were assessed for accessibility, with 4 sites receiving Gold Certification. Sites that have been certified will receive a decal to celebrate and highlight Surreys accessibility with the community; and • The City launched an Autism Spectrum Disorder awareness training video for staff which was shared with town centres.

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