Evaluation of a Municipal Recreation Revitalization Strategy

Through community partnerships with City of Spruce Grove, Parkland County, Strathcona County and Town of Stony Plain, this study evaluated the implementation of Phase One of Strathcona County’s Open Spaces and Recreation Facility Strategy (OSFRS). The OSRFS will guide the (re)development of recreation facilities and open spaces to meet community needs over the next 15 years (2009-2023). The County invested $40 million in the first phase (2009 – 2013) to revitalize existing indoor recreation facilities and outdoor spaces.

More specifically, barriers to accessing recreation facilities and open spaces by users and non-users were examined using a mixed-methods design. This data was compared to facility users and non-users of a community similar in size and facility profile (City of Spruce Grove/Town of Stony Plain/Parkland County — referred to as Tri-Municipal Region).

For more information about this project contact: Laura Nieuwendyk, Project Coordinator at laura.nieuwendyk@ualberta.ca

  • Dr. Candace NykiforukAssociate Professor, School of Public Health, University of Alberta (Principal Investigator)
  • Dr. Tanya Berry, Associate Professor, Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta (Co-Investigator)
  • Dr. Helen Vallianatos, Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of Alberta (Co-Investigator)
  • Strathcona County Recreation, Parks and Culture
  • City of Spruce Grove
  • Parkland County
  • Town of Stony Plain

Half of Albertans not getting enough exercise- University to conduct research on the benefits of recreational space
The Stony Plain Reporter, August 11, 2011

  • 2011-2013 Canadian Institutes of Health Research: Operating Grant – Population Health Intervention Research
  • 2011-2013 Strathcona County Recreation, Parks and Culture