New Promising Practice: Management of outdoor recreation and active travel spaces during COVID-19: A guidance document for Timiskaming district

In early March to April of this year, many parks and recreation spaces were immediately closed to align with provincial public health measures and guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID-19. People living in the Timiskaming district were no longer able to access park spaces, trails and walkways. Municipalities were responsible to make decisions about management of outdoor recreation and active travel spaces during COVID-19.

The evidence brief outlines the importance of accessing outdoor green spaces and how this contributes to better mental health and well-being, especially for vulnerable population groups such as low-income families, minority and ethnic groups, children and adolescents, and older adults.¹ According to evidence, these groups have better health outcomes when they have access to and spend time in open spaces.¹ For the municipalities in the Timiskaming district, it was important to find a balance between managing the risk of spread of COVID-19 and maintaining and creating safer access to outdoor recreation and active travel spaces.