Special thanks to Dr. Martha Barnes of Brock University for writing this blog post. It describes steps taken to engage municipal recreation managers in Niagara in providing insights to strengthen the Recreation and Sports Sector of the Living in Niagara (LIN)-2026 report. The LIN-2026 report will be released in January, 2027.
The parks and recreation sector in Niagara is in part, responsible for improving the lives of all community members through the provision of recreation. This essential work happens in countless facilities and spaces across the region including many municipal arenas, community centres, gymnasium, parks, trails, ball diamonds, soccer fields, courts, health care settings, etc. As a sector that is increasingly recognized for its contribution to individual (e.g. improved physical and mental health) and community benefit (e.g. social inclusion), this sector also contributes to the economy in important ways. For example, part-time or seasonal employment for youth (e.g. summer camp counsellors, lifeguards, etc.) can serve as a stepping stone to a life-long meaningful career in the parks and recreation sector at different levels of government, in various settings, across public, private and non-profit agencies. In Niagara, a network of professionals, Active Niagara Network (ANN) was established in 2018 to support the parks and recreation sector through information sharing and networking opportunities. The network has representatives from all 12 municipalities, the provincial liaison; professionals in non-profit organizations (i.e., Parks and Recreation Ontario, YMCAs), and other health, education, and sport professionals interested in advancing the sector.
Given the challenges associated with meeting the diverse needs of community members amidst political and fiscal constraints, the parks and recreation sector is reliant on gathering strong and relevant data to help make evidence-based decisions. There are current examples of evidence that assist the work of the parks and recreation sector (e.g. Framework for Recreation in Canada, CPRA, 2024; Measuring Impact, CPRA & CFLRI, 2023; Beyond the Boundaries: The Untold Value of Parks and Recreation Infrastructure, PRO, 2025) but a local report such as the Living in Niagara Report offers the opportunity for local context to be reflected in its evidence.
Therefore, to help strengthen the upcoming publication of the Living in Niagara Report Recreation and Sports Sector, ANN held a meeting in February 2026 facilitated by Sarah Ane (Parks and Recreation Ontario) and Dr. Martha Barnes (Recreation and Leisure Studies, Brock University) to discuss current and future challenges and opportunities in the recreation sector specific to Niagara. Questions asked municipal recreation managers to identify: 1) new or emerging needs in the community for participants; 2) strategies for addressing Niagara’s growing and diversifying population; and 3) impacts of social issues (i.e. cost of living, transportation, housing, or mental health) on programs and/or facilities.
From there, recreation managers were asked to consider top priorities/action steps for the sport and recreation sector in Niagara over the next 3 years and to identify what progress could look like one year out. Note: Those unable to attend the meeting were able to respond with their perspectives online so that as many voices as possible were heard. Initial insights reiterate the importance of recognizing both similarities and key differences in each municipality with respect to the provision of recreation. For example, most municipalities in Niagara share concerns around aging infrastructure, increasing demand for recreation, and the need for creating safe spaces in our communities. The need for accessible, region-specific benchmarks for recreation infrastructure and usage was also noted as a tool that could strengthen the sector. In comparison, the discussion highlighted the prevalence and nature of social issues differ significantly between urban and rural communities, with larger cities facing more acute challenges related to homelessness and mental health, while smaller municipalities primarily are faced with youth loitering and/or vandalism.
Moving forward, this work will be added to what has been gathered over the past two years by Community Potential staff under its current methodology to create a comprehensive presentation of the Recreation and Sports Sector. From there, the intent of the report can: 1) inform strategic and service planning work at municipal levels (e.g. identify emerging trends that may affect service demand, infrastructure, or programming); 2) contribute to policy development and advocacy (e.g., provide credible, local evidence to support policy recommendations and/or funding requests to government); 3) be a research and communications tool as a trusted source for presentations, reports, and public-facing materials.
