Advocating for Outdoor Activities

Advocating for Outdoor Activities

With the current provincial lockdown expected to be in place for several more weeks, I want to add my voice to those asking the Ontario government to consider allowing more outdoor activities. While parks, trails, benches and playgrounds remain open here in Kingston, new provincial rules have required us to close basketball and tennis courts, baseball diamonds, soccer fields and golf courses. This has been hard on kids and families in our community, particularly those who may not have their own yard to play in.

With COVID-19 variants of concern circulating in our community, it’s critical that we all do our part to follow public health restrictions meant to slow the spread of the virus. However, the data is clear that the vast majority of transmission happens in indoor settings, not outdoor ones. With the strain on people’s mental health right now, getting outdoors and staying active is more important than ever. Under the current rules, people in the same household can take a walk, visit a playground or go on a bike ride together. I’m asking the province to review the current rules to also allow those from the same household to be able to play catch or kick a soccer ball around on a sports field. Permitting golf courses to accept bookings from local residents would also provide another important outdoor activity that wouldn’t encourage travel from outside the region. During such a difficult time for our community, I believe permitting these low-risk outdoor activities is the right choice and I’m hoping the provincial government will have another look at this.

2 Responses

  1. Marleyne Mauri says:

    I certaily support your efforts to reopn fields for sport activities. I would like to add to the list marinas:indeed, they ate closed and the boating season approaches.It would be nice to do prep work and launch the boats.And thank you for reopening the waterfront park.

  2. Stephanie says:

    Dear Mayor Patterson,
    How can we help!!?? Where do we write?!! The data needs to be shown and they need to justify this this isn’t fair for our families or our children at all moving into summer, And they know it. Our right to fresh air and exercise is exactly that- a right… please let us know how we can fight this non scientific and these very unhealthy and damaging Not to mention not science backed restrictions.

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