Salt Spring Parks and Recreation
PARC Postings
Mouat Park Interpretive Signage Initiative:
Salt Spring’s own Mouat Park is at the centre of a research study titled “Salt Spring Interpretive Signage Initiative (SSI-ISI),” set forth by the Trail and Nature Club, the Salt Spring Parks and Recreation Commission, and the University of Victoria. The study’s purpose is to capture the community’s knowledge and interests regarding Mouat’s; and to later implement, within the Park, interpretive signage that reflects these thoughts.
For the Mouat Park interpretive signage initiative our co-op student Stevie-rae from the University of Victoria has been gathering information. She has researched the history of the park with the help of some local ‘history buffs,’ and using the new Salt Spring Library Archives. In combination with collecting park information, Stevie-rae is conducting focus groups with community members and key park stakeholders, and the surrounding schools. The community’s perspective on the park, and its usage, is critical to the implementation of signs. Depending on the community’s input the signs will display information on the environment/ecology, history, culture, health etc. During the next couple months a variety of focus (aka discussion) groups will be organized. Afterwards, the community data will direct the creation of pilot signs in Mouat’s Park.
The date of the next ‘open community,’ group discussion is: Saturday, March 2, 2013 @ 10:15 - 11:15. The meeting will take place in the Ganges Center Building above the Post Office; the entrance to the second floor boardroom is behind the CIBC Bank.
If you are interested in participating please contact Stevie-rae Robinson at the PARC office, 250.537.4448 or by 
email.
Rainbow Pool: What's happening at the pool!
The Swim 4 Heart fundraiser for the Heart and Stroke Foundation took place on Feb. 17th.Over 100 people participated in this annual event. With the help of numerous volunteers the fundraiser was a huge success, raising over $1,000. The event started off with a 60 minute water fitness class, generating more than $500 in donations. Afterwards the swimmers hit the water for the 30 minute swim challenge. Five teams participated in the event, with one team breaking the goal of 100 pool lengths. Healthy hearts to everyone!
There are a number of water fitness classes offered throughout the week. What a perfect way to stay active and here are the reasons why! Water buoyancy reduces the “weight” of a person, therefore decreases the burden on joints and muscles. Water exercise’s also increases muscle strength. Instead of weight, the water produces a natural resistance to the movements. To find out which class would best suit you, give the pool a call at 250.537.1402. Swimming lessons have started Friday, Feb. 22. With such a high demand additional lessons will be offered over Spring Break. If you are interested in getting your child registered in classes additional swim lessons will be offered during spring break. Schools have been participating in lessons, and will continue till June. The classes have been a great opportunity for youth to learn about how to stay safe in an aquatic environment.
Drop-in to our public sessions and experience the, climbing wall, water slide, rope swing, and blow-up toy. Check out the schedule for our popular Everyone Welcome and Friday Night Madness swims! On Thursday evenings, the Special Olympic swim team holds practices at the pool. The swim team participates in off-island swim meets, and recently in our Swim 4 Heart fundraiser, way to go!
Coming up, we are looking forward to our annual Triathlon on Father's Day (June 16th). Register as an individual or a team - it's a fun way to spend the morning, followed by a BBQ and swim at the pool!
Thrifty Foods Young Chef Camp to run during Spring Break
PARC, together with Thrifty Foods, are offering a fun and energizing week long camp for kids that want to cook. The camp will focus on hands-on nutritional snack preparation for kids 8-12 years old. Participants will learn food skills in the kitchen, food preparation, as well as how to choose tasty and healthy ingredients. The kids will prepare their own yummy snack, and be encouraged to customize their very own recipe book to take home at the end of the week.Held in the SS Middle School teaching kitchen, March 18-22 from 10:00am - 4:00pm, the camp is affordable at $50 for the week. Call the PARC Office at 250.537.4448 to register.
Hiring for Camp Colossal
Summer is coming! PARC is looking for innovative and enthusiastic leaders to create a fantastic experience for participants of its 2013 Camp Colossal day-camp program. Camp Colossal is a Monday to Friday program that takes place in July and August, with a focus on local outdoor activities and crafts for children 5 to 12 years of age. The Camp offers a number of off-island day trips to venues such as the Shaw Discovery Centre and the Chemainus Theatre. More information is available through the PARC office at 250.537.4448.
Recreation Funding Available
The Spring 2013 Grants-in-aid is accepting applications from community organizations. Grants will be awarded to organizations seeking financial assistance for parks and recreation related projects or programs, which directly provide additional recreational facilities, equipment, services or programs for which benefits the community. Funding is awarded on a one-time basis, but under certain circumstances may be applied to on-going programs. The deadline for applications is Friday, March 29. Application forms are available on our website or at the PARC office. For more information call 250.537.4448 or email.
Salt Spring Unlimited Leisure Guide
Our popular and informative Leisure Guide has been in production for three years, and we are preparing for our 7th issue. If you, or your group or association would like to be included in our brochure, or if the current information requires changes, please email the PARC office to let us know. The deadline for submissions is March 29.
"Get Active!" Pass
PARC is pleased to announce another year of its `Get Active !’ program, designed to involve more children in physical activity by increasing their access to our indoor pool facility. All Grade 5 students on Salt Spring Island will be issued a FREE pool pass, valid for 10 admissions to drop-in public swims. The `Get Active !’ passes will be handed out to elementary schools in early March – just in time for Spring Break ! See you at the pool.
Market in the Park
The ever popular Market in the Park, will open for the 2013 season on Saturday of the Easter long weekend, March 30.
Seasonal Vendors - Please renew your Permit no later than February 28, at the PARC office, 145 Vesuvius Bay Road, 8:30am-4:30pm, Monday to Friday. The Seasonal Permit Fee remains at $160 for the 2013 season.
Returning Day Vendors - Please register with the Coordinator on your first day back to the Market.
Potential New Day Vendors - Please email the Market Coordinator to confirm space and eligibility.
The complete Vendor Guidelines can be found online. For more information call 250.537.4448 or email.
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