Shifting Systems through an Outdoor Play Policy in Nova Scotia

Let’s Play!

Outdoor play matters. 

Children and youth deserve accessible outdoor spaces to confidently and safely move, play, socialize, and be a part of their communities. 

This is the story of the Town of Truro, with support from UpLift, shifting systems by creating policy change that centres outdoor play for children and youth in their community. 

We’re thrilled to share this publication describing the partnership between UpLift and the Town of Truro in the successful development and adoption of a municipal outdoor play policy that benefits children, youth and their communities.

Together with the Town of Truro, we hosted workshops for municipal staff, community leaders and partners to share content about the importance of outdoor play, best practices for youth engagement, how to develop a policy, and how policy actions can support outdoor play. The workshop participants then brainstormed their ideas for policy actions for Truro that would increase opportunities for outdoor play for children and youth. 

Following the workshops, a small team from the municipality and UpLift drafted an outdoor play policy and submitted it to Truro town council for approval. The outdoor play policy was adopted in Fall 2021 and has since informed recreation and municipal planning decisions. We’d like to thank and acknowledge Ashley Simms, the Truro Recreation Director for her vision and leadership in this project.  

We hope other communities may be inspired to develop and adopt their own outdoor play policies to benefit children and youth in their communities. 

Read the full publication here

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