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The North Grenville Public Library is excited to announce the addition of new outdoor equipment available for loan. Thanks to the 2022 ParticipACTION prize money, the Library has been able to purchase Bocce ball sets, pickleball sets, tennis rackets and balls, KanJam kits and even a metal detector.

The Municipality of North Grenville has won the ParticipACTION Community Challenge three years in a row, earning significant prize money each year. The prize money is used to establish more outdoor recreational opportunities in North Grenville.

“We are thrilled to partner with the North Grenville Public Library and build on the existing recreation lending library which is available to any resident of North Grenville with a library card. The goal is to give residents the chance to try out new sports and activities without having to make immediate large financial investments in equipment,” highlighted Mayor Nancy Peckford.

Having this equipment at the Library makes it easy to borrow, giving residents the opportunity to try out a sport they may not have ever tried before, and to borrow the equipment again if they love it. Other great equipment the Library already has on loan includes disc golf sets, geocaching kits, walking poles, fishing poles and Mapsack outdoor activity kits for the kids.

“Sharing outdoor equipment communally is also a great way to ensure that everyone has access to it, including those who would not be able to purchase it on their own or perhaps just need it once a year,” added Rachel Brown, CEO of the North Grenville Public Library.

All of the new equipment was purchased, and is available, through our friendly Kemptville Canadian Tire store. We hope to add snowshoes to the collection before the first snow falls. (Oops, we said the “s” word!). Come by and check it out.

For more information on the NGPL Lending Library visit: https://ngpl.ca/outdoor-and-sports-equipment/

ParticipACTION Community Challenge – Background

The ParticipACTION Community Challenge is an annual event that encourages Canadians of all ages and abilities to get active. Municipalities compete for the provincial and national Most Active titles by tracking all active minutes for the month of June. Participants track their physical activity minutes on the ParticipAction App or website.

In 2021, North Grenville was crowned Canada’s Most Active Community, after logging over 9 Million Minutes and beating out larger communities. In addition to the title, it also came with $100,000 in prize money.

After consulting with the community, the Council decided the money would be used to expand recreational opportunities in the rural hamlets, including, a new play structure at Crozier Park, Oxford Mills and Oxford Station Park; a new rink house at Bishop Mills Park; and an upgraded basketball court behind the Burritt’s Rapids Community Centre. In addition, a portion of the funds were used to support the establishment of a rebuilt BMX pump track at Riverside Park.

In 2022 and 2023 North Grenville held its title as Ontario’s Most Active Community, earning $7,500 in prize money for each year. Prize money received will go towards expanding North Grenville’s outdoor recreational opportunities.

For more information visit www.northgrenville.ca/GetActive.

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