Physical Activity Strategy 2013-2018
Town of Shelburne, Municipality of the District of Shelburne & Town of Lockeport
Background-Municipal Physical Activity Leadership Program
In 2006, the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness (DHW), formally the Department of Health Promotion and Protection, developed the Municipal Physical Activity Leadership (MPAL) program. The MPAL program is a cost-shared partnership between municipalities and the Department of Health & Wellness. A staff person, hired by the municipality, is responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of a comprehensive physical activity strategy. The strategy's aim is to raise awareness and increase participation in structured and unstructured physical activity at a local level. Neighbouring municipalities can also partner to create a common strategy and pool resources.
Town of Shelburne and Municipality of the District of Shelburne
In 2005, the Town of Shelburne and Municipality of the District of Shelburne hired a part-time Community Use Coordinator to oversee the community use program at the newly constructed Shelburne Regional High School. In 2006, the Town of Shelburne and Municipality of the District of Shelburne had an opportunity to expand the jointly funded Community Use Coordinator position and join the MPAL program. The two positions were combined into a full-time position, known as the Physical Activity & Community School Coordinator. Both municipal units joined the partnership for a 5-year commitment. The Town of Shelburne and the Municipality of the District of Shelburne was the second municipalities in the province to join the MPAL program. A working group was created in 2006, which consisted of the Physical Activity & Community School Coordinator, staff from each municipal unit, DHW staff and community partners. The working group acted as an advisory group for the development and implementation of the physical activity strategy. The first physical activity strategy was developed in 2007. Over the next 5 years, a number of initiatives were implemented.
In 2012, a provincial committee was formed to create an evaluation process for the MPAL program. We were represented on the Evaluation Committee by the Director of Recreation and Parks (MDS). The evaluation aimed to gain insight into the impact the MPAL program was having at a local level. Three independent evaluation studies were completed in Annapolis County, Municipality of Chester and Town of Shelburne & Municipality of Shelburne. The recommendations from the MPAL evaluation in the Town and Municipality of Shelburne were incorporated into the renewed strategy.
In September 2013, work began on renewing the Physical Activity Strategy. A series of 9 public consultations were completed, along with youth focus groups and an online survey. Data from the Provincial MPAL evaluation, provincial & national reports, along with the IPSOS Reid community surveys were also consulted.
Town of Lockeport
In April 2013, the Town of Lockeport joined the MPAL partnership with the Town of Shelburne and the Municipality of the District of Shelburne. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the municipalities and the Department of Health and Wellness committing to a 5 year renewal of the MPAL program. A community meeting and youth focus groups were conducted in the Town of Lockeport and representatives from the Town joined the working group. Membership in the working group has changed over the years, but it still provides guidance for the strategy and is now referred to as The Keep It Moving Working Group. The research gathered was presented to the Working Group to guide them in the development of the renewed strategy. The renewed strategy aims to build on the work that was completed in the first strategy.
Find out more by downloading the pdf Physical Activity Strategy (890 KB) .
For more information contact:
Ben Himmelman
Physical Activity and Community School Coordinator
Town of Shelburne, Municipality of Shelburne & Town of Lockeport
PO Box 699
Shelburne, NS B0T 1W0
Phone: (902) 875-2831
Email: benn.himmelman@municipalityofshelburne.ca
Office: Room 123, Shelburne Regional High School