A summer of joy and connection

Medicine Hat Public School Division and City partnership offers free outdoor activities for youth.

With over 100 parks in Medicine Hat, both residents and visitors can explore a rich variety of green spaces to connect and create memories.

For the second consecutive summer, the Parks and Recreation department at the City of Medicine Hat and the Medicine Hat Public School Division have partnered to offer the ‘Medicine Hat Free Play’ program, hosted in numerous parks and playgrounds across the city.

"This program focuses on connecting families, enabling children to explore, learn, and grow, and leveraging the beautiful parks we are fortunate to have in our city,” says Jennifer Usher, Medicine Hat Free Play and Community Programming Facilitator at Medicine Hat Public School Division.

Designed for children of all ages, the program's time and location rotates to ensure accessibility to a broad and diverse audience.

“Let's move, let's pretend, let's build, and let's get messy are the themes that guide our play sessions," says Usher. "They were developed by the early childhood coalition over five years ago and have become the core of our activities today."

With sessions held in various parks across the city for 1.5 hours, the program ensures accessibility to a diverse range of families. On average, about 40 people (children and caregivers) join each session, sometimes closer to 60.

"Children learn through play, and it doesn't have to cost a lot to help them grow," says Usher. "We've seen children develop, families connect, and communities come together. We are grateful for the partnership with the City and hope to continue to offer this program for the foreseeable future.”

"This partnership with the School District is vital to the City. Our community is so diverse, so offering programming for families and kids is essential," says Mark Risdon, Recreation Program Coordinator with the City of Medicine Hat Parks and Recreation department. "Having a Subject Matter Expert in child development (Jen) lead this program has been fantastic. We are fortunate to have so many green, public spaces, and it's great to expose our kids and residents to the incredible amenities in our city."

August 2023 - Free Play Schedule:

August 9 at 5:30 p.m. - Big Marble Go Centre Playground
August 10 at 10 a.m. – Saamis Rotary Playground
August 11 at 1 p.m. – Kin Coulee Park (Toboggan Hill)
August 16 at 5:30 p.m. – Ross Glen Waterpark
August 17 at 1 p.m. – Kin Coulee Park (Toboggan Hill)
August 18 at 10 a.m. – Saamis Rotary Playground

To find out more about the program, session timings, and how to join, visit the Medicine Hat Free Play Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Medicinehatfreeplay. 

Special thanks to Sanare Centre for volunteering your staff to support the program!