The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake is excited about the return of its Play in the Park initiative, a free, drop-in recreation program encouraging children, youth, and young adults to engage in unstructured outdoor play.
Following the success of last year’s summer program, which welcomed over 500 participants, this year’s initiative is expanding with new equipment, an updated weekly schedule, and an exciting new partnership with the Niagara-on-the-Lake Public Library.
Weekly Schedule (Starting July 14)
- Monday: Sparky’s Park (9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
- Tuesday: Virgil Sports Park (9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
- Wednesday: No Programming
- Thursday: Queenston Village Commons (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.), Niagara-on-the-Green Park (1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
- Friday: Memorial Park (9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
No registration is needed; just drop in and enjoy the fun! Town Staff will be on-site with activities ready to go. Children under six must be accompanied by a caregiver aged 14 or older.
New Partnership with NOTL Public Library
Every Monday, Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Pop-Up Library will join the Play in the Park programming at Sparky’s Park from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. On Monday afternoons, you can find the Pop-Up Library at Niagara-on-the-Green Park from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Families can enjoy Storytime, Creation Station crafts, Summer Reading Club meetups, and access to a mini browsing and checkout station with books for all ages. Learn more about NOTL Public Library’s summer programming by visiting https://notlpubliclibrary.org/
New Equipment Now Available
The Play in the Park trailer, newly designed by Town Staff and funded through the 2024 and 2025 NOTL Golf Classic Tournaments, is stocked with a variety of inclusive and skill-building recreation gear for participants of all ages and abilities:
- Golf-Themed Play: Pop-up disc golf, jumbo golf targets, beginner clubs with ultra-short-range balls
- Active Play: Flag football set, lacrosse set, ladder toss, kickball
- Softball Gear: Youth softball set with gloves
- Inclusive Equipment: Sensory balls, parachute activities, tunnels, oversized racquets
These additions aim to enhance accessibility, support physical literacy, and provide diverse recreational experiences across Town parks.
Play in the Park program details are available at: www.notl.com/programs-youth-family. If you have any questions, please contact programs@notl.com or 905-468-4FUN (4386)
The Town hopes you come out to Play in the Park with us this summer!
Quotes:
“Play in the Park offers inclusive, engaging, and free activities for all ages, helping to achieve Council’s Strategic Plan action item of developing additional family and youth programming. By reaching all villages, we are working to build a stronger, more connected community through recreation.” — Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa
“This initiative reflects our commitment to creating vibrant public spaces, and I want to thank Town Staff whose creativity and collaboration make programs like this possible.” — CAO Nick Ruller
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Media contact:
Marah Minor, Communications Coordinator
905-468-3266 | communications@notl.com