News Release                              For Immediate Release

                                                                                                                         June 26, 2012

Longest Day of PLAY Results

The intense heat and humidity didn’t deter activity for the Longest Day of PLAY, held on June 21. The Longest Day of PLAY is a community-based challenge to encourage Grey Bruce residents to get more active. Trophies were awarded to the municipalities who log the most number of PLAY hours.

The second annual Longest Day of PLAY challenge marked the first day of summer and the longest day of the year. Awards from the Longest Day of PLAY were presented to the top three participating municipalities at the “PLAY Celebration” held at the Grey Bruce Health Unit, Monday, June 25. The occasion also marked the five year anniversary of the PLAY in Bruce Grey physical activity strategy.

This event featured Bill Walker, MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound and Deputy Critic for Health (Rural and Northern), with the keynote address from Dr. Mark Tremblay, Director, Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group. Dr. Tremblay is world-renown for his work in addressing the childhood obesity epidemic. 

“The 2012 Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card identified the promotion of active play as key to improving the failing grade repeatedly assigned.” says Dr. Tremblay. “The Grey Bruce Longest Day of Play is a brilliant example of how community partners can collaborate to enhance the active play of our children and youth and in so doing, promote the health and well-being of our communities.”

“The program ‘PLAY in Bruce Grey’ is so important for our children and their families.” says Bill Walker, “The goal is to become active, be active, and stay active by increasing the levels of physical activity through sports and leisure activities, leading to better health, and wellbeing among our citizens in our communities.”

The top three municipalities in the 2012 Longest Day of Play challenge are:

Saugeen Shores - 3582 hours

Grey Highlands - 3032 hours

Brockton - 2491 hours                       

To view full municipal results and community highlights from the Longest Day of PLAY, please visit www.playbrucegrey.com.

PLAY in Bruce Grey encourages you to get active by “PLAY’ing your way, every day!”

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For more information:

Jason Weppler – Health Promoter

Grey Bruce Health Unit

519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext 1408

j.weppler@publichealthgreybruce.on.ca