DurhamLives!

Durham Lives! is looking for an “Action Hero” in the community, dedicated to leading an active lifestyle. Track your physical activity for 4 weeks between October and December and submit your four week activity tracker and you will be entered into a draw to win great prizes. Last year prizes included Raptor tickets, dinner for four, Oshawa Generals family passes, show passes, rec centre memberships, mini-putt and Laser Quest passes and sporting goods gift certificates. For more information email durhamlives@durham.ca.

The goal of the Activity Trails group is to promote trails use, helping more Durham residents get more active more often. Media campaigns are run to promote the Durham Trails map, trails use and physical activity throughout the year. Read more...

The network promotes and supports community gardening in Durham Region in an effort to Beautiful neighbourhoods, increase exercise, build strong sense of community and pride in the property, foster new friendships, support nutritious food to stretch food budgets, increase self esteem, reduce stress, and most of all, gardeners have fun and feel great! Read more...

The purpose of this coalition is to help create an environment that promotes and supports healthy eating in arenas. Arenas have been targeted because they include one of the largest populations of youth outside of school. At the same time the arena is the cornerstone of many communities with people of all ages visiting as participants and spectators. Read more...

The Durham Region Food Charter is a document that outlines the values and beliefs about food in our community. Many communities in Canada have developed food charters to promote their food systems to benefit residents and the environment. The Food Charter was launched on Friday April 25th, 2008 following extensive consulation. Read more...

Geocaching is an exciting new sport for outdoor enthusiasts. Treasure boxes are hidden in secret locations on Durham Region Trails. Using a Global Positioning Device (GPS) and some clues, adventurers are rewarded by finding the hidden geocache box. To increase accessibility to this sport, Durham Lives! partners are initiating a GPS loan program, so that everyone can enjoy this fresh twist on exploring Durham Region Trails. Read more...

To help youth make physical activity a regular part of their life, Durham Lives! partners offer the Grade 5 fitness pass. Every grade 5 student is offered free access to recreation facilities in their community. Take this letter along with proof of age and residence to any of the participating recretion centres for a photo card pass. For more info on this project email durhamlives@durham.ca.

To increase access to physical activity, Durham Lives! partners have engaged some libraries to loan pedometers, resistance bands, GPS units, and even snowshoes. A gym membership is not necessary to be physically active. Get started by exploring your neighbourhood walking trails and parks, or even exercise in your own home. For more information email durhamlives@durham.ca

Durham Lives! partners are offering grants of up to $1000/ school to help promote physical activity and healthy eating. Read more...

Canadians spend a large portion of their time indoors at home. Nearly ½ of Ontarians experience second-hand smoke infiltrating their home (Ipsos Reid, 2007). This project aims to address the problem of invasive second-hand smoke without advocating for legislation. For more information email durhamlives@durham.ca or visit www.toronto.ca/tobaccofreehousing.

Walking is the #1 activity for Canadians? Yet, not all communities are designed for walking. It can be hard to walk to work, to shop or to visit friends in spread-out, car-dependent neighbourhoods. We are investigating what can be done to make our communities more walkable, active and healthy. For more information email durhamlives@durham.ca

To recognize and encourage workplaces who implement policies that address the health and wellness of Durham Region residents, Durham Lives partners sponsor Workplace Wellness Awards in conjunction with local chambers of commerce and boards of trade. For more information email durhamlives@durham.ca