The City of Pickering has been awarded Gold Youth Friendly Community Builder status from Play Works!, the Ontario Partnership for Active Youth.

The Play Works Organization acknowledges distinct communities that go above and beyond to ensure their youth (ages 13 - 19) have continuous access to a diversity of 'play'. “Play” meaning everything from sports, recreation, drama, dance, music, the arts, volunteerism, leadership development, service leadership and/or civic engagement.    In 2005, the City of Pickering was one of the first municipalities in Ontario to receive the distinguished recognition of “Youth Friendly Community” by Play Works!

Now, in 2011, the City of Pickering is once again recognized with Gold Youth Friendly Community Builder status.  This status is an important recognition of Pickering’s excellence in the area of youth service delivery and of its ongoing commitment to youth development.    Special thanks to all of the Pickering youth service agencies that contributed to the application.   This recognition is shared with this close community of youth service agencies.   Together, we are providing exceptional services to Pickering’s youth – our most precious resource.

Visit the PlayWorks website

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The City of Pickering Free Teen Open House event was held at East Shore Community Centre on May 5, 2011.  This event was held in commemoration of National Youth Week and in celebration of Pickering’s Bicentennial.

At the event, which welcomed Dignitaries, Youth Service Delivery Partners and Youth Program participants, Marisa Carpino, Supervisor, Culture & Recreation received a certificate from Mayor David Ryan on behalf of the City of Pickering proclaiming
May 1-7, 2011 as Youth Week.

At the event, Marisa Carpino also announced that the City of Pickering had just been advised by Parks & Recreation Ontario (PRO) that they have received Gold Youth Friendly Community Builder status from their most recent Youth Friendly Community Application.   The Youth Friendly Community program is coordinated by PlayWorks Ontario (of which PRO is a part).   A Youth Friendly community is one that actively supports and provides opportunities for the growth and development of youth (ages 13 to 19) through play.  The City of Pickering has been a Youth Friendly Community since 2005 and is pleased to retain this status.

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In 2009, the City of Pickering received distinguished recognition as a Youth Friendly Community by Play Works!, the Ontario Partnership for Active Youth.

Pickering Mayor David Ryan, City of Pickering staff responsible for youth programs and PAC 4 Teens members (Pickering Activity Council 4 Teens) were in attendance on October 27, 2009 at Queen’s Park in Toronto to receive this distinguished recognition!