Physical Activity Programs

Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) provides a wide variety of programs that can help you, your family, and your community to improve their understanding physical activity; reduce their sedentary behaviour in all areas; and increase their overall physical literacy skills.

You can contact your local health unit office for current offerings in your community as well as if you want to find out more.

Community challenges

We promote physical activity community challenges throughout the year to increase participation in physical activity or reduce sitting. These challenges encourage people of all ages to be active at work, home, school and play to promote the development of healthy habits.

You can contact your local health unit office for current offerings in your community as well as if you want to find out more.

Open Streets

Open Streets is a community-based program that encourages community members to gather, socialize, walk, run, bike, dance or participate in other activities on selected local streets by temporarily closing streets to motorized traffic. Open streets encourage all forms of active transportation and typically involve complimentary activities from local groups or businesses.  

We work with community partners and municipalities to provide access to safe, open streets.

You can contact your local health unit office for current offerings in your community as well as if you want to find out more.

Playground stencils

We have a variety of playground stencils available for loan. Application and game instructions are included with each stencil. Learn more by reading our Playground Stencil Program Poster.

Pop-up play and play streets

Pop up play and play streets encourages physical activity and play close to home and provides children and communities with a communal space to get active. It helps connect families, neighbours, and communities. These programs may take place in local parks, gyms, schools, green spaces, or large, open spaces.  

NWHU works with community partners and municipalities to provide access to safe, open areas for kids to play. We also support the planning of events and delivery of activities, including supplying equipment and supervising of play.

You can contact your local health unit office for current offerings in your community as well as if you want to find out more.

Walking programs

We support individuals and groups in getting active by organizing a wide variety of types of walking groups. Examples may include: 

• hall walkers 
• paws-itive steps (dog walking) 
• stroller-walking 
• geocachers 
• urban/Nordic poling 
• trail walkers 
• log your steps group challenge; or 
• online walking groups.   

Walking groups are for people of all ages and abilities.

You can contact your local health unit office for current offerings in your community as well as if you want to find out more.