Partying it up at Baly Park

The first installment of the Town of Whitecourt’s Park Parties took place on Wednesday last week. The
event kickstarted last year to get residents out of their homes and into local parks to meet their
neighbours. The event continued through the winter, with two parties, and each was well attended.
Members of the Whitecourt Fire Department and Whitecourt RCMP attend the events to meet
everyone and have a bite to eat. With a firetruck in tow and Sparky the Fire Dog making his rounds, the
children have fun getting up close and personal with emergency services staff.
The events happen thanks to a trio partnership between the Town of Whitecourt, the Rotary Club of
Whitecourt, and the P.O.W.E.R Group (People of Whitecourt Encouraging Resiliency). The first Park
Party of the summer took place at Baly Park, across from the Whitecourt Golf & Country Club. Rotarians
cooked up hot dogs and served snacks and drinks, all free. Whitecourt IGA graciously donated hot dog
buns.
“It’s a time for the community to get together and have some fun, play some games, and have a free hot
dog while joining in with the community spirit,” explained Holly Astill, Service Projects Coordinator for
the Rotary Club of Whitecourt. “The Rotary club focuses on families and children, and this is another
way of bringing the family together and increasing our presence in the community so that people know
who we are and what we stand for.” Astill said she likes seeing families coming together to enjoy the
events and meeting their neighbours, some of whom they may not know yet. “I also like seeing friends
come together to enjoy the park and enjoy the atmosphere of a BBQ in the community and the
community spirit that comes from that.”
Tina Prodaniuk, Crime Prevention Coordinator for the Town of Whitecourt, shared a booth with
Courtney Koopmans, Health Promotion Facilitator with AHS, and both shared information about
programs and community supports in place. “When it comes to crime prevention, getting to know your
neighbours is such an important part of it so we can watch out for each other. Even with the recent
events in the community, it’s good to know each other because you never know what might happen. It’s
about encouraging community members to come back together,” said Prodaniuk.
There were pamphlets about being scam savvy, the Capture Program, the Family Support Program, elder
abuse, and Meals on Wheels. Prodaniuk also had a one-question questionnaire asking if people had met
someone they didn’t know at the event. After placing their sticker under the answer that most fit their
experience, participants were entered into a draw for a lawn game, perfect for future neighbourly get-
togethers.
On the AHS side of the table, Koopmans had books about adults being there for children. “Eating
together is a big one, and sometimes we forget to do it in our busy lives. If we can just sit and have a
meal together, it can have a big impact,” she said. There were books from the local library on display,
including books on art.
Beside the booth, on the grass, laid a long canvas. “Today we have our Canvas Jam happening, which is
sponsored by the P.O.W.E.R Group,” explained Prodaniuk. “We are going to get community artwork
from community members and put it up on display. Over this season’s three park parties, we will have

this canvas out, and we might have two or three canvases depending on how filled up they get, and then
we will take pictures of them and put them up in the bus shelters as Whitecourt’s art done by
Whitecourt, for Whitecourt.”
Prodaniuk said that art could benefit mental health, which is where the idea first came to Koopmans.
“Some of the research I’m looking at now is about how public art helps promotes the health and
wellness of communities, both mental and physical. It also shows that it decreases cortisol levels, so we
are trying to promote that, and I thought this was the best way to do that,” said Koopmans.
“Once we finish the bus stop ads, we want to share it with the community. Maybe it can go up in the
windows of some of the empty buildings in the downtown so that people can enjoy it.” Koopmans said
last year’s Park Party events were a big hit. “It showcased community coming together in their
backyards and through COVID, which we all know kept everyone inside, we are trying to promote
getting everyone back outside.”
Prodaniuk said they plan to do the winter parties again this year. Unlike the summer ones, which are in
backyard parks and are more neighbourhood-focused, the winter ones focus on the community and
take place at the toboggan hill or an outdoor skating rink. “We look forward to the winter ones again.
It’s winter here for such a big part of the year, so we might as well enjoy it,” she chuckled. Koopmans
said they plan on doing something disco-themed too. “Keep an eye out for that one!”
The next Park Party is scheduled for Wednesday, July 26, from 5:30-7:30 pm at Southland Park (2 Park
Drive). The final installment of the summer series will be at Wagoner Park on Wednesday, August 23, at
the same time. If anyone has any ideas for future events, contact the P.O.W.E.R Group on Facebook.