What is an Equipment Loan Program?
Equipment loan programs provide equipment for free or low-cost with the intention of self-directed recreational use. These programs help to increase recreational opportunities in communities. Programs are maintained by a wide variety of organizations, including, but not limited to, municipalities, community centres and groups, non-profit organizations and provincial recreation organizations. Equipment Loan Programs in Nova Scotia offer a wide variety of recreational equipment such as kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddle boards, skates, snowshoes, bikes and sporting equipment. Organizations are also adding adaptive equipment to their loan programs such as hippocampes, sledges, accessible bikes and accessible sleds. Recreation Nova Scotia is happy to support recreation practitioners in navigating the logistics of starting and maintaining an equipment loan program.
For more information or support, please contact
Equipment Loan Community of Practice
Recreation Nova Scotia has launched a new Equipment Loan Program Community of Practice which will give program managers and staff an opportunity to come together and share best practices, learn about new initatives and ways to improve their programs. The first Community of Practice took place on November 26th and had 30 participants. The first session focused on the development of the Community of Practice and reviewing data on Equipment Loan Programs throughout Nova Scotia.
In 2026, the Community of Practice will take place on: February 26th, May 26th, August 26th and November 26th.
A Equipment Loan Program directory is being created. Community of Practice members will have access to the directory, which will help connect managers and staff to leaders in equipment loan throughout the province.
To join the Community of Practice, email Kerri at
Equipment Loan Program Resources
The following promotional video was created to encourage the use of adapted equipment to promote physical activity and was developed by the Northern Inclusion and Access Committee in 2022.
The following links are resources to support the development and maintenance of equipment loan programs.
- pdf ‘How-to’ Equipment Loan Program Guide(19.98 MB)
- pdf Adapted Equipment Resource(25.27 MB)
- Summary of Equipment Loan Share and Discuss
2023 Equipment Loan Grant
Recreation Nova Scotia is happy to announce we have received over 60 applicants for the 2023 Equipment Loan Program grant with a provincial ask of over $300,000.00! Congratulations to the 38 recipients who were successful in their applications.