News
Recreation Nova Scotia participates in Canadian Parks and Recreation Association's Forward Together Summit
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Recreation Nova Scotia (RNS) staff and board members travelled to Ottawa last week to participate in the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA)’s Forward Together: A Summit for Collective Impact, joining national colleagues to advance the role of recreation and parks in building healthy, connected communities.- Launching a national Collective Impact model to renew the Framework for Recreation in Canada
- Establishing a $100M annual Recreation Infrastructure Renewal Program
- Creating a $2M annual crisis-preparedness fund
- Positioning CPRA as a national partner for youth workforce development
EDIA Highlight: Hike Nova Scotia's Hiking Buddies Workshop
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Kerri Jack
"My takeaway is that helping the blind with hiking is 90% communication skills and 10% hiking" - Hiking Buddies Workshop Participant
Hike Nova Scotia is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting a culture of hiking throughout the province. They advocate for people and organizations who enjoy hiking, walking, and snowshoeing. This month, Recreation Nova Scotia is highlighting Hike Nova Scotia’s Hiking Buddies program, a workshop designed to help blind and partially sighted hikers enjoy the trails.
The program includes a workshop that trains volunteers on how to assist blind and partially sighted individuals safely and effectively while hiking. The ultimate goal is to create a network of volunteers who can help blind or partially sighted hikers not just individually, but also during organized hiking events, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to explore the outdoors. The concept for the Hiking Buddies workshop originated from Milena Khazanavicius, a blind hiker who wanted to share her passion for hiking with others facing similar challenges. Milena, a well-respected advocate for the blind and partially sighted community in Halifax, has extensive experience teaching workshops and volunteering with organizations like ReachAbility and the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB). Hike Nova Scotia applied for and utilized funding through the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage to create the workshop.
During the workshop, sighted participants were given the chance to experience hiking from a blind or partially sighted person’s perspective. This hands-on approach teaches them the skills needed to guide someone safely on various types of trails. The initial workshop was met with enthusiasm, generating interest and media coverage prompting Hike Nova Scotia to organize a follow-up workshop. Feedback from participants highlighted the impact of the workshop. Many praised Milena’s passionate facilitation, emphasizing the importance of communication in assisting blind hikers. Participants appreciated the unique opportunity to understand the experience of needing guidance while hiking, helping to break down barriers and stigmas associated with sight loss.
With a growing number of trained volunteers, Hike Nova Scotia now faces the challenge of securing funding to help blind and partially sighted hikers access trails regularly. Transportation remains a significant barrier, and finding resources to support these efforts is crucial. Hike Nova Scotia is committed to collaborating with community groups that serve individuals with sight loss to expand their outreach. So far, the organization has hosted two Hiking Buddies workshops and is hosting it’s first ever “Escape to the Trails” event on November 30th.
Their hope is to continue offering more Hiking Buddies workshops and create enjoyable hiking experiences specifically catered to blind and partially sighted hikers. Through the dedication of volunteers and advocates like Milena Khazanavicius, Hike Nova Scotia is working to ensure that the great outdoors is accessible for everyone, fostering inclusivity and love for across the province.
Learn more about the Hiking buddies Program on the Hike Nova Scotia website https://www.hikenovascotia.ca/courses-hiking-buddies/ and watch their story on Global News https://globalnews.ca/video/11249299/workshop-teaches-how-to-assist-blind-hikers-on-the-trail and the CBC https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6807462.
Equipment Loan Program Community of Practice
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Recreation Nova Scotia is excited to announce the creation of a new Community of Practice (CoP) aimed at supporting Equipment Loan Programs (ELPs) across the province. The first meeting of the CoP will take place on November 26th, 2025 from 10:30am to 12:00pm. Those interested can email Kerri Jack at
RNS announces the 2025 Honourary Lifetime Member Award recipient: Mary Lou MacPherson
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“After graduation, I was fortunate to spend five summers working as a recreation leader. It was a full-circle moment—moving from participant to leader—and it confirmed for me that recreation was not only something I loved, but something I wanted to dedicate my life to. Those summers were the true catalyst that led me to a career as a physical educator, where I could continue fostering the same opportunities for others that I had once been given.” - Mary Lou MacPherson
Recreation Nova Scotia’s most prestigious award recognizes an individual who has made outstanding, significant, and consistent contributions to recreation in Nova Scotia for over 20 years, has left full-time association with the field, and is someone the community wishes to acknowledge publicly. RNS is thrilled to announce that this year’s award will be presented to Mary Lou MacPherson at the 2025 RNS Conference taking place in Sydney, Cape Breton on Wednesday, October 22.
Mary Lou MacPherson’s athletic and professional journey is a testament to passion, perseverance, and a trailblazing spirit. Born in Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, she first discovered her love of sport in her backyard, playing baseball with neighbourhood kids. When she was barred from Little League due to gender restrictions, she turned that setback into motivation—embracing opportunities offered by the local summer recreation program.
Those programs quickly became the highlight of her days. Each morning, she would run to the ball field for softball, and in the afternoons, she was in the gym, playing basketball, floor hockey, or whatever activity was on offer. These formative experiences not only provided a safe and welcoming place to play but also sparked a lifelong passion for sport, recreation, and community.
Mary Lou went on to shine in basketball, serving as the starting point guard at Nova Scotia Teachers College, where she majored in physical education. She later earned her Bachelor of Education from St. Francis Xavier University before beginning a 40-year career in education with the Northside and Cape Breton-Victoria School Boards. She served as both a physical education teacher and an Active Healthy Living Consultant, making lasting contributions at the school, district, and provincial levels.
Her career highlights include:
• Innovation & Creativity – initiated and established school-wide theme days that became a beloved tradition, fostering creativity and a strong sense of community. Additionally, created unique opportunities for students to participate in activities they might not otherwise have the chance to experience, encouraging innovation and broadening their horizons.
• Student Connections – Built lifelong bonds with students, such as one Primary child who, after initially refusing PE, became a devoted participant and still visits her today.
• Partnerships – As a champion of Health Promoting Schools in the Cape Breton region, was at the forefront of the partnership for many years, supporting schools in reaching healthy living goals along with partners from Public Health, the provincial government (CCTH) and municipal recreation.
• Coaching Leadership – Coached basketball, softball, and soccer at multiple levels.
• Consultant Work (25 years) – Organized the district-wide torch relay and track and field; pioneered the use of iPads in PE; launched a district-wide curling program; introduced Girls Play 2; and championed initiatives such as Mindfulness in Schools, Restorative Practices, and Active Smarter Kids.
• Professional Leadership – Chaired and presented at Teachers Association for Physical & Health Education (TAPHE) conferences, served on the Quality Daily Physical Education (QDPE) National Committee, and co-authored PE and Health curriculum.
Her excellence has been recognized with numerous honours, including the TAPHE Dorothy Walker Award, the NSTU Teaching in Excellence Award, and induction into the Northside Sports Hall of Fame. As an athlete, she continues to excel—winning the Seaview Golf Club championships 22 times and capturing a gold medal in hockey at the National 55+ Games.
Beyond her career, Mary Lou is an active participant in many sports and activities, including golf, hockey, curling, cross-country skiing, pickleball, and hiking. Her lifelong dedication to recreation has inspired countless students, colleagues, and community members, making her a most deserving recipient of the 2025 Recreation Nova Scotia Honourary Lifetime Member Award.
There are still tickets available to attend the RNS Awards Banquet on October 22. Find details about the 2025 RNS Conference and register for the conference and/or the banquet at https://www.recreationns.ns.ca/rns-annual-conference.html. Registration deadline is this Friday, October 10. Following this date, please email Lisa at
New Recreation Leadership Training - Project Update
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Recreation Nova Scotia (RNS) is excited to launch the first phase of developing a new Recreation Leadership Training Program, a new initiative designed to strengthen leadership capacity and provide high-quality accessible training tools.
Funded by the Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage (CCTH), this project will develop a modern, inclusive, and accessible training to support recreation leaders at the community level.
Through extensive sector engagement, collaborative design, and a strong focus on equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging, this work will help ensure that recreation professionals have the tools and confidence to support communities through recreation programming across the province.
To guide the project, RNS has engaged J. Griffin Consulting, in partnership with Ready4 Consulting, as the lead consultant team. Led by Jillian Griffin, the team brings over 40 years of combined experience in recreation leadership training, adult education, inclusive program design, and sector engagement across Nova Scotia.
“This project is an important step in supporting the future of recreation leadership training in Nova Scotia,” said Graham Mounsey, Executive Director of Recreation Nova Scotia.
“With the support of CCTH and the expertise of J. Griffin Consulting and Ready4 Consulting, we’re excited for the process underway and the resultant training that meets the demand for the sector in Nova Scotia”
Phase One of the project will include convening a steering committee, an environmental scan, and engagement via focus groups with recreation leaders and other interested groups, including at the RNS Annual Conference. Knowledge and input will be gathered to design a practical, outcome-driven training that meets the needs of recreation professionals across diverse contexts.
The first phase is expected to conclude in early 2026 with implementation planning taking place in Spring 2026 before a launch in May-June 2026.
By investing in leadership development, and with the continued support of the Province of Nova Scotia, RNS aims to ensure the recreation sector continues to grow, adapt, and deliver inclusive, high-quality recreation experiences for all in Nova Scotia.
Sharing Back: What We Heard from Nova Scotia in the Renewal of the Framework for Recreation in Canada
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In October 2024, during 'CPRA Day' at the RNS Conference, Recreation Nova Scotia members shared their views to help shape the renewal of the Framework for Recreation in Canada. This large in-person consultation in Antigonish, led by Canadian Parks & Recreation Association, added to data from subsequent surveys as well as focus groups focused on emerging priorities and specific sub-groups. Nova Scotia was represented in focus groups on topics such as the arts within recreation and recreation's role in responding to emergencies such as wildfires.
Nova Scotia voices played an important role in identifying the opportunities and challenges facing our sector today. This makes up a part of the national consultation process that engaged more than 2,500 participants. Through this process, several messages emerged:
- The renewed Framework must be practical and actionable—with tools and examples that front-line practitioners can use.
- There is strong support for shared national measurements that demonstrate the value of recreation and help align our work with public health, education, and climate priorities.
- Participants emphasised the need to strengthen collaboration across sectors—from housing and health to education and the environment.
- Recreation must be recognized and funded as a vital public service, not just an optional add-on.
- Equity, belonging, and accessibility need to be built in from the start, ensuring that programs, spaces, and staffing reflect the diversity of our communities.
- The Framework must be flexible and adaptable, ready to respond to challenges like climate change, mental wellness, workforce development, and affordability.
- Lastly, there was an importance placed on both land and water-based recreation, affordable access to facilities, and understanding and emphasising the essential role recreation plays in supporting community health and resilience
These contributions are now shaping the next phase of the Framework renewal, which will focus on creating tools, shared measurements, and a model to help make this information actionable for the sector.
We extend our thanks to all who participated in-person and online. You are helping to ensure that the renewed Framework reflects both national priorities and the unique realities of recreation and parks in Nova Scotia.
Access the pdf Full Summary of Findings(9.81 MB)
Stay up to date on the Renewal of the Framework for Recreation in Canada