WELCOME TO ACE COMMUNITIES!

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We invite you to join us as we work to enhance the quality of life in rural Alberta by strengthening community leadership, collaboration, and innovation through recreation, parks, arts, culture and heritage. ACE Communities – Active, Creative and Engaged Communities – is an initiative of the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA) designed to get More people. More Active. More Often. We know that recreation, parks, arts, culture and heritage significantly improves the well-being of individual Albertans and the development of healthy, vital communities. What hasn’t always been quite as clear is how to ensure these potential benefits are implemented …

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ACE Seeking Partner Communities - Apply!

Interested in learning about potential support that is available to improve the quality of life in rural Alberta by developing community leadership and community development in your community? The Active, Creative, Engaged Communities (ACE) initiative, spearheaded by Alberta Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA), is designed to enhance quality of life in rural Alberta by strengthening community leadership, collaboration, and innovation through recreation, parks, arts, culture, and heritage. Rural communities of all sizes are considered including cities, villages, hamlets, or communities. Unfortunately, Calgary and Edmonton are not eligible for partnering. The ACE Communities initiative is made possible as the result of …

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What is an ACE Community?

Active, creative, engaged communities are reflected in: High levels of citizens who are physically and socially active and engaged An emphasis placed on creativity, social capital and social cohesion… quality of life Communities where people want to live, work, play and visit Characteristics of an ACE Community: diverse recreation and active living opportunities a sense of belonging citizens involved in decision making strong volunteer involvement inviting, sustainable design a high quality of life available and accessible to all

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Background and Context

ACE Communities is a direct response to a number of disturbing trends that have, or will have, an impact on the quality of life. These trends include: • An increase in diseases related to inactivity including more than doubled rates of obesity since 1985 leading to diabetes and hypertension • Substantial increase in chronic conditions (among low-income families) • Voluntary sector funding cutbacks that have resulted in a loss of infrastructure, labour market shortages, and knowledge capital • A preoccupation with the bottom line financial results that has overridden “public good outcomes” • Devolution of responsibility from senior levels of …

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