Here’s how you can access free sports equipment like basketballs at Ottawa parks

The city is officially launching a program offering free sports equipment at some Ottawa parks. CTV’s Peter Szperling reports.

A new program offering free sports equipment like basketballs in Ottawa parks has officially launched.

On Thursday morning, children from Cambridge Street Public School were joined by officials at St. Luke’s Park in downtown Ottawa to mark the kick-off of the program.

“This is just a brilliant innovation,” said Canadian Olympian and the Hon. Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State for Sport.

“Today’s launch exemplifies our collective and mutual commitment to make sport more accessible for all children and youth, regardless of their background, circumstances, or whether or not they have a basketball. This is removing barriers to sport participation.”

The initiative, in collaboration with The City of Ottawa, Equip Sport and Canadian Tire Jumpstart, provides free sports equipment at fifty lockers throughout the city.

“One thing that deters kids everywhere in our country and everywhere around the world from being able to access sport, that is the cost of participation,” says Marco Di Buono, President of Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities.

“And that’s why we need really innovative solutions. This isn’t just about continuing the fun sport, it’s about coming up with innovative ways to overcome a barrier like that.”

According to Di Buono, Ottawa is the second city in Canada to deploy these lockers, following Surrey, B.C.,

“We’re already seeing tremendous uptake. About 3000 users per week. In places where we have these lockers installed, we’ve got kids of all abilities, kids of all ages, girls, boys borrowing sports equipment for free and being able to participate in their local communities.”

Children had an opportunity to shoot some hoops with both van Koeverden, as well Canada’s first female five-time Olympian in athletics, Charmaine Crooks.

“Seeing that reminds me of when I was growing up as a kid and how much fun sport is. That’s where it all starts. It starts with having fun and having the community give kids the access to that. So by helping to facilitate that, we feel that we’re just doing just a little bit to make the world of kids a lot more positive through the power of sport,” Crooks said.

How does it work?

The lockers require the use of the Equip Sport app, which can be downloaded for free on Android and Apple devices.

The app allows users to find and unlock available lockers. It also shows what equipment is available in the lockers.

Di Buono tells CTV News Ottawa no credit card or payment is required to access the lockers.

He says currently there are lockers equipped with Basketballs and Soccerballs installed throughout the city.

“Right now we’re trying to match the equipment with the need we see in communities which is predominantly basketball, soccer and things like that. But as we get more information from the kids and the different pieces that will install in different parks, we’ll know what they want to play and we’ll replace that equipment, respectively,” Di Buono said.

He says there are plans for “for pickleball, for softball, for baseball. There’s also light exercise equipment like resistance bands and things like that for older participants who want to use them as well.”

The lockers are mounted on existing city infrastructure and are fully maintained, monitored, and restocked by Equip Sport, according to the city.

Users will be able to report any damaged or missing equipment directly through the app. The items inside are free to use thanks to Canadian Tire Jumpstart funding.

Where is it available?

According to the City of Ottawa, the lockers are located in the following parks:

• Alexander Park, 960 Silver St.
• Arnott Park, 691 Hartman Cres.
• Balena Park, 1640 Devon St.
• Bellevue Manor Park, 1475 Caldwell Ave.
• Brantwood Park, 39 Onslow Cres.
• Brewer Park, 100 Brewer Way
• Canterbury Park, 2185 Arch St.
• Carson Grove Park, 1423 Matheson Rd.
• Cecil Morrison Park, 1332 Avenue O
• Cedarcroft Park, 1200 Cedarcroft Cres.
• Chaudière Park, 68 Elm St.
• City Centre Park, 1800 City Park Dr.
• Coronation Park, 442 Coronation Ave.
• Cyrville Park, 1420 Meadowbrook Road
• Dr. John Hopps Park, 300 Den Haag Dr.
• Eastvale Park, 740 Eastvale Dr.
• Elizabeth Manley Park, 1161 Blohm Dr.
• Eugène Martineau Park, 710 Mikinak Rd.
• Fairlea Park, 2989 Fairlea Cres.
• Forbes Park, 669 Paul Ave.
• Gil O. Julien Park, 201 Donald St.
• Greenboro Park and Community Centre, 363 Lorry Greenberg Dr.
• Heatherington Park, 1560 Heatherington Rd.
• Heron Park, 999 Heron Rd.
• Jules Morin Park, 400 Clarence St. E.
• Ken Steele Park, 1195 Ogilvie Rd. Gloucester
• Ledbury Park and Pavilion, 1250 Ledbury Ave.
• McCarthy Park, 3320 Paul Anka Dr.
• New Edinburgh Park, 203 Stanley Ave.
• Optimiste Park, 43 Ste. Cécile St.
• Overbrook Park, 33 Quill St.
• Parc Bordeleau, 349 Bruyère St.
• Parc Jasmine, 2040 Jasmine Cres.
• Parc Laroche, 51 Stonehurst Ave.
• Plouffe Park, 930 Somerset St. W.
• Reid Park, 40 Reid Ave.
• Riverain Park, 400 North River Rd.
• Sandalwood Park, 2850 Sandalwood Dr.
• Senator Eugene Forsey Park, 964 Bronson Ave.
• Springhurst Park, 24 Brunswick St. (Station A)
• Springhurst Park, 24 Brunswick St. (Station B)
• St Luke’s Park, 166 Frank St.
• Sylvia Holden Park, 641 O’Connor St.
• Trojan Park, 901 Trojan Ave.
• Union Basketball Court, 349 Bruyère St.
• Weston Park, 955 Pleasant Park Rd.
• Whiterock Park, 1245 Matheson Rd.
• Windsor Park Ottawa, 1 Windsor Ave.
• Winterwood Park, 1844 Johnston Rd.
• Woodburn Park, 1819 Stonehenge Cres.

With files from Ted Raymond.

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