The Recreation and Parks Association of Yukon (RPAY) celebrated its 30th anniversary on Wednesday.

Thirty years ago, the RPAY was established after the Breaking Trails Conference highlighted the need for an association to facilitate recreation in the Yukon.

Additionally, recreation leaders in rural Yukon demanded improved support for recreation and the formation of an organization to co-ordinate and promote these interests.

Today, RPAY continues to be a leader in recreation through its programs and training initiatives.

“The Government of Yukon is proud to support the RPAY through the sport and recreation branch,” Community Services Minister Richard Mostyn said Wednesday.

“Congratulations to everyone at RPAY, past and present, on reaching the 30-year milestone.

“Thank you for your continued work in making recreation accessible to all and contributing to the well-being of the Yukon’s citizens, communities and environment. The Government of Yukon is proud to support recreation across the territory.”

The government provides nearly $1 million for recreation in rural communities through support for staffing, programs, infrastructure, liability insurance and small capital funding.

Nearly $500,000 is allocated to the RPAY each year through the branch to support many of the organization’s core programs.

“We are so proud to celebrate our 30th anniversary,” said Anne Morgan, RPAY’s executive director.

“Over the three decades, the Yukon’s recreation community has grown for the betterment of the territory’s citizens.

“Thank you to our community partners, the Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada and the Government of Yukon, who, with us, have created a culture of healthy, active living.

“We look forward to many more years working together,” Morgan added.

RPAY’s programs support active healthy living through recreation and parks, including:

• Active Playground Experiences (APE);

• Rural Healthy Eating Active Living (RHEAL) Leaders;

• Winter Active For Live (WAFL); and

• Cycle Smart and Nordic walking Leader Training.

Training offered by RPAY includes assisting rural communities in aquatics leadership, professional development and local programming through the Recreation North Training Program, and an annual Recreation Gathering and Spring Aquatics Workshop.

RPAY hosted an anniversary celebration Wednesday evening at the Yukon Transportation Museum.