Staff Feature – The Albion Hills Conservation Parks Team
October 21, 2020
Parks and Culture staff have always worked to put the health and safety of our visitors and staff at the forefront of our operations. With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important now than ever!
As demand for access to nature, greenspace and trails increases, Conservation Parks staff have had to work within the Government guidelines to provide programming and events to our local communities that are safe and feasible.
310 Running hosted their Don Olson Classic Race, in support of Bethell Hospice Foundation, at Albion Hills Conservation Park on October 3, 2020. Conservation Park staff worked very hard to host a successful event with all the safety protocols in place. With the new realities we are experiencing due to COVID-19, we need to adapt as an organization, but also as a community, to allow us to continue to do the things we enjoy.
Working alongside Albion Hills staff, 310 Running was able to make the required adjustments to their event so that it could still take place under the current COVID-19 guidelines. In previous years, the race would have looked much different. For example, it would have been two large waves of athletes with mass starts in the past. This year it was seven small waves with athletes released individually onto the course every 10 seconds.
The event was exclusively outdoors. Physical distancing and mask wearing were mandatory and enforced. Contract tracing information was collected. All attendees, athletes, parents, coaches and volunteers were required to complete an online health questionnaire within 24 hours of the race to ensure only eligible people planned to attend.
Some of the feedback 310 Running has received from participants include:
“Just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU for such an amazing event yesterday. We were all blown away by how well it was run – you and your team made it look easy and I’m sure it was anything but. Thanks for sticking with it through COVID and giving our athletes a much-appreciated opportunity to compete.”
“Thank you so much for such a well organized, safe race! All of the volunteers were awesome and your set up was perfect!! Thanks again!”
“Blown away impressed with the detail to making this a safe race. Thank you so so much. This family greatly missed racing and you did an incredible job.”
“Thank you to you and your team! Today was so well organized, a very impressive feat in challenging circumstances. We so appreciate having the chance to race – thanks to all of the awesome volunteers!”
“Hey there – I just wanted to let you know how great the race was today. I can only begin to appreciate the effort and time that your team puts into this race each year and the extra thought and planning during this difficult time. The kids were so happy to be racing and I know my daughter had one of the best days in a long time!”
Huge thanks to Albion Hills Conservation Park Staff for your commitment to helping communities thrive and grow, especially during these circumstances!