February is National Recreation Therapy Month! We want to acknowledge and thank the hardworking, passionate, and dedicated therapeutic recreation professionals in Northern Health, including recreation therapists, program coordinators, and activity workers. One resident at Gateway Lodge long-term care in Prince George shared this heartfelt message recognizing the hard work our professionals put into making every day more exciting:
“On Thursday, September 4, 2025 I found myself, along with other residents of Gateway, loaded on to a bus and cruising down the highway in the afternoon sunshine. We had all been invited by our Recreation Therapists to join them on a country drive. That sounds nice and leisurely, which it was, but first the riders must be loaded onto the bus and with the majority in wheelchairs, it takes more time to get everyone on board and strapped into a seat. Soon enough though, we were underway and had barely left the parking lot when our Recreational Therapist turned on her country playlist that kicked everyone’s spirits up a notch and made me feel like dancing.
As we drove up 15th Avenue and turned on to Foothills Boulevard, I noticed the construction taking place on Foothills and I found myself thinking about the last time I had been out that way. It had definitely been a while. As if echoing my thoughts, I heard a woman seated behind me comment that it had been years since she had been anywhere North of the city. We crossed the Foothills Bridge and turned east on North Nechako to the traffic circle and continued following the river past the Northern Lights Winery and orchard. I was surprised to see how high the river was as we hardly had any rain in August. I wondered if it was due to more water being released from the spillway to accommodate the heavy salmon run this year. I was thinking about the salmon as we approached the entrance gates to Canfor Inter-Continental Pulp where we turned around and headed back.
At the traffic circle we turned North, and I recognized many of the businesses and crossroads along the John Hart Highway. My memory was recalling some of the properties I was familiar with from my years as a realtor. Some places didn’t look much different than they did back in the day, while others were obviously newer.
At the main intersection of the Hart Highway and Austin Road we turned left onto Austin Road and carried on past the shopping centre, fire hall, and subdivision, and drove west to connect with Foothills Blvd. At 15th Avenue. we turned left and followed that most of the way home to Gateway.
We had made a loop! Our little adventure had come to an end but everyone who had the pleasure of this excursion felt refreshed, relaxed and happy and we all agreed that next time we will make a stop for ice cream.”
Thanks to the Gateway resident for sharing their experience.
For more information on Therapeutic Recreation and Therapeutic Recreation Month visit CTRA – Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association.
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