Ponoka is one of three Central Alberta communities to receive a Choosewell award for supporting healthy activity.

The award was presented by the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association at their annual conference last week.

Wes Amendt, Director of Community Services for the Town of Ponoka, says he's happy that their hard work has been recognized.

“We installed a new playground in the Westview Park here in Ponoka last year, we worked with the local pickleball group to do some upgrades to our tennis and pickleball courts. And then just a host of regular programs like our Family Day, Day in the Park, or Canada Day activities; all promoting healthy opportunities.”

One of their biggest projects includes the Centennial Park Skating Trail, which Amendt says drew hundreds of people to the park last winter.

He says creating these activates is fun and he's glad their hard work is paying off.

“It’s all about celebrating the efforts and achievements of communities from across Alberta, and promoting healthy eating, active living. In the last year, we’ve had several initiatives and as a result we were awarded again… for providing those healthy opportunities.”

He says they plan on implementing their Centennial Park skating trail again this year.

Another new recreation initiative include this past year was the Tarmac Play program, where games were painted on walkways at 30 different locations around town, promoting physical activity to kids with games like hop scotch, left and right, targets and circles.

Lacombe, Bashaw and Ponoka all received an award for different healthy initiatives.