1 – 4 PM | Ryerson University

This is your invitation to attend a public forum on skin cancer and shade, scheduled for Sunday, January 25, 2009 from 1 – 4 PM at Ryerson University.  The forum will review activities and preliminary findings by Ryerson University of the City of Toronto Parks and Water Play Facilities Shade Audit Pilot Study.

The principal investigator, George Kapelos, Associate Professor, Ryerson University, has received funding from the GTA Cancer Prevention Coalition to undertake this pilot project in partnership with Toronto Parks and Toronto Public Health. The project audits eight Parks and Water Play Facilities in the City of Toronto and follows from a City of Toronto initiative to develop protocols and procedures for conducting audits on parks and play areas in the City, where shade may be needed.

Under this pilot study, eight sites are being audited by two teams of researchers using Webshade, the software developed in Australia to assist with shade audits.  The results of the project will assist the City plan and develop a methodology for auditing over 1000 sites in the City’s park system.

At the public forum, which is part of this pilot project, the Principal Investigator and project team will present the results of the audits and will present protocols and procedures.  John Greenwood, of Sydney Australia, Architect and the developer of Webshade, will participate in this event and be a keynote presenter.

The forum will take place on Sunday, January 25, 2009 from 1 PM to 4 PM at Ryerson University’s Department of Architectural Science, 325 Church Street, Toronto.  This event is open to the members of the community who have an interest in the shade, UVR protection and Skin Cancer prevention.  Registration commences at 12:30 PM.  A reception will follow the event.

This is an opportunity for all those interested in promoting shade for public health to hear more about this very important pilot project in the City of Toronto. The forum is free of charge. However, you must reserve a place, if you wish to attend.

If you are interested in attending, please contact:

George Thomas Kapelos
Associate Professor and Principal Investigator
Department of Architectural Science
Ryerson University
Email: gkapelos@ryerson.ca
Telephone 416 979 5000 x 6510