City launches free sports equipment lockers at parks with Jumpstart Charities

News Release

City launches free sports equipment lockers at parks with Jumpstart Charities


The City of Edmonton and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities are making it easier for residents to get outside and stay active. This month, Edmonton became the first municipality in Alberta to offer free access to sports equipment lending stations, with 30 Equip Sports Lockers installed in parks across the city.

The initiative supports the City’s Live Active Strategy, which aims to provide quality active living, recreation and sport opportunities for everyone by reducing barriers to participation and promoting inclusion and accessibility across the city.

“Edmonton is a city that believes everyone deserves the chance to play and not just those who can afford the equipment to do so,” said Mayor Andrew Knack. “The Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities and Equip Sports Locker partnership is a direct expression of our Live Active Strategy: meeting residents where they are, in the parks and green spaces they already love, and removing one more barrier between them and an active life. Whether you’re a kid who wants to shoot hoops after school or a family looking to spend a Sunday afternoon at the park, this equipment is there for you, free of charge. That’s what inclusive recreation looks like in practice, and I’m proud Edmonton is leading the way in Alberta.”

Each Equip locker kiosk is stocked with high-quality recreational equipment, including basketballs, soccer balls, footballs, frisbees, bocce ball sets and more. Each item is available to residents completely free of charge.

Borrowing is simple and fully digital. Residents download the free Equip Sport app on their Apple or Android device, locate the nearest station on the in-app map and unlock the locker with a tap. Gear is returned to the designated slot when done, with no fees, memberships or barriers.

Stations are stocked to match their surroundings. Sports parks with dedicated courts, such as Confederation Park, carry balls for court and field sports, while river valley and open green spaces offer free-play items suited to those environments. All stations operate daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

“Equip Sport Lockers are about removing barriers at the source,” said Stuart McReynolds, Chief Operating Officer, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. “Through our partnership with Equip Sport and municipalities like the City of Edmonton, we’re making it easier for kids and families to get active in the places they already gather — with free access to equipment that supports connection, movement and the simple joy of play.”

Thirty stations are installed at more than 20 parks across Edmonton, with sites near community leagues, schools and open green spaces. Featured locations include Confederation Park, Giovanni Caboto Park and Hawrelak Park. A full interactive map of locker locations is available online.

The Equip Sports Locker program is a five-year pilot project funded entirely by Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. The modular, non-invasive kiosks are owned and operated by Equip, a specialized third-party vendor. Stations run seasonally from spring through fall, with all equipment and hardware removed and stored off-site during the winter months. The lockers also provide access to extensive analytics via Equip’s app and dashboard, helping the City better understand community activity levels and interests.

Each locker features a support QR code. Residents who notice damage, graffiti or a faulty latch are encouraged to scan the code to send a real-time maintenance request directly to the vendor. Lockers significantly damaged on two separate occasions will be permanently relocated to a pre-approved alternate site.

Edmonton’s Live Active Strategy guides the City’s approach to recreation, sport and active living. It is built on a commitment to ensuring all Edmontonians, regardless of income, age, background or ability, have meaningful access to quality sport and physical activity. The Equip Sports Locker program reflects that commitment by meeting residents where they are: at their local park, ready to play.
For more information:
edmonton.ca/SportLockers