Surrey, British Columbia, has introduced a free sports equipment borrowing program in its public parks to encourage physical activity for everyone. This new program makes it easier for residents and visitors to borrow sports gear without paying any fees. The only requirement is to download an app on a smartphone, which allows users to unlock equipment boxes located at several parks and start playing right away.
Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke said this program helps level the playing field, especially for children who may not be able to afford sports equipment. “Some kids can’t afford equipment, and so it’s really the equalizer,” she explained. The program aims to provide access to sports for people of all ages and backgrounds.
The equipment boxes are stocked with a variety of sports gear, including basketballs, volleyballs, soccer balls, ping pong paddles and balls, jump ropes, resistance bands, and dumbbells. These items are available at about 20 stations currently installed in popular parks like Cloverdale Athletic Park, Tamanawis Park, Bear Creek Park, and South Surrey Athletic Park. Surrey plans to expand the number of lending stations to 30 soon.
This initiative is fully funded by Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, meaning it comes at no cost to taxpayers. The program uses technology developed by Equip Sport, a Swiss company that operates around 400 similar lending stations across Europe. While some European cities require users to link a credit card to the app, Surrey has disabled this feature. Instead, users receive reminders if they do not return borrowed items on time. Repeated failure to return equipment may result in a temporary suspension of the user’s account.
Residents and visitors have responded positively to the program. Marine James, a former physical education teacher visiting from Rossland with her son Owen, borrowed a basketball from a kiosk at Royal Kwantlen Park. She praised the program, noting concerns about declining youth sports participation and emphasizing the importance of access for all people regardless of age, background, or gender. James hopes the program will expand throughout the Lower Mainland and into other parts of British Columbia, including her hometown in the Kootenays.
By making sports gear freely accessible, Surrey aims to encourage more people to get outside, exercise, and connect with their communities. This program removes one of the biggest barriers to staying active—cost. Whether someone wants to play a game of soccer, shoot hoops, or work out with resistance bands, they can do so without worrying about buying equipment.
The city expects the lending stations will make parks livelier and more welcoming places for everyone. Surrey’s focus on community health and inclusion may serve as a model for other cities in Canada and beyond to adopt similar free sports equipment borrowing programs.
With accessible locations, a variety of gear, and zero cost to users, this initiative could have a lasting positive impact on public health and community engagement. In Surrey, it’s now easier than ever to get active—because the game is truly on for all.
