Don Cunnings (left) is a highly respected 1962 UBC Physical Education graduate who, coming out of the Recreation program created by Bob Osborne and Dick Ramsay, became one of the early provincial pioneers in the development of parks and recreation. His extensive and varied career has been acknowledged by his 2012 induction into the Coquitlam Sports Hall of Fame, his 2013 Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and his 2014 Freedom of the City, Coquitlam’s highest honour. The Freedom of the City recognizes his long-term contributions to the city, both in his professional capacity and as a volunteer.
As a younger man Cunnings was a nationally-ranked gymnast, and later became an innovative gymnastics coach, a coach of national champions: four of his students captured medals at the 1954 Canadian Gymnastics Championships. Early in his career, Don served as a Recreational Therapist at the Essondale mental health hospital where he played music for catatonic patients which resulted in their increased mobility. This was the beginning of the hospital’s music therapy program.
Specializing in physical education and recreation, Don became Coquitlam’s first Parks and Recreation director. He rose to head the Department of Leisure and Park Services for the City of Coquitlam as its director, a position he held until his retirement in 1994. He is credited with being one of the founding fathers of the BC Recreation Association — he served as its president in 1963 and 1964. The City of Coquitlam, Douglas College, and the School District of Coquitlam jointly named “Cunnings Field” in Coquitlam in his honour in 1999. Cunnings is also known for the founding and directing of Coquitlam Search and Rescue in 1973.
In the future, Don would like to see leaders and visionaries embrace the importance of a livable community, particularly in regards to health and aging. Don was featured as one of Education’s 100 as part of the UBC Faculty of Education’s Year of Alumni celebrations.
