A prescription for parks and recreation: park and recreation agencies are adding health promotion to their long list of community responsibilities.

It used to be that a walk in the park was just that. But now, in a time when the country has a renewed concern about not only calories but how to burn them, park and recreation facilities are seen in a whole new light. Now our lawns and gyms are viewed as settings for healthy lifestyles.

Indeed, this new view is based a great deal on a surge in inactivity. For example, Paul Widman, assistant director of Nashville (Tenn.) Metro Parks, says that kids have a different after-school agenda than they did in the past. Rather than mounting bikes to head to their nearest park, they are hopping off the bus from a day at school and settling in for sessions in front of the television or computer games.

"Parks and recreation used to be what video games are to kids," Widman says. "It was the singular option for kids to recreate. Now the whole concept of what we do has changed."

Pat Grulke, recreation services manager for Waukesha (Wisc.) Parks, Recreation and Forestry, agrees that the role of the profession is different. Rather than being seen as simply maintainers of greenspace and buildings, park and recreation professionals are being looked to with the higher calling of keeping communities healthy.

"I see us in the health and wellness field," Grulke says. "Being a public agency, it is really important that we focus on the services that we offer and it should be part of our goals and our mission."

Simply put, recreation facilities and parkland encourage physical activity. And physical activity results in fewer health problems.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reported in 2002 that physical activity is "fundamental to preventing disease" reducing the morbidity and mortality of many chronic diseases. The report said that 23 percent of deaths from chronic disease were linked to sedentary lifestyles. This is a shocking statistic considering that more than a third of students in grades 9 to 12 do not regularly engage in vigorous physical activity.

The benefits of moderate exercise are numerous. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that increasing physical activity in the inactive U.S. population could reduce annual medical costs by nearly $80 billion. The figures make sense when you consider that a basic exercise regimen contributes to overall health by improving or preventing coronary conditions, diabetes, cancer, mental illnesses and maintaining the health of bones, muscles and joints.

It is for this reason that Grulke, Widman and park and recreation professionals nationwide have charged themselves with providing healthy opportunities to make the most of the facilities they offer to the public.

Widman says that traditional sports leagues and gym activities are still viable in Nashville and continue to be a substantial part of the recreation budget. But Widman is tracking the trends.

"We're trying to beef up our arts and cultural opportunities in community centers. We're trying to bring more dance and the things that kids can relate to into our center to provide for a variety of interests," he says. Widman explains that his staff was surprised when the department was recognized at a conference for its ballroom dancing classes. "If you provide the opportunities, kids will use them."

The way a department approaches recreation opportunities is proving to be increasingly important. Kathy Cahill is the volunteer services coordinator for Lee County (Fla.) Parks and Recreation. She says that health is reflected in everything the department does.

"We always put any kind of physical activity or anything to do with nutrition--anything to implement the philosophy over and over--in all our programming, from age six months to age 99," Cahill says. She explains that anything can be made healthier, giving the examples of posting healthy lifestyle tips on the back of restroom stall doors or implementing jumping jacks during announcement time at a day camp. In after-school programs held by the department, kids have homework and video game time, but the schedule is balanced by plenty of physical activities and even nutrition classes.

Grulke says that she used healthy programming to get people moving while introducing them to existing facilities. Citizens in her community became excited about their parks after an NRPA Step Up To Health initiative allowed them to use different parks. A "signature park" in the middle of the city had a popular 1.7-mile trail loop in it. What many citizens didn't know was that a longer 5-mile connector linked smaller, lesser known parks around the city. "Hikers would approach me and say, 'Wow. I didn't know this trail was out here. I've never been out to Glacial Cone before!' People don't realize the wonderful amenities we have here," she says.

Cahill explains that great amenities are their own advertising. One of her park district's most actively used destinations is a park that is appreciated mostly for its scenic location. "Lakes Park is one of our beautiful parks and we don't even have a recreation center there. It's just a park with a lake and gazebos and playgrounds. That park easily has 3,000 visitors on the weekend," she explains.

Grulke noticed similar popularity at another park after its renovation. "There wasn't any special facility, there was no marketing, it's just a great park and people utilize it a ton," Grulke says. Her observation was supported by the findings of a citizen satisfaction survey the park district distributed. Trails and open space were found to be "very important" to the community.

Improving on the popularity of great facilities used for healthy lifestyles are partnership opportunities with local businesses. Partnerships often lead to annual events that gain a positive reputation over time

"We do a yearly event with Hearts N' Parks--our Fun Fit Festival," Cahill says. The festival is so popular that it has gained name recognition. "We can call any of our partners and say that it is Hearts N' Parks time and they know what it means."

That event is the result of collaboration with Lee County Hospital and is a good example of how community partnerships are paying off for park and recreation agencies.

Grulke uses partnerships for ongoing efforts, as well. She says that because her department has always had lots of luck with fitness classes, it extended that success into the youth demographic with a partnership.

"We have a strong youth collaborative in our city and a strong role with healthy teens and healthy youth," Grulke says of the department's work with the local school district, explaining that partnerships breed partnerships. "Through this youth collaborative group, we involve many non-profits and other agencies that work with youth."

Widman is excited about being part of an ongoing effort himself. A citywide initiative called Healthy Nashville 2010 is a part of the larger HHS Healthy People 2010 project. Widman says that the program looks at everything from citizen health to the way communities are connected by trails. Healthy Nashville 2010's committee is made up of leaders throughout the city, including the park district's director, Roy Wilson.

The goal of park and recreation departments has long been targeted to provide useful amenities for enjoying the environment and recreating pleasurably. But there is a new objective--maintaining the health of the community that each facility serves. Through partnerships, programs and promotion of amenities, agencies are providing the backdrop for a healthier generation of Americans.

Health and physical activity will continue to grow in importance for every park and recreation department. Learn about the science behind health programming, the emerging trends and how to create lasting partnerships with other community stakeholders. Attend the National Health and Livability Summit on April 17-19 in Atlanta, Ga., where you can also learn firsthand from the agencies showcased in this article. See the following fold-out for more information and how to register for this groundbreaking summit.

RELATED ARTICLE: Healthy departments in action: tackling vending machine nutrition.

Park and recreation facilities are busy giving their communities numerous opportunities to recreate and enjoy physical activity, but they're taking time out of their schedules to make sure what you put in your body is as good as the energy that comes out of it. Nationwide, agencies are in agreement: Vending machines can house some nasty things.

Cahill says that her department is slowly phasing out the fructose-laden sodas and sugar-coated candies. Some vending machines in Lee County facilities distribute only sports drinks and healthier juices. Grulke's department is in a similar stage, beginning to implement vending standards adopted from the Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association.

NRPA's Step Up to Health Initiative suggests some healthy alternatives for park and recreation departments' vending options.

Instead of:                    Try:

Potato chips                   Baked tortilla chips,
                               pretzels or baked chips

Movie or "butter               Light or air-popped popcorn
lover's" popcorn

Sweetened, fruit-flavored      Dried fruits, such as banana
gummy snacks                   chips, raisins, dried cranberries
                               and dried apples

Pork rinds                     Beef or turkey jerky

Cookies, cupcakes              Fig cookies, graham crackers

Candy bars, toaster pastries   Granola bars, animal crackers

Fruit-flavored drinks          Water or unsweetened fruit juice

Whole milk, ice cream          1 percent milk or skim milk,
                               frozen yogurt, sherbet

Canned fruit in heavy syrup    individually packaged fruit in
                               light syrup or natural juices

Candy or chocolate-coated      Plain nuts or trail mix
nuts

Full-calorie soda              Diet soda, 100 percent fruit
                               juice, water

Sports drinks                  Flavored water with no added sugar