While many park and recreation agencies have realized the important impact they can play in fighting the obesity epidemic, the general public has yet to make the connection between living a healthy lifestyle and using the services provided by their local park and recreation departments. Other articles in this magazine explore the steps that can be taken for park and recreation professionals to begin a health and wellness component in their community and program examples they can add to an existing campaign. CPRS wanted to find out what leading experts in the health and wellness field thought about the role of parks and recreation in promoting health and wellness in their communities.

Respected for the work they have done in the health and wellness arena, CPRS sought the views of the following leaders:
Senator Debra Ortiz, Sacramento, Senate District 06. As chair of the Senate Health Committee, she deals with legislation relating to impact public health. She introduced SB 677, the California Childhood Obesity Prevention Act which was signed by the Governor in September 2005, restricting sale of beverages at elementary and middle schools.
Leslie Mikkelson MPH, Managing Director of the Prevention Institute in Oakland. This national non-profit organization, founded in 1997, focuses on improving community health and well-being through prevention. Currently, Prevention Institute coordinates the Strategic Alliance for Healthy Food and Activity Environments, a coalition that identifies strategies for improving nutrition and physical activity in low-income neighborhoods and communities through prevention.
Larry Meredith, PhD, Director of Marin County Department of Health and Human Services. The Marin County Department of Health and Human Services provides educational information and coordinates and/or administers a variety of programs that address the health needs of the county residents.

Work has begun between public health agencies, elected officials and community health organizations to promote health and wellness in our communities. These agencies are also strengthening their partnerships with parks and recreation departments. In response to the question “What do you feel is the role that parks and recreation services can play in reducing the obesity and inactivity epidemic facing California?” Dr. Larry Meredith responded: “Parks and recreational services can have a major role in returning the nation to health. The challenge will be to integrate a community’s resources, such as parks and recreational facilities, with the emerging consciousness about the importance of physical activity and a healthy lifestyle. Public health departments and parks and recreation departments (at the minimum) must join forces to:

• create opportunities for children, adults and seniors to become physically active at times of the day that work for them...maybe with activities that they have always wanted to explore (e.g., Tai Chi, Yoga, Bocce ball, disc golf). It may be helpful to create a Steering Committee for each group - youth, adults, new mothers, retired folks, etc.
• jointly sponsor and market these activities.”

Leslie Mikkelson agrees with Dr. Meredith and adds “Parks and recreation has already proven to be part of the solution by providing facilities. Their key role is realizing the importance of maximizing activities and ensuring that the facilities are accessible by public transportation. In addition to accessibility, reach out and create opportunities for people who are not athletic or generally active.”

While agreeing that park and recreation departments have the resources to provide communities an active lifestyle (facilities, parks, trails, classes, recreation staff, etc.), all three experts believe agencies can do more in partnerships with schools. Senator Ortiz states “Parks and recreation should take advantage of school-based and after-school programs, which often are looking for activities for students.” Mikkelson believes that joint use agreements allow school facilities to be available during off hours.

When asked “Considering all the players in a community, what organizations should parks and recreation partner with to improve the community’s health?,” Dr. Meredith responded “In addition to the Department of Public Health, there are many natural allies. Seek out businesses, fraternal groups, organizations—like Kaiser Permanente—which are invested in health, other health insurance carriers, organizations that have an employee health and wellness program and non-profit organizations. In Marin, there is a very active non-profit fundraising event run by the Center for Volunteerism and Non-Profit Leadership. This event, which features a walk as the main attraction, draws 4,000 people annually.” Senator Ortiz added “Parks and recreation can also partner with local chapters of professional associations, and local businesses to promote the well-being of employees and their families.”

Dr. Meredith describes how the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services was working with local park and recreation departments: “One of our projects is our evolving Web site, MarinOnTheMove.org, which offers information on activities that are available through our parks and recreational areas such as biking, nature trails for walking, tennis courts and more. The challenge is to assist everyone with integrating more physical activity into their lifestyle in a way that is natural--such as parking at the far end of the parking lot if you drive; walking whenever possible; vowing not to use elevators or escalators wherever possible; and bicycling for errands.”

There is increasing evidence that the “environment” is a key factor in fighting obesity and inactivity. This is a shift from earlier thinking and strategies that focused on the individual and the choices they made.1 The “environment” includes such things as:

a. Availability of spaces and places to be active
b. Availability of programs and activities that encourage physical activity
c. Availability of a variety of food sources (e.g., supermarkets, fast food, restaurants)
d. Complete streets (e.g., sidewalks, lighting, bike lanes)
e. Availability of public transit
f. Educating the residents
g. School-based activity and nutrition-based programs
h. Community-based activity and nutrition-based programs

Mikkelson responded to the question about the role of the “environment” in making a community healthy, “This list represents all things that need to be done to provide healthy options for the community. However, community-based activities can be difficult because it is important to make sure that the programs are engaging to the residents of the area. Many times it is more effective to have healthy options for activity rather than classes.”

While society has made much progress in general nutrition information and eating habits, we asked the group what efforts should be made to improve physical activity of our children and adults. Senator Ortiz responded, “As the author of the first California law banning sodas in elementary through junior high schools and as the author of legislation to require chain restaurants to post nutritional information, I understand how important it is to give parents the information they need to make choices about their children’s diets and health. Creating safe, accessible public spaces to exercise and play; placing shops close to neighborhoods to encourage walking and biking; developing good after-school programs that involve physical activity; increasing funding for school-based physical education are all laudable goals we should continue to implement. As chair of the Senate Health Committee, we have discussed and voted on many bills to improve the well-being of Californians and promote healthy lifestyles.”

Building a strong network that includes parks and recreation, community organizations and public agencies is vital to the promotion and maintenance of healthy communities. Such a collaboration could be a strong model for success in fostering general health and wellness for everyone. The next step is to highlight the assets and resources that park and recreation agencies bring to these efforts, Mikkelson agrees, “Parks and recreation may need to increase their visibility with elected officials, parent groups, local businesses and community organizations as they grapple with the health problems that stem from inactivity.” Dr. Meredith adds “The real issue is innovative thinking about how parks and recreation is part of the health solution and how it can add even more to the quality of life in the community.”

Senator Ortiz may have summed it up best: “California’s natural resources - our parks and recreation areas - are some of the state’s most valued treasures. Not only do they provide breathtaking beauty, they also are a huge tool in our fight against obesity and our efforts to promote healthy lifestyles.”

References

1. Adams, J, Leading... to Promote Health & Wellness. 2003; 3. Available on-line at http://www.cprs.org/membersonly/Health&Wellnes.pdf