From a press release:
The TRACK Trail program, National Park Service and pediatricians will come together to engage families in outdoor recreation on National Park Rx Day on Sunday, April 24.
Over the past few decades, people have become increasingly disengaged with nature, preferring to spend more time indoors interacting with electronic media rather than exploring a wealth of parks and public lands. These lifestyle choices are drastically impacting the overall health of our kids and families. To combat the health implications of sedentary lifestyles, doctors are beginning to write prescriptions for outdoor activities.
The park prescription movement led to the creation of National Park Rx Day during National Park Week (April 18-24). To celebrate, the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s Kids in Parks program, Blue Ridge Parkway and National Park Service are hosting a family-friendly event at 3 p.m., Sunday, April 24, at the Parkway Visitor Center in Asheville. The afternoon will include a guided hike with park rangers and local pediatricians and more activities to spread awareness about the enjoyment and health benefits provided by outdoor adventures.
Pediatrician Olson Huff, chair of the Kids in Parks advisory board, praised the efforts of his pediatric colleagues for encouraging more activity in the lives of their young patients. “We know that supportive environments are good for health and the outdoors certainly provides such support,” Huff said. “Pediatricians writing prescriptions for the Kids in Parks TRACK Trails are helping to prevent obesity, diabetes, ADHD and many other concerns, as well as promoting a sense of wonder and appreciation for the natural environment. Such efforts will lead to habits that translate into healthy and enjoyable experiences that will last a lifetime.”
The event is also the launch of Kids in Parks’ TRACK Rx Adventures, the newest facet of the TRACK Trail program. Over the past six years, Kids in Parks has created a network of trails in Western North Carolina (and beyond) that encourages kids and families to get outdoors and reconnected to nature to boost their health and the health of our parks. Now, Kids in Parks is working with doctors to promote its network of TRACK Trails. Trailhead signs will be displayed in reception areas, along with a TRACK Rx brochure. Doctors can use special pads to prescribe nature activities to patients. Children that complete the adventure and fulfill their prescriptions through the program’s website become Trail TRACKer team members and receive prizes.
Park Superintendent Mark Woods will be joining his rangers for the event. “For several years, the National Park Service has been active in the establishment of the National Park Rx movement,” Woods explained. “The event we are hosting at the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of 27 events that are happening across the country; and we couldn’t be more excited to be involved in the inaugural National Park Rx Day through the partnerships we have formed with the Kids in Parks program and local pediatricians.”
For more information about the event, visit kidsinparks.com or the program’s Facebook page.
WHAT: National Park Rx Day Celebration with guided hike on TRACK Trail
WHEN: 3 p.m., Sunday, April 24
WHERE: Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center (Milepost 384), 195 Hemphill Knob Road, Asheville, N.C. 28803
About the Kids in Parks program
Kids in Parks is a program of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation and was formed through partnerships between the Foundation, Blue Ridge Parkway and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation. Working together with partners throughout the country, its mission is to promote children’s health and the health of parks by engaging families in outdoor adventures that increase physical activity and foster a meaningful connection to the natural and cultural world. The Kids in Parks TRACK Trails program provides kids and families with a network of self-guided hiking trails. Every TRACK Trail has a series of brochures designed to turn an ordinary walk in the woods into a fun-filled adventure. Kids can register every adventure through the Kids in Parks website, www.kidsinparks.com, and earn Trail TRACKer Gear designed to make their next outdoor adventure more interactive and fun.
About the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation
The Foundation is the primary private fundraising organization of the Blue Ridge Parkway, helping ensure cultural and historical preservation, natural resource protection, educational outreach, and visitor enjoyment now and for future generations. www.brpfoundation.org
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