Top Five Reasons to Celebrate Family Health & Fitness at Your Local Park

Ashburn, Virginia, June 06, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Saturday, June 9, 2018, is Family Health & Fitness Day, and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) invites everyone to discover the health benefits of parks and recreation at their local park. Here are the top five reasons you should spend Family Health & Fitness Day — and every day — at your local park:

• Living close to parks and other recreation facilities is consistently related to higher physical activity levels for both adults and youth
• Parks help reduce obesity and incidence of chronic disease by providing opportunities to increase rigorous physical activity in a variety of forms
• Parks provide a connection to nature, which studies demonstrate relieves stress levels, tightens interpersonal relationships and improves mental health
• Parks foster overall wellness and healthful habits, such as becoming tobacco-free and engaging in enrichment activities that add balance to life
• Between 2000 and 2012, more than 85 studies have been published that link parks to better physical and mental health

Furthermore, visiting a park is a great stress reliever. A recent Park Pulse poll found that 35 percent of Americans combat stress by gathering with family, friends or pets at a local park. Download this poster to learn more about the health benefits of parks.

“Parks are the centerpiece of every healthy community,” said Barbara Tulipane, CAE, NRPA president and CEO. “Anyone with a strong desire to improve their overall health and wellness should visit their local park or recreation center where there are healthy activities for all.”

Celebrated the second Saturday of June each year, Family Health & Fitness Day promotes the importance of parks and recreation in keeping communities active and healthy. Many communities host special events on this day, while others simply encourage their residents to visit a local park or recreation center where they can participate in a variety of family-friendly activities, such as, walking, hiking, biking, kayaking, golfing, tennis and swimming. 

Families participating in this year’s Family Health & Fitness Day are encouraged to share their photos online using the hashtag #NRPAFamilyFitDay.

To learn more about Family Health & Fitness Day, visit www.nrpa.org/familyfitness.  

To learn more about NRPA, visit www.nrpa.org.

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About the National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all Americans have access to parks and recreation for health, conservation and social equity. Through its network of 60,000 recreation and park professionals and advocates, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles, conservation initiatives and equitable access to parks and public space. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org.

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Heather Williams
National Recreation and Park Association
703-858-4743
hwilliams@nrpa.org