Healthy Parks Healthy People

 
Woman practices yoga pose in desert

NPS/Hannah Schwalbe

Healthy Parks Healthy People is founded on the idea that parks can be gateways to good health—for people and the planet.

Healthy Parks Healthy People works with partners and interdisciplinary teams in the sectors of public health, medicine, conservation, and recreation to put a spotlight on the role of parks as social determinant of health.

The National Park Service has long been recognized as the custodian of our most treasured landscapes, cityscapes, and seascapes. These resources – that nurture, sustain, and inspire us are now being valued and understood for their collective benefits as health resources.

The National Park Service is putting parks to work for your health —and the results are social, environmental, and economic benefits.

 
View looking over field of flowers with ocean in the background

NPS Photo

1. The National Park Service is a healthy place.

2. Healthy Parks Healthy People contributes to the health of parks and ecosystems.

3. Improvements to and maintenance of, existing and new facilities,programs, and environments optimize overall health benefits.
 
Couple looking out to an ocean view with islands in the distance.

NPS Photo

1. NPS employees are ambassadors for healthy living.

2. People are inspired to improve their health in parks.

3. Community engagement and partnerships amplify healthbenefits of parks.

4. Healthy Parks Healthy People enhances the economic wellbeing and resiliency of local and regional communities.
 
Teen kids jumping off sand dune
Ten kids jumping off dune at Great Sand Dunes National Park.

NPS Photo

  1. We promote health and wellbeing as an interrelated system linking human health to natural landscapes and all species.
  2. Our work takes place both within and beyond park boundaries.
  3. We encourage uses that promote the health of all species while avoiding those that impair resources.
  4. Our aim includes activities that contribute to physical, mental, and spiritual health, and social wellbeing.
  5. We seek to provide equitable access to open spaces and natural places.
  6. We seek expertise and resources from a wide range of partners in the public and private sectors.
  7. Our commitment to improving public health will be mirrored in internal programs for our workforce.
  8. We seek to provide a wide range of ways for people at all levels of health and wellness to improve their physical, mental, and spiritual health, and social well-being.
  9. We promote our nation’s parks, open spaces, and places of cultural and historical significance as a powerful health resource—engaging multiple stakeholders and partners to think more broadly about the role these places play.
  10. We seek to eliminate health disparities by providing equitable access to parks, open spaces, and places of cultural and historical significance—enabling all people to experience the health benefits these can help create.
 
Group of young people jumping for joy in nature.
Community Volunteer Ambassadors Jumping for Joy.

NPS/Joshua Hamburg

Use Hashtags: #BeforeAndAfterParkRx #HealthyParksHealthyPeople, #NatureForAll, #PowerOfParksForHealth

We welcome all people, from all walks of life to join in the Healthy Parks Healthy People movement.

What are you waiting for? There are more than 400 national parks across the country with countless opportunities to find health, healing and happiness in a park near you.

Come on out, have some fun, learn something, and get healthy.


 
Young woman wearing blue hat holding fishing net.

NPS Photo

Learn more about how we are putting parks to work for your health on our Healthy Parks Healthy People home page.

Last updated: May 25, 2023