Developing a Program That Prescribes Parks

WASHINGTON

Whatcom County is one of the most physically active and healthiest counties in Washington state, yet not all residents are aware of the positive impacts of spending time outdoors, nor share the same access to recreation opportunities that could benefit their physical, mental and social health.

Recreation Northwest collaborated with the National Park Service - Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program (NPS-RTCA) to develop a community program that would get more people outside and active in their parks and trails. NPS-RTCA engaged residents, healthcare providers, and park and land managers in assessing local health needs, evolving a community vision, and inventorying parks and outdoor recreation opportunities.

Guided by public input, NPS-RTCA and Recreation Northwest developed Parkscriptions, a program that encourages health care providers to prescribe time in nature to their patients. With support from NPS-RTCA, an interactive mobile platform with a map of Whatcom County public parks and trails was developed with more than a dozen health care providers participating. Today, doctors have the information they need to prescribe close-to-home outdoor activities to their patients.

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For more than 30 years, the National Park Service - Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program  has been moving the needle on conservation and outdoor recreation in communities across America. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.