U.S. Experts Urge Health Reforms in Schools, Cities
from Reuters
The government should broaden its efforts to overhaul the U.S. healthcare system to include steps that provide better access to good food and recreation, a panel of experts said last week. Rather than an intense focus on just how much it costs to treat the sick, more work must be done in schools and cities to give people better access to nutritious food and places to exercise. More

Report Calls on Society to Nudge Kids Outside
from The Wichita Eagle
Shooing kids outside isn't just a parental endeavor anymore. Everyone has a stake in reconnecting children with nature, says the National Wildlife Federation, and urging them outdoors should be everyone's responsibility. The group issued a report last week encouraging states, cities and school districts to enact far-reaching strategies to foster outdoor play. More

Cities Write 'Sustainability' into Public Policy
from the Pioneer Press
Sustainability is a buzzword sweeping city governments across the nation. Sift through any city Web site, and you're likely to find the word. But what does it mean? More

Sustainable Sites Development Principles: A New Online Course Offered through Pyxis Learning Center
from NRPA
The Sustainable Sites Development Principles course is designed to educate parks and public lands professionals in the principles and best practices of developing and maintaining landscapes as sustainable sites. Examples and case studies of these principles in action, as well as worksheets are presented so that parks and public lands professionals might apply these principles to the development and management of parks and public lands as sustainable sites. More

Baltimore’s City Hall Garden Plots to be Planted in Veggies
from the Baltimore Sun
Baltimore will be planting decorative urns, about 70 window boxes and several formal raised beds with spring and summer vegetable crops that will benefit Our Daily Bread, which feeds 700 to 800 people a day and often finds itself, even in summer, relying on canned vegetables. City Hall's move reflects the growing interest in vegetable gardens this year as consumers try to deal with a tough economy and concerns about health and food safety. More

Senior Citizens to Rediscover Florida During Volunteer Month
from the Foster Folly News
April is Florida Volunteer Month and DEP, the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, and the Governor's Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service-Volunteer Florida, are encouraging senior citizens to experience natural Florida by volunteering at a state park, trail or research reserve. "Volunteers are vital to the efficient operation of Florida's state parks and recreation areas, as well as the protection of Florida's natural resources," said DEP Deputy Secretary for Land and Recreation Bob Ballard. More

A Legacy to Celebrate
from the Herald Tribune
In just a year, the Legacy Trail has improved life in Sarasota County, Fla. The trail is part of the national rail-to-trails project, which converts old railroad right of way to linear parks, has added a new dimension to outdoor recreation. The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy reports that since the movement began in full force more than 20 years ago, some 14,000 miles of unused railroad corridors have been adapted for public use. Not only do these parks provide a way for people to have a good time for free but they offer a chance to develop healthier lifestyles. More

Ohio Legislators Seek Money to Ease Huge Maintenance Backlog of State Parks
from the Columbus Dispatch
Years of budget cuts have left Ohio with more than $550 million in backlogged maintenance projects meant to upgrade hiking trails, repair dams, renovate cottages and make other improvements at state parks. But some state lawmakers hope money will be available in the coming budget to chip away at the backlog. More

Macy’s Teams up with DNR to Support Michigan State Parks
from The Associated Press via The Holland Sentinel
A special Earth Day promotion at Macy’s 21 Michigan stores will help support Michigan state parks and the National Park Foundation. “This is a great way to support our state and national parks, celebrate Earth Day and support Michigan’s economy by shopping in your local community,” said Michigan Department of Natural Resources Director Rebecca Humphries. “We are grateful for partners like Macy’s, who step forward to help the DNR with our mission to conserve and protect our natural resources and places that are special to the people of this state.” More

Race Greens up Montana City with Saplings to Plant, Money to Invest in Urban Forest
from the Missoulian
Saturday's Run for the Trees was more about celebrating the urban forest than posting great run times. More than 500 people participated in Missoula, Mont., Parks and Recreation's 17th annual run, a fundraiser to buy trees for parks and schools. A race official at McCormick Park estimated the 5K and children's one-mile “fun run” grossed roughly $10,000. More

Iowa Cemeteries Tidy and Trim, with Aid from Volunteers
from the Des Moines Register
It's not the big things that keep Deanna Clausen awake at night. Mostly she sweats the small stuff. Clausen, the cemetery maintenance leader for Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines, Iowa, has enough staff to get the big projects done at the facility - trimming the trees and mowing the grounds. "It's the little things that I don't have time for," Clausen said. "But it's the little things that matter." More

Kansas City Twitters for Quick Communication
from the El Dorado Times
The city of El Dorado, Kan., is twittering. The city began using Twitter, the latest Web site to communicate quickly and help update citizens on what is happening in the city. The parks and recreation department is among the city departments that have a Twitter page. More