Healthy Kids Need Places to Walk In
from the Delmarva Media Group
Citing statistics that show roughly 32 percent of American children are overweight, the American Academy of Pediatrics released a policy statement urging federal and local governments to take proactive action for the health of our nation's children. In its policy statement, 'The Built Environment: Designing Communities to Promote Physical Activity in Children,' the AAP states that government policies must support the effort to encourage physical activity through land use design. More

Most U.S. Kids Have No Playground Access
from United Press International
Sixty-nine percent of U.S. children in the lowest income bracket don't have access to a community playground, a survey indicates. KaBOOM!, a national non-profit dedicated to bringing play back into the lives of children, commissioned the survey conducted by Harris Interactive of 1,677 parents with children between the ages of 2-12. The group says U.S. children experience a national play deficit because they don't have enough time and space to play every day. More

Summertime, and the Swimming's Not Easy
from the Boston Globe
When the sprinkler and garden hose just can’t beat the summer swelter, town pools, swimming holes, and kiddie spray parks are often the nearest source of sweet relief. But this summer, with local budgets melting away, some communities are reluctantly closing popular public swimming sites to save money, and more are expected to follow suit as the season progresses. More

Parks Naturally Appealing When Times are Tough
from the Richmond Times-Dispatch
When Americans are dealt a lemon of an economy, the outdoors often delivers a tasty lemonade. In the past, when recessions have hit, parks and campgrounds have seen improved attendance, as families seek less expensive vacation options. But that connection doesn't always last. More

Take a Hike (or Bike) on NYC's Green Streets
from the Washington Post via the Minneapolis Star-Tribune
New Yorkers, honk if you love pedestrians. In the city that never stops driving, cars and pedestrians have always tussled over the island's finite turf. To the casual eye, it's always seemed that automobiles had the advantage, but now pedestrians are gaining ground. "Developing the High Line [a new park], reclaiming the waterfront and creating pedestrian space -- all of these elements are getting people out of their cars and onto their feet and bikes," said Amanda Burden, director of the Department of City Planning. More

Dog Parks Leap in Popularity
from the Des Moines Register
Iowa dogs - and their owners - are enjoying their own public space. Dog parks, once a rarity in Iowa, have taken off in the past five or six years. At least 15 cities across Iowa have dog parks. Owners profess they are good for people and for pooches, and city leaders say they are low-cost features to offer residents. The parks are increasingly viewed as an amenity the community should offer, Iowa Park and Recreation Association Executive Director Steven Jordison said. More

Campaign Launches to Save Recreation Programs
from the Island Park News via Snowmobile SnoWest
Motorized recreation programs, a critical component of the Island Park, Idaho, economy, could be history because the Idaho Legislature has cut a huge portion of their funding. Sandra Mitchell of the Idaho Recreation Council (IRC) has launched a grassroots effort, the Give Us Back Our Gas Tax campaign, to convince Idaho legislators to continue to allocate gas taxes to the recreation programs. IRC is an advocacy group for motorized recreationists, cyclists and horsemen. More

Canadian Park Opens Up New Ways for People to Get in Shape
from Canada.com
Not being able to fit fitness into a busy lifestyle is not a good enough excuse, say fitness experts. The City of Nanaimo Parks, Recreation and Culture Department has given its residence one more place to get physically active with the grand opening of the Oliver Woods Wellness Park. The park's stationary equipment and layout is designed to improve mobility, strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular health for anyone over 13. More

Bootcamp Operators Must Pay to Use Vancouver Parks
from The Vancouver Sun
The Vancouver park board isn’t giving the boot to boot camps, but businesses holding exercise classes in parks will now have to register and pay. The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation began requiring operators of boot camps, yoga sessions and other classes to apply for a license as of June 1 to hold the classes at city parks and beaches. More

Video: Hot Stuff at Play Areas
from KAIT-TV
Even as hot as it is, people still go outside whether to work or play. And there are lots of things outside that can get really hot on a day when temps race into the 100's, hot enough to burn you. Things like metal and plastic coated playground equipment heat up really quick. More

Volunteers to Help Disabled Experience Kayaking
from the Reno Gazette-Journal
Every year, Charles Albright of Reno, Nev., volunteers his time to people with disabilities, offering the opportunity to experience the joy of summertime sports at the Mark Wellman's Adventure Day held at the Sparks Marina in Sparks, Nev. The city-sponsored program provides a fun, safe environment for participants to try kayaking, sailing, hand cycling and rock climbing for free. More

Public Recycling Program Reaches Minnesota Parks
from the Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Four creative containers were recently unveiled in Mears Park in St.Paul, Minn. The Lowertown park is the third location to take part in an experiment by St. Paul and Eureka Recycling to see whether so-called public space recycling can be cost effective and help the environment. More