July 2015 - Parks & Recreation - 42

Access to Sports Is Access to Health
By Jimmy O'Connor

T

hese days, we're hearing a lot of talk about health and wellness. During
the past few years, the Let's Move campaign and My Plate nutrition
guidelines have been in the national spotlight as ways to reduce obesity,
heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. However, improving one's health and
wellness starts locally - and often at a park or within a recreation center. As a
park and recreation professional, you know the role your agency's programs and
facilities play in improving health in your community. You also know there is not
a one-size-fits-all strategy for better health, particularly when it comes to children.
Youth sports are an activity that often
disguises its health and wellness impact
behind an image of fun and celebration.
Many children love playing sports and
many enjoy being part of a team. They
don't go into sports thinking about how
movement will strengthen muscles and
improve flexibility or how deep breaths
improve lung capacity. They probably
aren't thinking about the calories they
will burn. Kids go into sports because
they want to have fun. However, many
children are only able to participate in

40	 Parks & Recreation

sports because of the opportunities created through local parks and recreation.
Creating access to safe, affordable
sports is a significant benefit to youngsters. And, providing opportunities for
children with interests in nontraditional sports ensures everyone has the opportunity to engage in healthy physical
activity. This is just what ESPN had
in mind when it approached NRPA
last year with a desire to improve children's access to sports through local,
community-based park and recreation

| J U LY 2 0 1 5 | W W W. N R PA . O R G

programs. Born from the belief that all
children should have the opportunity
to participate in sports, ESPN Access
to Sports grants fund programs and
projects to support youth sports. In
spring 2015, grants of $15,000 each
were awarded to Los Angeles, California; Hartford, Connecticut; Coral Gables, Florida; New York, New York;
Mecklenburg County, North Carolina;
Chicago, Illinois; and Austin, Texas.
For more information, visit www.nrpa.
org/ESPNaccesstosports or contact
Colleen Pittard at cpittard@nrpa.org.
The grants are helping to expand
girls softball and basketball programs, develop Ultimate Frisbee,
start up street hockey and make infrastructure improvements to park
spaces supporting youth sports. For
example, Mecklenburg County is using its grant to renovate three youth



July 2015 - Parks & Recreation

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of July 2015 - Parks & Recreation

July 2015 - Parks & Recreation - 1
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