By Kellie May publi c hea lth Increasing Access to Parks for All Community Members A ccess to parks provides increased opportunities for all members of a com- munity to be physically active and lead a healthy lifestyle. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only 20.3 percent of census blocks in the United States have a park located within a half-mile of the boundary. provide a safe and friendly atmosphere for people to gather. Park and recreation agencies are becoming leaders in preventive health, and giving every citizen access to a park is becoming increasingly critical to the health and well-being of all. Often, barriers such as safe and affordable public transportation, environmental safety concerns, and poorly maintained facilities prevent community members from using their parks. These barriers Manamana / lipsky /shutterstock Now more than ever, access to parks and opportunities for physical activity play an integral role in the health of people of all ages. In 2009, nearly 2.4 million more adults were obese than in 2007 and childhood obesity rates have continued to rise drastically, nearly tripling in the past 30 years, according to the CDC. Parks not only provide community members opportunities for increased physical activity but they also serve as community hubs. They www.NRPA .ORG MA Y 2 0 1 1 Parks & Recreation 33