November 2019 - Parks & Recreation - 28

H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S

Parks and Recreation as Community
Health and Wellness Hubs
By Lesha Spencer-Brown, MPH, CPH

T

he concept of a " community hub " is certainly not a new one! However, it has received attention and gained significant traction over the
past several years, most notably, by several library systems across the
country that are reinventing themselves to become social services
hubs that offer a variety of social services to meet the needs of the community.
Local parks and recreation, being the cornerstone of nearly every community
- places where everyone can go to be active, healthier, connect with nature
and the community as a whole - are also uniquely positioned to serve as
health and wellness hubs in communities across the country.

A " hub " is defined as " the effective
center of an activity, region network. " And by extension, a " community hub " is a central gathering
place and access point for a variety
of programs and services - such
as wellness programs, healthcare,
childcare, education, employment
and other social services, cultural and recreation opportunities,
among others. Typically, the ma-

jority of community hubs respond
to the health and wellness needs of
the community and can be established in many different settings,
including healthcare, churches,
libraries, schools and community
centers. While the range of services offered by community hubs
may look different from community to community, they all serve as a
gateway to the community and are
essential because they:

The Baylor Scott & White Family Health Center (physician clinic) and
the Baylor Scott & White Health and Wellness Center are housed
within the Juanita J. Craft Recreation Center in South Dallas, Texas.

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Parks & Recreation

| N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 | W W W. PA R K S A N D R E C R E AT I O N . O R G

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE HEALTH

What Is a Community Hub?

* Showcase the range of services
available in the community,
thereby resulting in " easy-tofind " community resources
* Provide year-round or pop-up
services in an accessible location
or, alternatively, serve as a referral point for services
* Serve as gathering places for community members and visitors,
which result in improved community connectedness and inclusion
* Promote results-driven, multisector
partnerships among community
businesses and organizations
* Improve the efficiency, affordability
and sustainability of community
services from the pooling of community resources, a significant benefit to under-resourced and underserved communities
Many local park and recreation
agencies are already positioned as
community health and wellness
hubs and offer a wide range of
programs and services, including
access to healthy foods by way of
farmers markets, community-supported agriculture programs, older adult congregate and homedelivered meal programs, as well
as afterschool and out-of-school
time meal programs for youth;
unstructured
and
structured
physical activity opportunities,
including evidence-based chronic
disease prevention and management programs; social, emotional
and mental health services and
opportunities; educational and
enrichment programs; transportation assistance; social services
November 2019 - Parks & Recreation

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November 2019 - Parks & Recreation
