Gloucester Parks, Recreation and Tourism invites everyone to celebrate Family Health and Fitness Day on Saturday, June 13, and to discover how parks build healthy communities.
Activities are planned through June 14. Organized by the National Recreation and Park Association, Family Health and Fitness Day promotes the importance of local parks and recreation in keeping communities healthy.
To celebrate, PRT encourages everyone to connect with the county office on Facebook to find out how they can celebrate safely. Posts beginning June 1 will give ideas and times to get ready to participate. Posts will include ideas on how your family can participate, on how your neighborhood can participate and how Gloucester PRT offers parks with space and trails for your participation.
Gloucester PRT will also have a Virtual 5K, with several courses throughout the county, or mark off and use your own course. Look for our yellow “A Frame” signs, at Beaverdam, Abingdon, Ark and Main Street, with more info. Use #NRPAFamilyFitDay and #GtownPRT to share your family’s story on Facebook.
Residents also can participate in one of NRPA’s top five ways to get fit with parks and recreation: Take a walk; Cook a healthy meal; Enroll in a virtual fitness program; Create your own exercise routine, or Play outside.
Parks and recreation professionals nationwide offer year-round opportunities for families and individuals to stay active and fit, and now more than ever, they are providing innovative ways for people to stay connected to critical programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Living close to parks and other recreation facilities is also consistently related to higher physical activity levels for both adults and youth, a Gloucester PRT release stated. To learn more about the health and wellness opportunities offered in Gloucester, visit www.gloucesterva.info/pr.
Celebrated the second Saturday in June each year, Family Health and Fitness Day is an opportunity for everyone to discover all the health benefits provided by their local park and recreation department. To learn more about Family Health and Fitness Day, visit www.nrpa.org/familyfitness.
The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all people have access to parks and recreation for health, conservation and social equity. Through its network of 60,000 recreation and park professionals and advocates, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles, conservation initiatives and equitable access to parks and public space.
For more information, visit www.nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org.