Creating Healthier Places

National Recreation and Park Association

2017 Progress Report

Year Committed: 2014
Length of Commitment: 5 years
Select a Progress Report:

Encourage 2,000 park and recreation sites to join the national effort to create healthier environments for children in out-of-school time programs. This includes encouraging sites nationwide to adopt established guidelines based on The National Afterschool Association Standards for Healthy Eating and Physical Activity that address healthy eating, physical activity, and youth and parent education.

Verified Results

  • Commitment Element

    NRPA did not have any reporting or compliance deadlines in 2017.

    Progress To Date

    N/A

Partner Statement

“Park and recreation agencies are leading the way to healthier communities across the country. Since 2014, over 1,650 local park and recreation sites have implemented the Healthy Eating Physical Activity standards in their out-of-school time programs, impacting over 293,000 children annually with increased access to nutritious foods and increased opportunities for physical activity. In four years, agencies have successfully changed their menus to offer healthier foods. Based on recent verification data, 85% of all sites are ensuring that there is a fruit and vegetable at every meal, 89% of sites serve dairy products that are low-fat or fat free and 95% of sites ensure that water is available to program participants. 97% of park and recreation sites have modified their program and activity schedules to make sure that kids are meeting the daily requirements for physical activity and 90% of sites are limiting digital device time. And, park and recreation agencies are providing evidence-based nutrition literacy during their programs, leading to a 20% increase in healthy living knowledge and creating healthy eating and physical activity behavior changes. From increased fruit and vegetable consumption to families reporting that they are enjoying getting active and cooking healthy meals together, communities of all shapes and sizes are experiencing the benefits of local parks and recreation and their commitment to health.”