Healthy Parks Healthy People US Strengthening a Common Well -being. April 5-6, 2011 Meeting Minutes

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1 Healthy Parks Healthy People US Strengthening a Common Well -being April 5-6, 2011 Meeting Minutes

Healthy Parks Healthy People US 2011 Strengthening a Common Well -being April 5 6, 2011 San Francisco, CA MEETING MINUTES Meeting Purpose & Background On April 5-6, National Park Service (NPS)

2 Healthy Parks Healthy People US 2011 Strengthening a Common Well -being April 5 6, 2011 San Francisco, CA MEETING MINUTES Meeting Purpose & Background On April 5-6, National Park Service (NPS) Director Jon Jarvis convened a meeting among visionaries, leaders and innovators representing a diverse array of sectors and interests to explore ways to strengthen the connection between public lands and public health. The purpose of the meeting was to advise the National Park Service on its unique role in promoting health and to foster new partnerships. Meeting Design The meeting was designed with a focus on supporting opportunities for deep dialogue and discussion. Participants were encouraged to listen intently to each other and were guided by the following three simple ground rules for interaction and engagement: - Share air time - All ideas welcome - Experts in equal measure A series of questions were explored among participants in panels, small groups, and special interest groups, with an aim to address the following: How can national, state, and local parks combine forces with business innovators, healthcare leaders, scientists and advocacy organizations to promote wellness and reduce healthcare costs? How can we influence a cultural shift to value parks for health? What can community leaders and managers learn from experts and visionaries in order to make this a sustainable idea that affects behavior at its core? How is human health dependent on the health of all species and the planet we share, and in what ways can parks and open spaces strengthen these connections? A graphic recording of the meeting was captured by The Grove Consultants. A sample of the graphic recording is offered in the appendix to this report and the full set of graphic recording for this meeting is provided as a separate attachment to augment this meeting summary. Described within, are key highlights that emanated from the dialogue and discussion at this meeting, across three levels of engagement: 1) Participation 2) Inspiration 3) Sustaining the Movement 2

3 PARTICIPATION Approximately 90 people met over the course of 1 ½ days, with a shared interest in exploring opportunities for strengthening the nexus of public lands and public health. Meeting participants represented a broad diversity of sectors and interests including education, environmental, recreation, concessions, food, youth, minorities, public health, research, communications, corporate, health and medical care. The meeting agenda, open and closing remarks from Director Jarvis, and full list of participants and their bios can be found at the meeting website at: The morning of the first day was dedicated to making introductions, listening to a conversation with Director Jon Jarvis and representatives from Let s Move, UnitedHealth Group and Healthy Parks Healthy People/Parks Victoria, Australia, followed by rotating conversations in small groups of 4-5 people to share ideas on the contributions individuals and organizations to explore the following: What strengths does my organization have that can contribute to this movement? What are the big opportunities to connect health & parks? Communities of Practice The afternoon of the first day was dedicated to an Experts on Tap session. A graphic recording of these conversations is provided as an appendix to this summary. A sampling of highlights emanating from these discussions and throughout the meeting, are illuminated below, organized around nine communities of practice discussion areas: 1) Medical 2) Active recreation 3) Research 4) Communications 5) Food 6) Eco-system health 7) Youth 8) National plans and strategies 9) Emerging topics Medical Community In order to the strengthen the connection between public lands and public health, the medical community should continue to support and build on existing models such as AIM HI, Park Rxs, Train the Trainer, Nature Champions, Diabetes Prevention, Employee Wellness. New endeavors to start: Economic modeling to determine return on investment for various efforts; Work with employers, who are motivated for health change as an economic incentive (Employers might include Aramark, Safeway, Hospitals, Sutter Health); New pilots with evaluation; Large cohort studies; Teach nutrition, health promotion in medical school/residency programs; Doctor Ranger- Doctor program; Medical Fellow program; Insurance company reimbursements for physical activity outdoors; Park Rx for veterinarians (benefit for people and their pets). 3

Active Recreation Community In order to the strengthen the connection between public lands and public health, the recreation community should continue to work together across local, state, regional

4 Active Recreation Community In order to the strengthen the connection between public lands and public health, the recreation community should continue to work together across local, state, regional and national parks to promote each other. New endeavors to consider: Connect parks, schools, and other open spaces to provide a network of access; Add more urban parks that include active recreation; Bring NPS policies and practices into alignment with the goal of supporting active recreation (i.e. day pass); Community gardens in parks; Offer an X-prize connecting underserved communities to parks; Teach outdoor skills, camping at safe entry points; A blog to stay in touch. Research Community In order to strengthen the connection between public lands and public health, the research community should continue to work together build capacity of interdisciplinary park and health research. New endeavors to start: Develop a research agenda that addresses physical activity, diet, mental health; Research the context of play; Build on current surveys; Design interventions for all ages; Develop controlled experiments go beyond surveys; Disseminate findings quickly. Communications Community In order to strengthen the connection between public lands and public health, the communications community should continue to document how parks change lives and to continue to rely on corporate donations to fund these efforts. New endeavors to start: Targeted messaging for at risk health populations; Find what attracts kid s attention and use it to connect health and parks; How to communicate the feeling of walking in the woods; Create a transformational message; Use artists and writers in development and delivery of messages; Develop a unified brand message, (i.e. recycling, seatbelts) Create an over-arching umbrella campaign; Connect health and exercise programs to cultural and historical parks; Develop micro messaging (i.e. Fueling the Soldier Athlete, Your Brain on Parks); Expand Junior Ranger Let s Move programs to promote health and fitness. 4

5 Healthy Foods Community In order to strengthen the connection between public lands and public health, the healthy foods community should build on what is going on now in the system, some of which is captured in the newly released Food for the Parks Report. New endeavors to start: Create NPS standard/policy for purchasing healthy foods; Develop new pilots in parks focused on education, cooking techniques, and sourcing; Adopt Healthy Foods as the next priority for the partnership effort between National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD), National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) and National Park Service. Inspect and reward park service and concessionaires in partnership; Use the newly forming Food Corps to bring healthy, sustainable food to local, state, national parks. Ecosystem Health Community In order to the strengthen the connection between public lands and public health, the ecosystem health community should continue to maintain and restore functioning ecosystems through land use planning, surveillance of exotic species to control and prevent encroachment in the future, and actively support efforts around sustainability of people and the planet. New endeavors to start: Ensure our land use policies and activities do not violate or disrupt eco-system health, while positively impacting human health; Combine story-telling around eco-system health needs; emphasize positive change and impact made on ecosystem health; The potential of emerging infectious diseases in parks remains a constant threat requiring an interdisciplinary One Health approach; Educate K-12 on eco-system health and park system; Create models + evidence that continue to make the case for connecting environmental and human health; Requires new research efforts. Youth Community In order to the strengthen the connection between public lands and public health, the youth community should continue to develop programs that relate to what is going on in the community and keeps it relevant to their daily lives. Models to build on include park check-ins, WIFI boots in campsites, Great Park Pursuit program in CT, National Council of Cities Youth Institute. New endeavors to start: Provide gateway experiences then follow up (i.e., Groupon promo, Forest Service Conservation Education Consortium in California); Invest more in park based recreation; Identify communication tools that resonate with youth (i.e., social media); Youth empowerment programs designed by/with and for young people; University of Pennsylvania students adopting schools could students adopt parks? 5

6 National Plans and Strategies In order to the strengthen the connection between public lands and public health, NPS should align efforts with existing national plans and strategies. National plans and strategies that should be incorporated into NPS efforts include: Healthy People 2020 National Physical Activity Plan National Prevention Strategy National Collaborative on Childhood Obesity Research Bipartisan Policy Center s Healthy Living Initiative Let s Move One Health America s Great Outdoors New endeavors to start: A new science agenda Coordinated strategies and metrics for state wildlife plans (administered by Fish and Wildlife Service), State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plans (administered by National Park Service) and CDC s state indicator report on American s access to parks. Emerging Topics In order to strengthen the connection between public lands and public health, the emerging topics community discussed over-arching themes and new approaches to making these connections. New ways of thinking about the connection of public lands and public health that were identified: Urban Parks are the people s portal to our national parks. In these economic times we may not be able to acquire more land instead, we can restore urban core/ red fields. We need to create a life-long relationship for people with nature. It s not about the place; it s about the state of well-being. Parks were the 1 st social network. We need a universal brand Make it cool. It s essential It s a right Incentivize connecting with nature with health and well-being. 6

7 INSPIRATION Reflection time was dedicated to receiving personal testimonies from Majora Carter, a social justice advocate, and founder of the Sustainable Bronx Initiative, and Ernesto Pepito, Youth Conservation Leader, of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. Both shared a common theme of hope, healing and resiliency in health and well-being that is tied to our connections with nature and the environment. A set of story board scrolls inspired by the conversations and ideas generated during the meeting was developed and presented by Lisa Maulhardt, of Stone Yamashita Partners. This text has been revised from the original version presented at the meeting, and is provided below as an inspirational message to convey the Ethos of Public Lands and Public Health by the National Park Service Health Promotion Steering Committee members. 1. WHAT WE BELIEVE. As champions of people s health and of our local, state, and national park system, we ve come together to affirm our shared belief in the power of nature to improve the lives and well-being of Americans. We believe, as fellow humans, that people have a right, a duty, and a responsibility to interact with the world. We believe that doing so makes us all healthier, happier, and better custodians of our planet. We believe, as Americans, that it s time to look critically at the health of our nation and bring back the simple, fun, and absolutely vital practice of spending time outdoors to encourage personal health, forge community, and sustain humanity. Because we are uniquely privileged to live in a place so abundant in natural beauty, we believe we would be remiss if we did not take advantage of this good fortune to enrich our own well-being and to share generously with others, thereby ensuring a strong global community for centuries to come. Healthy parks and open spaces mean healthy ecosystems, and healthy ecosystems mean thriving plants, animals, and people. We believe, as leaders in our sectors and disciplines, that it is our urgent duty to create a platform for parks, providers, and prescribers to work together to encourage and enable all people to spend time in America s parks which will improve the health of millions of people Ethos of Public Lands and Public Health As champions of people s health and of our local, state, and national park system, we ve come together to affirm our shared belief in the power of nature to improve the lives and well-being of Americans. We believe, as fellow humans, that people have a right, a duty, and a responsibility to interact with the world. We believe that doing so makes us all healthier, happier, and better custodians of our planet. 7

8 which will popularize parks and create support among the public which will, in turn, help more Americans be able to visit and provide more support to more parks. 2. WHAT WE SEE. As a community of cross-sector leaders who seek practical measures for improving the health of parks, people, and our planet, we ve come together to commit to a vision of the future. A future in which 10,000+ national, state, and regional parks and open spaces are as vital to America s health as are our most trusted hospitals and research institutions. A future in which both the sick and the well routinely spend time outdoors, whether as a component of their prescribed medical treatment or as a core activity for maintaining healthy lifestyles and preventing chronic disease. A future in which Americans seek as much time in nature as they do in front of a digital screen, because they want to maintain their physical and mental well-being as well as their social networks. A future in which our parks are models not only for active living but also for healthy eating, consistently providing nutritious, sustainable, and affordable food options to the visiting public. A future in which our government leaders act to maintain every American s right and privilege to access our parks as part of their right to pursue health and well-being. A future in which government, private, and not-for-profit leaders partner to create new value for our parks, for a new era in American history. A future in which our country is stronger for being led, inhabited, and loved by strong, healthy Americans. 8

9 Action Ideas As the final small group activity on the second day, a creative time for exploring actions and activities was provided. Participants volunteered their own action ideas and offered to host a conversation on the proposed idea. The creativity and energy in the room was unleashed and participants were free to join action team discussions of their own choosing. Eight action areas received a positive response and a following among participants in the room. Ideas generated in these discussions are described below. PARK PRESCRIPTIONS Goal: Incorporate park prescriptions as part of a comprehensive tool kit. Objectives: Incentives for patient and provider Messaging heard everywhere Trainings Create One Health community Stewardship as a vital sign Prescriptions (people and pets) Notes: Build on existing models such as American Academy of Family Physician s Americans in Motion Healthy Interventions program (AIM HI), Providence Rhode Island, YMCA s programs, Smoking Cessation, National Environmental Education Foundation s (NEEF s) Nature Champions program. Ecology vs. human interest not mutually exclusive. EQUAL ACCESS Goal: Equal access to safe parks Objectives: Create jobs Build community resilience Develop a conservation ethic in all communities Provide Quality programming Develop culturally complete messages and messengers Establish access standards (e.g. park within X distance, X minutes Ranger-Lawyer- Ranger program Note: rely on existing tools, including Joint Use/ N Plan, Park Excellence/TPL, The City Project; Let s move cities and towns, NRPA. FOOD IN PARKS Goal: Serve healthy, sustainable, delicious food that is reasonably priced. Objectives: - Eating as a park experience - Food integrated into cultural experience of the parks - Food supports education of the visitor on health and sustainability - Food supports park concessioner sustainably 9

10 RESEARCH Goal: Evidence base for park design and management to promote health. Objectives: Develop a strategic plan for health research Monitor and evaluate physical activity, nutrition, mental health Link parks, health research to park management Key tasks: Develop/monitor measurement tools. Identify/evaluate critical indicators. Identify exposures in park (i.e., what are we dosing?) Identify broad questions Launch a research community Commission a NPS state of the science review. Link in the NPS science committee COMMUNITY TREASURE CHEST OF OPPORTUNITIES Goal: Centralized information to get folks outdoors. Objectives: Real time Clear and simple Connected Flexible Increase confidence in using outdoors Accessible (racially, culturally, economically) Fun! Success factors: asset map complete, focus groups love it, lots of people use it. Existing resources: Google; Find Recreation, Every Trail, Park websites, America s Your Park, Transit to Trails. NATIONAL CAMPAIGN/UMBRELLA MOVEMENT Goal: National campaign to create healthier people and healthy parks. Objectives: Increase in number of people outdoors, more often; Create common voice, common language. X-PRIZE/STEALTH HEALTH IN THE PARKS DESIGN COMPETITION Goal: Deepening park experience through design, modeled after the X Prize. Objectives: On ramps to connect urban audiences to parks Create new generation of park goers Art, Ecosystems. Food, Human interactions, Fun Notes: How to connect people in the Bronx to Yellowstone? Bringing nature sounds to the city. Camp ground of the future? 10

11 EMPLOYER WELLNESS PROGRAMS Goal: Incorporate parks/outdoors in employer wellness plans. Key tasks: - Build the case (document examples, stories from Safeway, Sutter Health, Healthy Hospitals, others) - Involve CDC in developing practice to practice stories - Promote with case studies, champions, HR departments. - Include prizes as part of the incentive Low hanging fruit = large employers because they want to reduce their healthcare costs. SUSTAINING THE MOVEMENT NPS HEALTHY PARKS HEALTHY PEOPLE ACTION PLAN The National Park Service Health Promotion Steering Committee will prepare a NPS Healthy Parks Healthy People US Action Plan, for consideration for acceptance by Director Jon Jarvis within the sixty days following the Healthy Parks Healthy People Convening. The Action Plan will include near term and long term strategies, actions and practices emanating from the input and advice received at this meeting and will build on the unique role of the National Park Service as a convener and exemplar to promote health and well-being in the context of sustainability of humans and sustainability of the planet. Clear ties to America s Great Outdoors and Let s Move will be made to strategically align actions of the National Park Service in developing an action plan leading up to 2016, which marks the Centennial of the National Park System. Opportunities will be sought to build on communities of practice to nurture and sustain this movement, with a focus to facilitate management actions that can be taken at the park and community level. ANNOUNCEMENTS Two major announcements by the National Park Service were made at this convening as follows. HEALTHY FOODS IN NATIONAL PARKS ANNOUNCEMENT National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis announced a new service-wide strategy to provide healthy food options to all national park visitors. The Healthy Foods Strategy will help ensure that national park visitors have access to healthy, sustainable, and high- Sustaining the Healthy Parks Healthy People Movement This is a movement that has enormous potential for us to link the health of the planet to the health of the community to the health of families and to the health of individuals.... All we really need to do is to take the inspiration of what we have heard these last few days... and to link those sparks of innovation into communities of practices where they can feed on each other s ideas to grow and inspire this movement. If we do that, and make it fun at the same time,....we really can change the world. Jon Jarvis National Park Service Director 11

12 quality food at reasonable prices, while reducing our overall impact on the environment. HEALTHY PARKS HEALTHY PEOPLE INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis announced NPS interest and intent to host a Healthy Parks Healthy People International Congress in late 2013 or early This meeting will provide an opportunity for everyone to build on the energy and momentum of this movement over the next couple of years, and then to convene to share lessons learned and celebrate success with others. UPCOMING MEETINGS 2011 AND 2012 A number of national meetings were announced, for everyone to consider attending in 2011 and National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) Congress and Exposition o Atlanta, Georgia, November 1-4, 2011 City Parks Alliance Conference o New York City, New York, July, 2012 Weight of the Nation Conference, Centers for Disease Control o Washington DC, 2012 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The National Park Service Health Promotion Steering Committee and staff provided leadership, guidance, inspiration and creative energy that was instrumental in providing for the successful design and execution of this meeting. NPS Health Promotion Steering Committee Members: CAPT Chuck Higgins, Director, Office of Public Health (Chair) Peggy O Dell, Deputy Director of Operations (Charter member, Honorary Chair) Chris Lehnertz, Pacific West Regional Director Jerry Simpson, Associate Director, Workforce Management Celinda Pena, Assistant Director, Communications Dr. Gary Machlis, Science Advisor to the Director Ali Kelley, Special Assistant to the Director Howard Levitt, Dir. Communications and Partnerships, Golden Gate National Recreation Area Diana Allen, Deputy Chief, Health Promotion Branch, Office of Public Health Dr. Margaret Wild, Lead NPS Veterinarian, Wildlife Health and Management Program Dr. David Wong, Chief, Epidemiology and Health Promotion Branch, Office of Public Health Key NPS Staff: Jim Gasser, Events & Protocol Mgr, Director s Office Paul Schwarz, NPS Office of Public Health Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park Jeannie Whitler, Land Resources Division WASO A Very Special Thanks to the Institute at the Golden Gate: The National Park Service is grateful to our friends at the Institute at the Golden Gate who helped co-host this event: Cleveland Justis, Executive Director, Stephanie Duncan, Program Manager, at Institute at the Golden Gate. 12

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14 APPENDIX Experts on Tap Graphic Recording. 1 of 2

15 APPENDIX Experts on Tap Graphic Recording, 2 of 2

Healthy Parks, Healthy People US

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Healthy Parks, Healthy People US Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to