ParksRX, Arizona

About the Program

Category: Health (Best in Category)

Year: 2021

ParkRx Arizona, as administered by Maricopa County Department of Public Health’s (MCDPH) Office of Nutrition and Active Living, originated from the national program with intentions to initiate programming within the offices of healthcare providers. ParkRx program content encourages clinicians to “prescribe” park activity and connections to nature to combat chronic conditions and diseases associated with sedentary lifestyles. By contrast, while ParkRx Arizona at MCDPH shares the name and branding, it deviates from the national program with an emphasis that activity programming starts from within the community and neighbors who share a park site in underserved parts of our cities. ParkRx Arizona at MCDPH is investing in the health of our target communities, providing active living opportunities, and investing in the training and confidence of community leaders facilitating the activities. In order to thrive, the program has discovered generous partners with a shared commitment to public health and healthy park conditions. The results are that people, communities, and parks all benefit.