July is National Park and Recreation Month

Cobleskill, NY – [June 27, 2014] – If you’re feeling cramped and like you don’t get to spend enough time outside, you’re not the only one. Nearly three in 10 U.S. adults do not spend time outside on a daily basis and of those who do, almost half spend less than 30 minutes in the fresh air according to a new survey released by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs. That’s why this July, Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work and Play and NRPA are challenging everyone to get out and visit their community parks and recreation during national Park and Recreation Month. 

This year’s theme, “OUT is IN,” encourages individuals, families, friends and coworkers to do something outside everyday that they would normally do inside. From picnicking in the park instead of sitting inside at a table to sending an email or even holding a meeting outside, there are small ways you can make going OUT part of your daily routine. The parks and facilities in Schoharie County offer ample opportunities to go OUTside, get INspired, change your OUTlook and get INvolved. 

Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work and Play has been working with local communities to improve the recreational facilities around Schoharie County. Improvements have been made in Esperance, Schoharie, Middleburgh, Sharon Springs, Conesville, Blenheim and Cobleskill. Many improvements will be getting installed this month so look for grand opening celebrations around the County. Hopefully this will encourage residents to get OUT and explore IN Schoharie County, says Maureen Blanchard, Project Coordinator for Creating Healthy Places. Check the website and Facebook page for updates on installation and grand opening festivities. 

In addition to getting involved in Park and Recreation Month locally, people are encouraged to take the OUT is IN 31-day social media challenge on Twitter and Instagram by posting photos of themselves doing typical inside activities outside with the hashtag #JulyOUTisIN. 

To learn more about getting OUTside and INvolved during Park and Recreation Month, visit www.schohariecreatinghealthyplaces.com and www.nrpa.org/July. 

Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work and Play is a grant initiative through New York State Department of Health to increase access to places to be active and to fresh fruits and vegetables around Schoharie County. The grant was awarded to SUNY Cobleskill in 2010 for 5 years. The focus of the grant was to make changes to policies, systems or the environment to help promote a healthier lifestyle. Current funding expires in 2015. 

The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people. Through its network of 40,000 recreation and park professionals and citizens, 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.