A Tool for Planners, Parks & Recreation Professionals, and Health Practitioners
Consider this workbook as a starting point. Every project is different. This workbook is intended as a guide to be adapted for specific situations.
by National Park Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Parks and trails support community and individual well-being. Access to these resources can help increase residents’ physical activity, support mental health, and foster community and social interactions. Parks and trails development can also benefit local environments and support community wellness. Sensitive areas such as flood plains may be protected, ecosystem services preserved, and areas prone to natural disasters shielded from development that would put people at heightened risk.
Why is a health workbook for park and trail planners needed? Explicit recognition of public health connections and goals in relation to planning efforts is not always obvious. Integrating public health concepts in planning processes can best ensure the full realization of park and trail health benefits.
Purpose of Workbook
This workbook is intended as an outline and quick guide for incorporating
public health considerations in the development of a park or trail. Its
intended and potential uses include helping you:
Attached document published April 2020
The National Park Service (NPS) was created in 1916 and today manages over 390 units found in all 50 states and some of the U.S. territories. NPS supports and operates trails in three interlocking arenas: trails in parks, technical assistance to States and communities, and administration of much of the National Trails System.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is the leading national public health institute of the United States. The CDC is a United States federal agency under the Department of Health and Human Services and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
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