Photo Credit: Tennessee State Parks
From mountains that roll in like waves to rivers, no one spot in Tennessee looks the same from day to day as each vibrant seasonal change transforms the landscape. It’s no wonder that nature is so beneficial to physical, mental, and developmental health. With 56 state parks, there are thousands of miles of trails, walkways, and waterways for visitors to experience the outdoors and engage in physical activity at no cost. If that, along with the health benefits isn’t enough to get one going, there is now a new program that encourages people to go outside and disconnect from their electronic devices.
Tennessee State Parks (TSP) and the Tennessee Department of Health (TDOH) teamed up in 20156 to develop a program called Healthy Parks Healthy Person. This mobile device application was created to boost activity in parks and also increase residents’ overall health. The program allows individuals to log physical activities completed at any park in Tennessee, whether state, national, county, or city. Experiences can include hiking, walking, biking, running, swimming, paddling, rock climbing, or playing a sport. Each activity accrues points that can then be redeemed for rewards at any state park. These rewards can be free camping, cabins, meals, golf, or gift shop items.
The program also includes a Park Prescription feature—considered the heart of the program—to reach people who need the program the most. The park prescription pad looks similar to a “normal” prescription pad and guides participants to the Healthy Parks Healthy Person application. TDOH officials encourage residents to talk to their healthcare providers about options for engaging in outdoor activities. This also gives providers a way to refer patients to take the initiative to participate in outdoor activity as a counterpart to treat physical and mental-health issues.