Toolkit: 7 Elements of a Complete Park System


Complete Parks Playbook

Many communities often lack access to safe parks and green spaces. This Complete Parks Playbook by ChangeLab Solutions can help decision makers in communities assess and improve their park system. Decision makers cannot determine park access by park existence alone, but they must take into account numerous factors: how people travel to parks; how parks are designed; what types of activities and amenities are provided; how, by whom and when parks are used; what types of plants and trees are planted in parks; how parks are maintained; and how parks are funded. Therefore, it is necessary to assess the following 7 elements when determining the status of a park system: Connect: creating safe routes to parks Locate: ensuring access to park Grow: planting and maintaining ...

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#SaludTues Tweetchat 1p ET 7/21/15: ‘Sugary Beverage Campaigns’


sugary drink tweetchat

San Francisco, Illinois, Bexar County, New York City, and many more communities throughout the US are making waves when it comes to raising awareness about the harmful effects of sugary drinks. Why should you be concerned about sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) like high calorie sodas, juices, sports drinks and teas? Join us for a #SaludTues tweetchat on July 21, 2015, to learn more about the great work around SSB campaigns happening across the county. WHAT: #SaludTues Tweetchat: “Sugary Beverage Campaigns” DATE: Tuesday, July 21, 2015 TIME: 1-2 p.m. ET (Noon-1 p.m. CT) WHERE: On Twitter with hashtag #SaludTues HOST: @SaludAmerica CO-HOSTS: @OpenTruthNow @PrevObesityIL @YoureTheCureTX @hlthcollab SPECIAL GUEST: @nycHealthy We’ll open the floor to your ...

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Sugary Drinks A Main Cause of Death Studies Report


kid drinking water

Over the years there has been multiple studies that show the links of consuming sugary drinks to healthcare problems, such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and cancers. A comprehensive report combined patterns of beverage consumption within 51 countries over 30 years with availability and consumption of sugar in 187 countries. This study revealed the first-ever global report on the effect of sugar-sweetened beverages on death rates. Studies showed that the United States was ranked second for death rates associated with sugary beverages. In fact, the report revealed that chronic disease was attributed to sugary beverages more in younger adults than elder adults. Overall sugar consumption throughout the world is on the rise. The report shows countries that have ...

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Be A Part Of Chop Chop Cooking Club!


Chop Chop Cooking Club!

Looking for a easy way to cook with the kids and commit to eating dinner at home? Check out the Chop Chop Cooking Club! Starting to cook at home can be a fun and enjoyable way for kids to learn about healthy food and bring the family to the table. Chop Chop helps kids be more active in the kitchen with a new recipe every month. Offering ways to bring healthier foods home, the organization is sharing free recipes and asking families to pledge to cook dinner at home at least once a month. They also ask that participants finish six challenges and put a picture up to receive virtual badges and win prizes like a Le Creuset Stainless Steel Frying Pan or a Kitchen Aid blender. To learn more and sign up for the challenge, visit ...

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San Antonio Unpacks the Truth Of Sugary Beverages



To inform and educate the San Antonio community on just how much sugar is in the beverages people consume daily, health officials and community leaders partnered to launch the bilingual Sugar-Packed marketing campaign. After San Antonio’s previous attempts to tackle sugary drink consumption fizzled out, Nelson Wolff, judge of Bexar County, which includes San Antonio, and his partners reignited a campaign against sugar with hopes to change the way residents look at sugar in beverages and its effect on health. The campaign includes print and online materials, including a sugar calculator tool, educational brochures, and posters. The Issue of Sugary Drinks and Health Awareness: In 1997, Bexar County’s Health Collaborative formed as a coalition of health agencies that aim to ...

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#SaludTues Tweetchat 1p ET 7/7/15: How Families Can Eat Healthy This Summer


eating healthier for summer

Summer brings fun, sun, and—too often—poor health for kids. Emerging evidence shows children gain more weight during summer months than they do during the school year, and fitness gains children achieve during the school year are erased over the summer. How can families stay healthy over the summer? Let’s use #SaludTues on July 7, 2015, to tweet recipes, tips, and other resources that can make sure all peole eat healthy and stay active while we celebrate summer vacation: WHAT: #SaludTues Tweetchat: “How Families Can Eat Healthy This Summer” DATE: Tuesday, July 7, 2015 TIME: 1-2 p.m. ET (Noon-1 p.m. CT) WHERE: On Twitter with hashtag #SaludTues HOST: @SaludAmerica CO-HOSTS: ChopChop Magazine, a bilingual publication that teaches kids to cook and eat ...

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New Food App To Find Local Farmers Markets & More


food healthy app

Looking for the next best place to eat or buy the freshest local veggies? Eat Well Guide app can help you do just that. A movement to know were your food comes from and eat sustainable products is becoming increasingly popular. Technology may help build the bridge for consumers with looking for healthier options. Created by GRACE Communication Foundation, the app allows users to find local farmers market or the closest restaurants with sustainable products. Leslie Hatfield, GRACE’s communications director in a recent article stated: “We want to show people that there are places that are better than McDonalds.” On their website, Eat Well Guide state that it help's people "eat local, even when your not" a local. Access to healthy options through free or easily applicable ...

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Salud America! and Chef Johnny Team Up to Share Kid-Friendly Summer Healthy Recipes


Chef Johnny saludsummer campaign for summer

Did you know kids gain more weight during their summer vacation than they do the entire school year? That’s why Salud America! and San Antonio celebrity Chef Johnny Hernandez are partnering to launch #SaludSummer, a social media recipe-sharing campaign to promote healthy—and fun—eating for families during the summer. Starting on July 1, the campaign will use #SaludSummer to share one new kid-friendly recipe a week on social media by Chef Johnny, who puts his passion for Latino flavors, including fresh fruit cups, licuados (smoothies), and tortas into practice at his restaurants in San Antonio and Las Vegas. People also can share photos of their own healthy foods on social media using #SaludSummer and be entered into a random drawing for a grand prize—a Jawbone fitness ...

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Children & Green Spaces: Studies Show Increase In Memory, Attention


green spaces

Studies from all over are funneling down on the facts about how nature and the great outdoors prove to help the learning environment for kids and adults alike. A recent study from US National Library of Health, reveals a link between the "greenness" of green spaces and school performance. Another study in 2015 from University of British Columbia, shows that rough play, usually in outdoor settings, increase a child's health socially and physically. These studies are finding the benefits of nature and being outdoors are helpful for: Cognitive Development Memory Function Critical Reasoning Diversified Learning Physical health To read more on this check out the full ...

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