New NRPA Implementation Guide Seeks to Advance Equitable Opportunities for All

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) has launched a new resource designed to support park and recreation and public health professionals in ensuring all community members have equitable access to high-quality parks, trails, and greenways for safe physical activity. This work supports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Active People, Healthy Nation Initiative which aims to help 27 million people become more physically active by 2027.

The Active Parks! Implementation Guide is grounded in research from the Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF), which recommends combining park, trail, and greenway infrastructure improvements with additional activities like community engagement, structured programming, public awareness, and/or other access enhancements. The additional activities are designed to increase use of these spaces for physical activity. The guide provides an overview of the recommendation and a step-by-step process for equitably implementing key activities to advance the recommendation. The recommendations prioritize authentic engagement with communities that have historically faced barriers to parks, trails, and greenways. Case studies from four projects provide examples of how this recommendation can positively impact the use of parks, trails, and greenways for physical activity and other health and social benefits.

Parks and recreation is vital to community health and well-being. Park and recreation agencies provide and manage infrastructure, programs, and services that eliminate barriers to health. Parks and recreation areas also create opportunities for people to engage in behaviors and activities that improve and maintain physical health, including helping people achieve the recommended amount of physical activity. The Active Parks! Implementation Guide encourages park and recreation and public health professionals to partner to create more community-driven, equitable, and inclusive spaces, programs, and services where all people can experience the benefits that parks, trails, and greenways uniquely provide.

To access a copy of this guide, please visit:

NRPA: Active Parks! Implementation Guide: Increasing Physical Activity Through Parks, Trails and Greenways

Background information:

NRPA: Active Parks! Implementation Guide Communications Toolkit

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Active People, Healthy Nation Initiative

Community Preventive Services Task Force