June 2022 - Parks & Recreation - 10

EDITOR' S LETTER
Commit to Self-Care This Summer
Our Health and Wellness issue is a testament to the great work that
our members commit to doing for their respective communities, such
as providing programming and services designed to help community
members achieve better health outcomes. And as the school year
draws to a close across the country, parks and recreation is preparing
for what's certain to be a very active - sometimes, demanding - three
months. June is the ideal time to shine a light on health equity. After all,
many working parents and caregivers rely on park and recreation professionals
beyond their summer camp offerings. Some living in underinvested
communities view these agencies as a lifeline to vital resources
that help their families supplement their nutritional needs until programs,
like the free school lunch program, resume in the fall.
In the cover story, " Community Wellness Hubs in Practice, " on page
32, NRPA's Allison Colman, Maureen Neumann and Liliana Ruiz
Fischer take a deep dive into why parks and recreation is central to establishing " a fully integrated
public health system. " For one thing, through Community Wellness Hubs, park and recreation
professionals offer " trusted gathering places that connect every member of the community to
essential programs, services and spaces that advance health equity, improve health outcomes and
enhance quality of life. " The contributors also offer real-life examples of Community Wellness
Hubs that provide essential services, such as " supporting food access, improving food security,
connecting people to social resources, and providing evidence-based nutrition education to improve
healthy eating behaviors. "
Next, Lindsay Hogeboom, associate editor and writer, shares how parks and recreation can
help communities reach specific health and wellness objectives that could potentially increase the
average life span of their residents in the feature article, " Getting Into the Blue Zone, " on page
38. Hogeboom writes that " blue zones " are defined as communities or areas that " have integrated
specific health and wellness practices into their daily lives. "
Lastly, contributors Brent Ross and Dylan Fischer discuss how equity played an important role
in the design process of Indiana's West Lafayette Wellness Center in the article, " Making Wellness
More Inclusive, " on page 44. Ross and Fischer write, " Special effort was made to obtain input
from groups that are typically underrepresented in community outreach efforts.... "
While I know you'll be working hard making sure that your community members are wellcared
for this summer, I urge you to commit to self-care to keep your stress levels down. Because
if you're not tending to your personal health, how do you expect others to follow your lead?
PRESIDENT AND CEO
Kristine Stratton
VICE PRESIDENT OF
COMMUNICATIONS AND CHIEF
MARKETING OFFICER
Gina Mullins-Cohen
gcohen@nrpa.org
EXECUTIVE EDITOR AND
DIRECTOR OF PRINT AND
ONLINE CONTENT
Vitisia Paynich
vpaynich@nrpa.org
ASSOCIATE EDITOR AND
WRITER
Lindsay Hogeboom
lhogeboom@nrpa.org
MANAGER OF ONLINE
CONTENT
Jennifer Fulcher-Nguyen
jnguyen@nrpa.org
PUBLICATION DESIGN
Kim Mabon/Creative By Design
CreativeByDesign.net
SENIOR CORPORATE
DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
WESTERN REGION AND ASIA
Michelle Dellner
703.858.4635
mdellner@nrpa.org
SENIOR CORPORATE
DEVELOPMENT OFFICER EASTERN
REGION AND EUROPE
Paul Semple
916.880.5225
psemple@nrpa.org
DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
Melissa Hunter
703.858.2199
mhunter@nrpa.org
PHOTOGRAPHY
Dreamstime.com or NRPA
(unless otherwise noted)
VITISIA " VI " PAYNICH
Executive Editor
Director, Print and Online Content
10 Parks & Recreation | JUNE 2 0 22 | PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G
MAGAZINE ADVISORY
BOARD MEMBERS
Anthony-Paul Diaz, Chair
Michael Abbaté, FASLA
Neelay Bhatt
Ryan Eaker
Beau Fieldsend
Kathleen Gibi
Paul Gilbert, CPRP
Tim Herd, CPRE
Brian Johnson, CPSI
Denise Johnson-Caldwell
Roslyn Johnson, CPRP
Michele Lemons
Sam Mendelsohn
Maria Nardi
Lisa Paradis, CPRP
Paula Sliefert
Shonnda Smith, CPRP, AFO
Ronnetta Spalding
Anne-Marie Spencer
Stephen Springs
http://www.CreativeByDesign.net http://www.Dreamstime.com
June 2022 - Parks & Recreation

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