Massachusetts Town Serves as National Model to Fight Childhood Obesity
from USA Today
 Kelle Shugrue's 7-year-old son eats fresh fruit and vegetables at his public school, rides his bike along neighborhood paths and walked to school last week as part of a community effort to get kids moving. The Shugrue family lives in Somerville, Mass., a Boston suburb hailed by health advocates for its seven-year investment in programs fighting childhood obesity and encouraging healthful living. More 
NRPA and the American Camp Association Address "Nature-Deficit Disorder" in New Online Course
from NRPA
Earn continuing education credits while helping children go outside to play. “Connecting Children with Nature,” the latest offering in NRPA's Pyxis Learning Center, was developed by NRPA in partnership with the American Camp Association for professionals working with youth in educational or recreation setting. This three-hour course addresses the root causes of “nature-deficit disorder,” identifies the potential health and social risks to children who do not experience nature, and covers best practices in the field for helping children enjoy unstructured outdoor play. Price: $45 | CEUs: 0.3
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Fit for Kids Program Launches Attack on Childhood Obesity in Illinois County
from the Daily Herald
Both children and adults are getting heavier and unhealthier in Kane County, Ill., but health department officials are now pumping some money in the community in hopes of creating a lifestyle sentiment similar to the move away from smoking.
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Missouri City Celebrates Earth Day with Educational Trail Walk
from KOMU-TV
Earth Day celebrations encouraged Mexico Middle School children to get out of the classroom and into the environment. Science teacher Rhonda Blaue walked her class from the school to Lakeview Park. Mexico, Mo., Parks and Recreation employees hosted an educational trail tour. Students learned ways to help the environment, like planting trees and caring for soil. More
Manhattan City Council Passes Bill Requiring Playground Safety Mat Warnings Following Reports of Burns
from the New York Daily News
Following reports that children have been burned by safety mats used in city playgrounds, the Manhattan, N.Y., City Council recently voted to require warning signs be posted in time for this summer. But some parents and parks advocates said the warning language in the bill has been toned down to satisfy city lawyers who are worried about negligence lawsuits. More
State Parks Promote Value, Serenity of Camping during Tough Economic Times
from the Bay City News
For those who think camping means sleeping like the critters - in the elements, with the bugs, on the ground - state resource managers ask you to reconsider. Michigan's 200-plus state park and state forest campgrounds have come of age. Rustic, even rugged wilderness camping still draws outdoors lovers in droves, but this year, add yurts, tee-pees, mini-cabins, even furnished, heated lodges among the choices the state's campgrounds offer the vacation-hungry, recession-weary. More
Florida Playground Designed with Disabled Kids in Mind
from the Miami Herald
Caitlyn Munson was 9 months old when she died in 2002 of spinal muscular atrophy, a genetic disorder that causes muscle weakness. After Caitlyn's death, her mother, Stephanie Munson, became acutely aware of the struggles of those with limited abilities: the man in the wheelchair at the skeet-shooting range, the kids in wheelchairs who couldn't cross the sand in a playground. So she decided to do something to help. More
Kids Learn Lessons in Economics at Sale
from the Longview News-Journal
Longview, Texas-area youth went through a crash course in capitalism Saturday morning during the Longview Parks and Recreation's Kid's Park and Shop event. Shawn Hara, Longview community relations manager, said children ages 7 to 12 could earn extra money by reserving a table and selling their outgrown toys, books, games, clothes and shoes."It's a big garage sale for kids by kids," Hara said. More
Video: Seniors Go for the Gold in Long Jump, Pole Vault, Discus Toss
from WLOX-TVe
Their bodies aren't as strong and limber as they used to be and they are known as senior citizens. But don't let the title fool you. Seniors are proving they still have the strength, agility, and competitive spirit to take on some tough activities. This week, more than 300 seniors from ten states are competing for medals in the 2009 Mississippi Gulf Coast Senior Games.
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Volunteers Keep Mesa, Ariz., Out of Bigger Budget Hole
from The Arizona Republic
In a city beset by perpetual budget crises, a $5 million check is nothing to sneeze at.
That's the amount - $5,154,932, to be precise - that was written on the front of a giant check that Mayor Scott Smith accepted earlier this week from a group of volunteers who help keep the city running.
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Splashing Around
from Recreation Management Magazine
The popularity of spray parks—also called spraygrounds or splash pads—has exploded in the past decade, and not just because they're proven kid-pleasers. Cheaper to install, operate and maintain, spraygrounds cost less than pools initially, as well as in the long run. The spray park concept is evolving. Take a look at some of the newer facilities across the country, and you'll see that spray-park design has reached new highs—and new lows. More
New City Park Will Befriend Environment
from The Lynchburg News & Advance
When the city of Lynchburg, Va., acquired the former Allen-Morrison Corp. plant site in 2003, it took on an environmental disaster. The nearly 17-acre site had been cleaned up to an extent by the federal Environmental Protection Agency, but it remained an industrial wasteland. That is about to change as the city Parks and Recreation Department embarks on an ambitious project to transform the site from its former environmental nightmare into a cutting edge "eco-park." More
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