Communication Strategies to Increase Awareness of Low-Cost Recreational Opportunities

Communication is included as one of four overarching strategies in the Washington State Nutrition and Physical Activity Plan because it has been shown to contribute to the success of environmental and policy changes.[1] As an example, use of trails and paths increases when information is provided on signs or through media coverage. Many communities in Washington are working to increase awareness of recreational opportunities and have adopted varied communication strategies and tools. Some examples include:

Trails Signs
As part of the Moses Lake Healthy Communities Project, the Trail Planning Team (TPT) has worked to create an activity trails system for exercise, transportation, and tourism. The trails are marked with easily recognizable signs that were made and installed by the city's Streets Division. The sign pictured on the right marks a safe pedestrian crossing completed by the TPT in 2006. The TPT also partnered with the city's Park and Recreation Department to publish an Activity Trails & Paths Map that has been popular with both residents and visitors.

Custom Postage Stamps
King County Parks developed a series of customized postage stamps with "Support Parks!" messaging that are produced and marketed by Zazzle, an online marketplace for custom-printed items. The stamps feature 39 different images highlighting the range of recreational opportunities available throughout the parks system. While sales of the stamps have generated some funds, they primarily serve as an outreach tool.

Recreation & Leisure Guide Insert
The Mount Vernon Healthy Communities Project includes an insert highlighting its activities in the quarterly "Recreation and Leisure Guide" published in the Skagit Valley Herald. The guide includes information on recreational opportunities offered through the county's and cities' Parks and Recreation programs, the YMCA, and other community organizations.

Web Site
The "Cowlitz on the Move" Web site developed by Cowlitz County's Healthy Lifestyle Coalition includes an Active Resource guide. The guide is organized by activity and provides access to a variety or resources including related organizations, trails maps, and parks and recreation programs.

For More Information:

• Moses Lake Trails Signs and Maps, Sally Goodwin
• King County Parks "Support Parks" Stamps
• Mount Vernon Healthy Communities - Recreation and Leisure Guide (pdf, see pg. 20)
• Cowlitz On the Move Web Site
  

[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Community Guide to Preventive Services. Available: http://www.thecommunityguide.org/pa/pa-int-comm-campaigns.pdf

Parks and Recreation/School District Joint Use Agreements from Washington Communities

Developing model policies to increase access to public facilities (e.g., public school athletic facilities) for physical activity is one of the priority recommendations in the Washington State Nutrition and Physical Activity Plan.

Several communities in Washington have established formal agreements with school districts to address liability issues and other management issues associated with sharing recreational facilities. Examples of joint use agreements from communities across the state have been collected and made available in the Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington's Web-based document library.

For More Information:

• Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington Index
  • Parks and Recreation Agreements with School Districts
  • Intergovernmental Services: City-special & school district cooperation
  • Success Story: Jointly Funded Renovations of School Fields - Olympia

Funding Opportunity
Creating Environments and Advancing Policies that Support Healthy Behaviors [Open to Counties in Southwest Washington]

To be eligible for the following grant, organizations must operate within southwest Washington (Clark, Cowlitz, Pacific, Skamania, and Wahkiakum counties) or Oregon.

The Northwest Health Foundation invites proposals from non-profit organizations, local government agencies and tribal organizations engaged in creating community environments and policies that support healthy lifestyles, specifically with regards to healthy food choices and opportunities for regular physical activity. The Foundation is looking to fund projects that:

• Identify the social, policy or environmental factors to be addressed, and how they will support healthy physical activity and nutrition behaviors;
• Implement recommendations proposed in national and state reports on physical activity and nutrition;
• Engage community members in the development of priorities and strategies; and/or
• Involve collaboration among different organizations or agencies, especially across different sectors, to achieve common goals.

All interested parties are strongly encouraged to contact Chris Kabel before submitting a proposal to determine if your project is a good match for this grant program. Chris can be reached by e-mail or phone at (971) 230-1291.

The Foundation’s intent is to award a portfolio of four to eight grants of various sizes in the $25,000 to $150,000 range (total award amount – not per year). Projects will be funded for up to three years. Funding decisions will be announced in June 2008.

Proposal Deadline: March 10, 2008

For More Information:

• 2008 Request for Proposals: Creating Environments and Advancing Policies that Support Healthy Behaviors
• Chris Kabel, Northwest Health Foundation
  Phone: (971) 230-1291