Since 2013, NRPA, with the support of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has been providing funding to local park and recreation (P&R) agencies to deliver the Walk With Ease (WWE), Active Living Every Day (ALED), and Fit & Strong! (F&S!) evidence-based physical activity programs.

By offering these programs, your agency will:

  • Attract new audiences to your agency and increase the probability of reaching adults struggling to become physically active
  • Help older adults in your community become and maintain physically active lifestyles
  • Provide a safe location for physical activity in your service area
  • Increase your opportunities for funding and community partnerships

Healthy Aging in Parks Video

Healthy Aging in Parks is NRPA’s campaign to improve and maintain the health and wellbeing of older adults. This video highlights our three main strategies to achieve these goals.

Walk With Ease (WWE)

  • Low impact structured walking program
  • 6-week program (three 1-hr classes per week, includes participant booklets)
  • Walk With Ease Leader Training (online)
  • Walk With Ease "Class Zero" (video)
  • Arthritis Interventions in Parks and Recreation: Ingredients for Success Best Practices Guide
  • Target Audience - those with chronic diseases interested in a walking program and are able to stand for at least 10 minutes

Active Living Every Day (ALED)

  • Behavior-change program for sedentary adults who are wanting to become physically active
  • 12-week program (one 1-hr class per week, includes participant booklets)
  • Active Living Every Day Facilitator Training (self-study format with online exam)
  • Active Living Every Day: Best Practices Guide
  • Target Audience - sedentary adults with or without chronic disease and in need of motivation and skills to become physically active

Fit & Strong! (F&S!)

  • Multi-component physical activity and health education program for adults with lower extremity pain and mobility challenges 
  • 8 or 12-week  program (three 90-min classes for 8 weeks, or 2 90-min classes for 12 weeks, includes participant booklets and equipment)
  • Fit & Strong! Leader Training (online)
  • Empowering Older Adults to Stay Fit & Strong! A Guide to Implementation
  • Target Audience - adults who want to be physically active but may have lower-extremity pain and/or mobility challenges

Dissemination and Reach of Arthritis Interventions

Park and recreation agencies are seen as assets and important health and wellness change agents in their communities. They provide optimal settings for individuals to engage in a wide range of physical activity programs. To date, 285 agencies across 48 states and American Samoa have offered evidence-based physical activity programs, reaching more than 20,000 participants.

Impact Infographic: Evidence-Based Physical Activity Programs

Impact Map: Evidence-Based Physical Activity Programs

Access the interactive PLACES: NRPA Healthy Aging Grantees map.

Contact Us

Please visit our Resources Page for more evidence-based intervention resources. For more information and questions please contact Colleen Pittard at cpittard@nrpa.org.

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