16 November 2014: Encouraging all people to access and enjoy national parks is one of many themes under discussion at the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) World Parks Congress. Several organizations have showcased initiatives at the Congress, such as the Active in Parks program and the Trailrider, an innovative all-terrain wheelchair, which are encouraging and facilitating citizens to connect with and conserve parks and nature.

The World Parks Congress’ stream on ‘Improving Health and Well-Being: Healthy Parks, Healthy People’ is exploring the health benefits of protected areas (PAs), including livelihood support, disease regulation, mental and spiritual well-being and settings for physical activity.

In this context, Parks Victoria in Australia launched its Active in Parks online resource, which provides guidance and resources on how to implement the Active in Parks program. The program targets health and community agencies, to help them connect people to parks and other open spaces to improve their physical and mental well-being through increased access to outdoor spaces and physical activity. Parks Victoria piloted the program in Geelong, an area that is surrounded by open spaces, but has a population with a prevalence of preventable diseases as well as other challenges such as youth disengagement from education and social isolation. The program includes: a green referrals program where health professionals refer people at risk of suffering chronic illness to physical activity programs in local parks; a new migrants program that engages refugees and others in surfing and other physical activities to prevent social isolation; and a heart foundation walk that encourages community members to participate in regular park outings.

To facilitate park accessibility, Parks Victoria is showcasing the Trailrider wheelchair, which helps people of limited mobility access Australia’s national parks. The Trailrider features one wheel and handles at the front and back, and allows disabled individuals to be pushed through rough and remote terrain.

Parks Victoria is also conducting experiments to examine the impact of park renewal on park-based physical activity and park usage. This research aims to understand how to attract people to parks and improve their physical activity levels.

The Improving Health and Well-Being stream has hosted additional sessions on, inter alia: the role of urban parks in healthy, sustainable urbanization; behavior change, conservation and technology; and contributions of PAs to the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). [Improving Health and Well-being Stream] [IISD RS coverage of World Parks Congress] [Parks Victoria Website] [Active in Parks Program] [ IUCN Press Release on Active Parks] [IUCN Press Release on Parks Victoria Study] [All Terrain Wheelchairs] [IUCN Press Release on Trailrider] [IISD RS Sources]