Take a “Walk in the Park”
Get
active while enjoying the beauty
of Utah’s state parks
May 29, 2008
Why
exercise indoors when you could
be getting “green exercise”
in the beautiful surroundings of
one of Utah’s state parks?
Research shows that exercising in
nature has positive health effects,
including lowering blood pressure
and improving mood. The Utah Department
of Health (UDOH), Utah State Parks,
and the Utah State Office of Tourism
are sponsoring a “Walk in
the Park” competition to encourage
Utahns to get outside.
Beginning June 7, participants can
register for the “Walk in
the Park” contest at www.utahwalks.org.
It’s simple: just log all
the miles you walk in any Utah State
Park from June 7, 2008 through September
30, 2008. Credit will also be given
for other physical activities like
hiking and biking, as long as they
are done in a state park.
“The goal of this program
is to encourage Utahns to get active
and at the same time enjoy the scenery
of Utah’s 43 state parks,”
said Lynda Blades, Physical Activity
Coordinator, UDOH.
A new “Gold Medal Mile”
walking path was recently created
at Wasatch Mountain State Park.
The mile begins at the visitor’s
center and ends at Huber Grove,
where visitors can learn more about
the Huber family’s historic
farmhouse and creamery, which were
established in the late 1800s.
Inauguration events for the path,
along with the kick-off for the
competition, will be held on National
Trails Day, Saturday, June 7, 2008
from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at
Wasatch Mountain State Park in Midway.
UDOH Executive Director Dr. David
Sundwall, an avid walker himself,
will inaugurate the trail. Special
guest Miss Wasatch Christina Lowe
will also be there to help kickoff
this new fitness effort. Walkers
are allowed to bring dogs on the
trail, provided the animals are
on a leash. Healthy snacks, t-shirts
and other giveaways will be provided.
More information on activities that
count toward the competition can
be found on www.utahwalks.org
or at the Utah State Parks Website
at www.stateparks.utah.gov
Prizes will be awarded to the top
three competitors logging the most
miles at the end of each month.
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