Parks play a role in supporting public health, from mitigating the impacts of climate change to reducing depression and anxiety. A 2022 systematic review by the Community Preventative Services Task Force – part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and supported by the Centers for Disease Control – emphasized the importance of Safe Routes to Parks for maximizing the health benefits of parks, greenways, and trails. The findings, published in what is called the Community Guide, showed that rates of physical activity improved significantly only when parks were combined with at least one of four key strategies to facilitate their access and usage: community engagement, public awareness, structured programming, and access enhancements. So, why does this matter? It reinforces that Safe Routes to Parks is a research-backed strategy for improving health outcomes. For more information on this research and related strategies, check out: Actionable Public Health Strategies to Boost Community Well-Being with Safe Routes to Parks.