Safe Routes to Parks is an initiative of the National Recreation and Park Association to increase access to local parks. Developed in collaboration with the Safe Routes Partnership, the Safe Routes to Parks Action Framework provides local governments with evidence- and practice-based guidance on creating safe and equitable access to parks for all people.

Adults living within a half-mile of a park visit parks and exercise more often. Proximity to parks is consistently related to better physical and mental health. Yet communities with the highest levels of obesity and lowest levels of physical activity have the least safe access to parks.  According to the At the Intersection report by the Safe Routes Partnership, only 49 percent of low-income communities have sidewalks and low-income blacks and Latinos were twice as likely to be killed while walking. Safe access to parks is a right and a necessity for healthy communities.

Start engaging leaders and community members now in creating safe routes to parks by downloading the Safe Routes to Parks Action Framework.