Innovation in Parks and Recreation
T
he NRPA Innovation Awards recognize and honor the latest advancements in the field of parks and recreation. The 2021 Innovation Award winners highlighted below exemplify the inspiring work park and recreation professionals are doing in their communities.
Innovation in Health — Port St. Lucie (Florida) Parks and Recreation Healthy U: A Series of Conversations Not only did the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic present
physical health concerns, but also it took a toll on many people’s mental health. Knowing this, staff at the Port St. Lucie Parks and Recreation Department (PSLPRD) worked diligently to create a program that addresses the mental health service needs in their community. The program — Healthy U: A Series of Conversations (Healthy U) — is comprised of a series of six sessions on a variety of mental health topics, such as anxiety and depression. Launched in November 2020 and held monthly at the Port St. Lucie Community Center, these sessions are offered free to the public and are available to attend both virtually and in person.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF PORT ST. LUCIE PARKS AND RECREATION
Innovation The mission of Healthy U is to create a dialogue and let participants know they are not alone in
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their journey toward improved mental health; that their experiences are real and validated; and that there are resources they can access to help them on their journey toward improved well-being. “Having conversations on sensitive mental health topics is the most innovative aspect of our Healthy U program,” says Port St. Lucie Parks and Recreation Director Sherman Conrad. “Healthy U’s impact is seen in data we’ve collected between 2020 and 2021, which shows an improvement in the overall mental health of our guests.” Community Engagement and Partnerships During August 2020, PSLPRD conducted a public engagement survey, the results of which helped to identify what community needs should be met
Part of the mission of Healthy U is to create a dialogue and let participants know they are not alone in their journey toward improved mental health. Parks & Recreation
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