#pbcParks Promotes Good Health and Wellness

Active lifestyles are key to a healthy mind and body, but many people don’t get out and moving as much as they should. The Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department is committed to offering a variety of opportunities to help you and your loved ones find balance and stay healthy.

The Office of Public Engagement created this Public Service Announcement to show the multitude of ways PBC Parks contributes to the physical wellbeing of Palm Beach County. The video includes original artwork and animation created by intern Carlos Duenas, Jr. with a voice over by Public Relations Specialist Bibi Baksh.

We make the quality of life for Palm Beach County residents and visitors better by providing diverse, safe and affordable recreation services, welcoming parks, and enriching social and cultural experiences. We achieve this by promoting wellness, fostering environmental stewardship, contributing economic value, and by improving our community every day for this and future generations.

For more opportunities for healthy, happy living, visit pbcParks.com.

Pickleball boom: bringing players of all ages together at Caloosa Park

“Pickleball has absolutely exploded in the last eight years!”

Avid Pickleball player Sue Thaler visits Caloosa Park often to play the sport of Pickleball with her husband and friends. As a 30-year racquetball player, Thaler discovered Pickleball when she and her husband, a 40-year tennis player, wanted a sport that would suit both of them. “We each tried playing each other’s sport, I wasn’t good enough at tennis, he wasn’t good enough at racquetball,” Thaler said. Enter – Pickleball.

Pickleball is a “derivation of tennis and badminton and ping pong,” according to Thaler. It involves hitting a whiffle ball with a paddle on a court that’s about half the size of a tennis court. The game can be played in singles or doubles. Thanks to the structure of the court and the ease of hitting the whiffle ball, Pickleball is easy on the joints, allowing people of all ages to get out on the court. Thaler says it’s an easy game to learn and regardless of whether a player is a novice or an expert, the game can be enjoyed by anyone. Now, there’s no reason not to stay active!

Best of all, Thaler says through Pickleball, she’s met a number of new friends and teammates, like teammates Leslee Roach and Bob Sumislawski, featured in the video. “We’ve met dozens and dozens of players that we’ve developed friendships with and it’s because of Pickleball – it’s a shared interest that we all have,” Thaler said. Thaler went on to say that during the fall and winter months, the courts are packed with Pickleball players at Caloosa Park who are looking to enjoy the breezier South Florida winter, meet new people, and stay active through a game that’s easy to play and enjoy!

Check out our eight Pickleball courts at Caloosa Park – visit pbcParks.com for more information.

We make the quality of life for Palm Beach County residents and visitors better by providing diverse, safe and affordable recreation services, welcoming parks, and enriching social and cultural experiences. We achieve this by promoting wellness, fostering environmental stewardship, contributing economic value, and by improving our community every day for this and future generations.

For more opportunities for healthy, happy living, visit pbcParks.com.

Best Parks for Families with Young Children

The Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department offers many environments for families with young children to spend time together while learning, growing and practicing healthy lifestyles. With more than 80 parks and recreation facilities from Tequesta to Boca Raton and west to Lake Okeechobee, there are a variety of activities parents and young kids can partake in – and all our parks and facilities are inspected to provide safe experiences. Here’s a list of our favorites!

John Prince Park

John Prince Park in Lake Worth will not disappoint the little ones. Kids can enjoy 5 playgrounds throughout the park, including a boundless playground that provides children with and without disabilities a colorful, sensory-rich, accessible experience. Located next to the boundless playground is a splash park where kids can run through a series of spray arches, stand under a giant splashing tail, and more, all under three shade sails that provide sun protection. The park also offers a Fitness Zone^® Exercise Area so parents can stay active while their kids play. Adults can work out using 17 pieces of outdoor, resistance exercise equipment that uses one’s own body weight for strength training purposes. The Fitness Zone^® is located near a large pavilion and playground.

Okeeheelee Park

A visit to Okeeheelee Park is a great opportunity for activity and education. The 1,700-acre park features three playgrounds for running, sliding and swinging. After spending some time on the playground, parents can take kids to Okeeheelee Nature Center, located inside the park. At OKNC, families can check out hands-on exhibits, animal encounters and a nature-related gift shop. Admission to OKNC and trails is free. Program participation and bicycle/kayak concession fees are nominal. Time your visit right and experience an equestrian event at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in Okeeheelee Park South, on the south side of Forest Hill Boulevard.

Westgate Park and Recreation Center

Located in West Palm Beach, Westgate Park and Recreation Center features a playground, splash park and fitness station, making it an ideal location for activity for both parents and kids. On a hot day, kids can cool off by splashing through the brightly-colored water playground. When the kids are enjoying the newly-remodeled playground, adults can take the opportunity to work out on a 10-piece exercise station with equipment while watching their kids.

Lake Worth West Neighborhood Park

Lake Worth West Neighborhood Park in Central Palm Beach County recently underwent a makeover, courtesy of the Office Depot Foundation and Palm Beach County. Now, Lake Worth West residents can enjoy a new playground with accessible equipment for all abilities, as well as a free library, green space, basketball court, and a butterfly garden. With an exercise station located next to the playground, adults can do an array of exercises while watching their kids.

Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park

Whether you’re spending the day at Coconut Cove Waterpark, playing on one of the two playgrounds, or heading to Daggerwing Nature Center to learn about reptiles and insects, there’s something for every member of the family at Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park. Coconut Cove Waterpark is a perfect activity for those hot summer days; kids and adults can run on a playground, slide down waterslides or float along a lazy river. At Daggerwing Nature Center, kids can play and learn through interactive exhibits, or venture outside to a boardwalk and tower where families can watch and learn about wildlife. While there is an admission fee for Coconut Cove Waterpark, a visit to Daggerwing Nature Center is free, with the exception of program fees.

Glades Pioneer Park

Located in western Palm Beach County, Glades Pioneer Park features a seasonally-operated swimming pool, a baseball field, basketball courts, tennis courts, a 1.25-mile paved multipurpose path, playgrounds for ages 2-5 and 5-12, a splashpark, and picnic areas.

For park locations, visit www.pbcparks.com.

 

 

 

 

Lake Woof Dog Park Now Open!

#pbcParks newest and largest dog park is now open in Lake Worth!

County officials joined with hundreds of residents and their four-legged companions to celebrate the grand opening of Lake Woof Dog Park and other park improvements in John Prince Park on Saturday, July 29. Overlooking Lake Osborne and spanning more than four acres, the new dog park features five enclosed landscaped dog areas with designated areas for large, medium and small dogs. Each enclosure includes a gazebo with benches, drinking fountains, dog wash area, and doggie bag station and trash receptacle.

Other park improvements include accessible six-foot wide asphalt and concrete circular paths in each area, park benches along the pathways, and asphalt bike/pedestrian trails that connect to the rest of the park. In addition, 42 regular parking spaces and four ADA accessible parking spaces were added. The adjacent cricket field was also renovated and includes a new grass playing surface, irrigation and dedicated parking. Memorial benches and brick pavers placed along the pathways to honor a loved one or family pet are available by contacting the department’s business development office at 561-966-6643.

“John Prince Park is one of our largest regional parks and has existed for 65 years,” said Parks and Recreation Director Eric Call. “Adding a state of the art dog park and other amenities is something residents and their four-legged friends have looked forward to for a long time.”

John Prince Park is located in Lake Worth along Lake Osborne. The park is accessible at the following entrances: 2700 6th Avenue South, 2520 Lake Worth Road and 4759 South Congress Avenue. Park hours are sunrise to sunset. Lighted court facilities are open until 9:00 p.m. Lighted, permitted athletic fields are open until 10:00 p.m.

We make the quality of life for Palm Beach County residents and visitors better by providing diverse, safe and affordable recreation services, welcoming parks, and enriching social and cultural experiences. We achieve this by promoting wellness, fostering environmental stewardship, contributing economic value, and by improving our community every day for this and future generations.

For more opportunities for healthy, happy living, visit pbcParks.com.

Destination Recreation 3: West Delray Regional Park

Welcome to the third episode of Destination Recreation! We take you through different Palm Beach County parks and facilities in each episode – giving you a unique peek at what you can experience at our more than 80 locations throughout the County.

On this episode, we take you on an adventure through West Delray Regional Park. There are so many things to do in this large passive park, it’s a hobby enthusiast’s paradise! Park visitors can ride through the mountain biking course, fly hobby aircraft, control RC cars and boats, or just enjoy the scenery.

Don’t miss an episode – follow pbcParks on WordPress or subscribe to our YouTube channel to see each episode of Destination Recreation, which is released monthly.

We make the quality of life for Palm Beach County residents and visitors better by providing diverse, safe and affordable recreation services, welcoming parks, and enriching social and cultural experiences. We achieve this by promoting wellness, fostering environmental stewardship, contributing economic value, and by improving our community every day for this and future generations.

For more opportunities for healthy, happy living, visit pbcParks.com.

#pbcParks Contributes to Economic Development

The economic power of Palm Beach County Parks extends far beyond creating jobs and increasing property values. PBC Parks generates millions of dollars in economic benefit for the county by welcoming crowds of sports fans to a number of ball fields, hosting top local and national performers at amphitheaters, and maintaining popular locations for eco-tourism activities, among other things.

The Office of Public Engagement created this Public Service Announcement to show the multitude of ways PBC Parks contributes to the economic benefit of Palm Beach County. The video includes original artwork and animation created by intern Carlos Duenas, Jr. with a voice over by Public Relations Specialist Bibi Baksh.

We make the quality of life for Palm Beach County residents and visitors better by providing diverse, safe and affordable recreation services, welcoming parks, and enriching social and cultural experiences. We achieve this by promoting wellness, fostering environmental stewardship, contributing economic value, and by improving our community every day for this and future generations.

For more opportunities for healthy, happy living, visit pbcParks.com.

NATIONAL PARK RX DAY IS SUNDAY, APRIL 23

Every year, the U.S. National Park Service encourages people and park agencies throughout the country to celebrate National Park Rx Day. The day serves as a means to promote and encourage the unique partnership between parks, communities and healthcare providers to get people to enjoy their community’s parks and nature as a way of preventing diseases, creating healthier lifestyles, and improving qualities of Life.

The initiative to get doctors to prescribe time in the park to their patients is a growing trend – and PBC Parks has initiated our own ‘Park Prescription Program’ – check it out!

Creating a healthier, happier society– one walk in the park at a time

The Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department is partnering with members of the healthcare community to promote physical activity and improve the health of patients and the public in Palm Beach County through a “park prescriptions” program that connects them to parks and other public lands to create a healthier, happier society.

Across the United States, parks, healthcare providers, public health agencies, and other entities have successfully facilitated physician-patient conversations about active living through “park prescriptions” programs, connecting individuals and families to free opportunities for physical activity close to their homes.

The goal is to have outdoor physical activity serve as “prescriptions” to prevent or treat health problems resulting from inactivity and poor diet. Park prescriptions increase the amount of time patients spend enjoying physical activity and provide physicians and other healthcare providers with a new set of tools to inspire them to improve their health.

Public parks and recreation agencies are an underutilized healthcare resource. They create healthy communities and play a fundamental role in enhancing the physical environments in which we live. Through facilities, outdoor settings, and services provided, they support good health for people of all abilities, ages, socio‐economic backgrounds, and ethnicities. Parks provide a connection to nature which studies demonstrate relieves stress levels, tightens interpersonal relationships, and improves mental health. They provide opportunities for patients to reduce obesity and incidence of chronic disease by providing opportunities to increase rigorous physical activity in a variety of forms. And, they foster overall wellness and healthful habits, such as becoming tobacco‐free and engaging in enrichment opportunities that add balance to life.

In Palm Beach County, there are nearly 120 county-operated parks and natural areas, hundreds of municipal parks, two state parks, a national wildlife refuge, and a number of public lands operated by various entities (South Florida Water Management District, Solid Waste Authority, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers). Facilitating health and wellness opportunities is a core service of the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department. Countless miles of paved multi-use pedestrian pathways and fitness trails, many with exercise stations, can be found throughout the park system. The department has recently brought the indoor gym outdoors with the new John Prince Park Fitness Zone, a completely outdoor facility containing 17 pieces of resistance exercise equipment located underneath a large shade sail, accessible by people of all abilities and fitness levels. The Fitness Zone is free to use and available daily from sunrise to sunset.

Creating healthier residents is a day-by-day, collective effort that involves our dedicated healthcare providers. The next time you reach for your prescription pad, consider adding one more item—an outdoor physical activity in a local park or public land.

Getting started

Please contact Christopher Korbelak at (561) 966-6649 or email pbcparks@pbcgov.org if you or someone you know may be interested in partnering with the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department to promote physical activity and improve the health of patients and the general public in Palm Beach County through a “park prescriptions” program that connects your patients with public lands to engage in outdoor physical activity to create a healthier, happier society.

Leisure Times also available for your office or facility.