Everyone knows that being outside and breathing fresh air feels good. Whether it’s the smell of fresh rain, the chirp of birds in the front yard or the touch of cool ocean water, feeling nature flood one’s senses can bring a sense of peace and belonging in a world filled with motion.
Organizations around Washington are making an effort to bring people back into nature. Here in Whatcom County, Recreation Northwest is launching its new Parkscriptions public health campaign. The campaign begins April 28, the first annual Whatcom Parkscriptions Day. Participants can attend any of 15-plus free, all-ages educational events in various Whatcom County and state parks.
The campaign is in partnership with community doctors and health care providers, who are encouraged to prescribe time outdoors to patients. The act of writing out a prescription is meant to help patients foster a healthier lifestyle in tune with nature and gain improved mental and physical health.
It can also be more encouraging to get a parkscription in a written format, according to Dr. Richard Smith, regional medical director at Humana.
“We all receive advice from physicians, and it seems to have more traction when it’s written down,” said Dr. Smith.
Dr. Smith added that along with exercise, parkscriptions get people of all ages acclimated to parks in their communities. It’s not just valuable for seniors, Dr. Smith said, though that age demographic is often less active outdoors due to physical barriers.
Though most events are in and around Bellingham, there is an event in Blaine at Peace Arch State Park on April 27 at 10 a.m. At the “Walk with a Ranger” event, participants will learn about the history of the park and how park operations function in two countries. The walk is about 600 yards and open to all ages. The walk will occur again on April 28 at 1 p.m.
There will also be a disc golf demonstration at Lincoln Park on April 28 at 10 a.m. Whatcom Disc Golf Club will lead the free demonstration. Disc golf is played much like traditional golf, but instead of a ball and clubs, players use a flying disc or Frisbee.
As well, there will be a guided walk in Birch Bay State Park on April 28 at 9 a.m. Starting at the BP Heron Center, the walk will be a chance for participants to learn more about native plants and birds in the area.
For more information and a detailed schedule of events, visit recreationnorthwest.org/parkscriptions.
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