A cross-sector collaboration aimed at increasing the amount of time kids and their families spend playing outdoors.

Philadelphia Nature Rx

Nature Rx: Models in Sister Cities

Boston: Outdoor Rx Mass General Hospital for Children and the

Appalachian Mountain Club

Washington DC: DC Park Rx National Park Service, NEEF and Unity Health

Systems

Portland: Rx play Portland P&R, Oregon P&R, 4 health partners

Philadelphia Nature Rx: Goals

Nature Rx will… increase public awareness

about the health benefits of nature

connect Philadelphia families with their local parks, trails and green spaces

provide meaningful opportunities for children and their families to engage in at parks, trails and green spaces

4 Year Pilot

• Database/map of green spaces across city• Database or some connection of city-wide

outdoor events and opportunities• Self-guided outdoor activities via mobile

device applications• Educational materials (posters, brochures,

videos) on health impacts of nature/outdoor play

• Nature Rx Webpage as public home for all resources

Resource Development

4 Year Pilot

Strategic Planning Task Forces Education &

Advocacy Access&

Opportunity Clinical Process &

Patient Activation Evaluation &

Outcomes

Steering Committee Action plan

implementation Technology

integration Media campaign

Planning Phase Implementation Phase

Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor St. Luke's University Health Network

A fun and effective family wellness initiative

Program Goals

• Provide fun & effective way for community to get healthy while enjoying environment• Expand awareness of regional trail

network• Encourage community connections

to nature• Education through trail

programming

Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor St. Luke's University Health Network

Participation to Date

• First Year Challenge – • 2,400 Participants logged ~ 250, 000 miles

• Winter Mini Challenge• ~ 50,000 miles logged

• Second Year Challenge – • 1,732 Participants logged 511,776 miles• 6 Schools took School Challenge

• 4,279 Participants since program inception• 810,827 Miles logged total

Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor St. Luke's University Health Network

Lessons Learned

• Participants like incentives and ability to post pictures/stories on social media

• Unconventional partnerships are effective• Program makes monetary sense to health networks• Health survey is important to start from beginning• Having a doctor involved in planning helps gain

support of all doctors for the long-term preventative effects

Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor St. Luke's University Health Network

Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor St. Luke's University Health Network

Thank you!

Visit: www.tailonthetrail.org

Contact: Elissa Garofalo elissa@delawareandlehigh.org