Glacier to host Park 'Rx' Day

Glacier National Park will join 50 parks across the country to celebrate the healing power of being outdoors for people’s minds and bodies.

The park will host Park Prescription (Rx) Day, April 23 in collaboration with the Summit Medical Fitness Center. The public event will be at the Lake McDonald Lodge parking area from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

Park Superintendent Jeff Mow said it will be a day for people to take a walk in a park and “give themselves the gift of good health.”

“We are excited to host Park Rx Day here at the park to encourage everyone to get outdoors and enjoy the health benefits our public lands have to offer,” Mow said.

Park Rx Day is part of National Park Week taking place from April 15 through April 23.

Rangers will offer free blood pressure screenings and answer questions about the park. Fitness experts from the Summit will provide trekking poles to demo, an outdoor scavenger hunt activity with prizes, and free all natural, organic energy bars made locally at Kalispell Regional Healthcare.

The National Park Service began the Healthy Parks Healthy People program in 2011. The idea was to reframe the role of parks and public lands as an emerging, powerful health prevention strategy.

On April 23, there are more than 50 Park Rx Day events taking place across the country. Partners, including the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, local health clinics, the Institute at the Golden Gate, and National Recreation and Parks Association are supporting Park Rx Day events.