A Pilot Intervention to Increase Healthful Recreation/Physical Activity in Zion National Park

Behrens, Timothy; Chong, David; Whitworth, Jock; Terry, Ron; Haraden, Tom

Final evaluation of "Take a Walk in Zion". Numerous studies have demonstrated that physical activity (PA) is a critical component of health1. Although the health benefits of regular PA have been well documented, the proportion of Americans meeting physical activity standards remains low2. In fact, 55% of Americans do not meet the minimum physical activity recommendations for health, and almost 25% are sedentary3. As part of the increasing focus on improving individual health, the Healthier U.S. Initiative (Executive Order 13266) proposed in 2002 by President Bush was meant to promote the use of public lands to improve individual’s personal health, by encouraging the use of these lands for PA. Public lands, such as National Park Service sites, provide a number of important benefits to individuals—but many Americans may not realize the role National Parks can play in their physical health. In order to address this issue, the National Park System Advisory Board Subcommittee on Health & Recreation (2006) noted that, "National Parks are public health assets that are uniquely situated to provide opportunities for outdoor, physically active recreation activities and should be pro-actively communicating the health benefits of such participation." (p. 6). Based upon the recommendations of this Subcommittee, Zion National Park has been chosen to participate in a pilot study (as one of seven NPS sites) to study this link between health benefits and National Parks. Zion National Park has a storied history and represents one of the great gems of the American West. Originally established as Mukuntuweap National Monument in 1909, the designation was changed to Zion National Park in 1919. The park encompasses some of the most spectacular canyon country in the United States. High plateaus; a maze of narrow, deep, sandstone canyons; and striking rock towers and mesas characterize the park. Known as a hiker’s Mecca, the park offers numerous and varied hiking opportunities for all levels of ability. Zion is the most visited national park in Utah and the seventh most visited in the United States. The most widespread outdoor physical activity is walking, due to its ease, accessibility and acceptability4, 5. This component fits well with Zion NP, due to the numerous scenic hiking opportunities. Thus, this pilot project at Zion NP sought to increase visitors’ use of the park for healthful recreation/physical activity (e.g., walking). This intervention activity addresses Outcome 2 of the National Park Advisory Board’s recommendations to "Increase healthful recreation/physical activity behavior in national parks"6. To implement this strategy program planners from Zion NP targeted park visitors to increase their physical activity while on the Pa’rus Trail by utilizing a multi-component informational program using constructs from the Theory of Reasoned Action/Planned Behavior and Social Cognitive Theory.

A Pilot Intervention to Increase Healthful Recreation/Physical Activity in Zion National Park

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