South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations encourages our members to learn more about our state’s Park Rx program. South Dakota’s medical professionals are invited to participate in the FREE Park Rx program and prescribe exercise for their patients. The Park Rx program can motivate and inspire your patients to be more physically active. Below are three questions that can help you start the conversation.
- How much physical activity do you get in an average week? Meet your patients where they are. Once you have an idea of their current activity level, you can suggest small changes to help them get more active.
- What are some things your family likes to do together? Does family time mean watching TV on the couch? Offer tips for getting the whole family more active, like turning commercials into family fitness breaks.
- Are there activities you’d like to be able to do? Do your patients want to run a 5K? Climb stairs more easily? Pick up grandkids without pain? Knowing their motivations can help you work together to set achievable goals.
How it Works:
Healthcare providers can prescribe a FREE 1-day Pass to any South Dakota State Park. This 1-day pass can also be turned in for a discounted annual pass.
Regular outdoor activity and exercise are proven to benefit both physical and mental health. We encourage all providers to sign up for the program and get all South Dakotans to take advantage of the many amazing state parks to work on wellness.
The program is being administered by the South Dakota Department of Health in partnership with South Dakota Game Fish and Parks and SDSU Extension.
Sign up for the Park Rx Program
It only takes a few minutes to get started, visit: Call to Action: Park Rx – HealthySD.gov
- If you’re a healthcare provider: You’ll receive an information packet with Park Rx pads in the mail.
For additional resources,
- visit parkrx.org
- To find a state park near you or your patients visit: gfp.sd.gov/parks
- To download Park Rx Display Poster: Activity Grid at Each State Park
- To download Park Rx Display Poster: Park Rx Postcard
