Create a new role with the US government responsible for outdoor activities, parks, and recreation services across the county.
- Pickleball Courts
- More and Better Bike Lanes
- Outdoor Swimming Pools
- A National Running Event
The National Recreation Plan for Promoting Outdoor Fitness and Well-Being
The National Recreation Plan (NRP) aims to combat rising health concerns in the United States by fostering a nationwide culture of outdoor fitness. This plan is designed to make physical activity accessible, enjoyable, and safe for Americans of all ages and abilities. Central to this plan are initiatives focusing on pickleball, biking, bike lanes, and outdoor swimming pools, which will be integrated into communities across the country.
The key goals of the National Recreation Plan are to:
– Increase physical activity in outdoor settings
– Promote social engagement through recreational activities
– Ensure equitable access to fitness infrastructure, especially for underserved communities
– Enhance mental health and well-being by encouraging time outdoors in nature
—
1. Pickleball: Building a Nationwide Movement
Objective: Make pickleball the go-to sport for all ages and skill levels by increasing access to courts, providing affordable equipment, and fostering community engagement.
Plan Components:
– Community Pickleball Courts: Collaborate with local governments, schools, and community centers to repurpose existing tennis courts into multi-use courts suitable for pickleball. Allocate federal and state grants for the construction of new courts in parks and underserved areas.
1,000 New Pickleball Courts
– Pickleball Clinics & Programs: Partner with local fitness centers and recreational organizations to offer low-cost or free pickleball lessons for beginners, seniors, and youth, ensuring a steady pipeline of new players.
– Inclusive Events: Organize regional and national pickleball tournaments, as well as recreational leagues that cater to a wide range of participants—from recreational players to competitive athletes. Offer adaptive pickleball for individuals with disabilities.
– Pickleball Equipment Grants: Establish a subsidy program for low-income communities to provide equipment like paddles and balls, lowering barriers to entry for those who cannot afford the sport. See My Proposed Presidential Pickleball Program
Expected Outcomes:
– Increased participation in a low-impact, social, and fun sport that promotes cardiovascular health and coordination.
– Fostering multigenerational play, as pickleball is easy to learn and can be enjoyed by all ages, making it ideal for families and senior citizens.
– Local community building and improved mental health through recreational play and friendly competition.
—
2. Biking: Building a Nation of Cyclists
Objective: Promote cycling as a primary mode of transportation and recreation by enhancing biking infrastructure, reducing barriers to access, and encouraging eco-friendly transportation.
– Federal and State Funding for Bike Lane Projects: Secure funding for the construction of dedicated bike lanes along major roads, highways, and in urban centers. Focus on creating safe, continuous corridors for cyclists.
– Integration with Public Transit: Ensure that bike lanes are integrated with public transit routes, making it easy for cyclists to connect with buses and trains, especially in urban areas. Promote bike racks on public transportation.
– Protective Infrastructure: Design bike lanes to be separated from vehicle traffic where possible using physical barriers, green strips, or other protective measures to ensure safety.
– Maintenance and Upkeep: Establish a regular maintenance schedule for bike lanes, ensuring that they remain safe and usable year-round. This includes snow removal in the winter, resurfacing, and repairing potholes.
– Community Engagement: Work with local communities to ensure that bike lane expansions are reflective of neighborhood needs and to encourage local input and participation in planning.
Plan Components:
– Expand Bike Lane Networks: Create safe, dedicated bike lanes in urban and suburban areas. Prioritize connectivity between neighborhoods, parks, schools, and commercial centers. Use federal funding to encourage cities to develop or expand bike lane systems.
1,000 Miles of New Bike Lanes
(The equivalent roughly of New York City to Miami)
– Community Bike Programs: Partner with local governments to create bike share programs that allow individuals to rent bicycles for short trips at low costs. Focus on providing bicycles in areas with limited access to personal vehicles.
– Cycling Safety Education: Roll out national safety courses and campaigns promoting helmet use, safe riding practices, and traffic laws for cyclists. Include school programs to teach children how to bike safely.
– Bike-Friendly Infrastructure: Advocate for bike racks in public spaces, including parks, shopping centers, and transport hubs. Push for improvements to existing infrastructure that ensures cyclists can safely navigate public spaces.
Expected Outcomes:
– Increased cycling rates, both for recreation and commuting, leading to healthier and more active communities.
– Reduced traffic congestion and pollution, while promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly modes of transportation.
– Improved public health, with cycling serving as a cardiovascular workout that reduces the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.
—
3. Outdoor Swimming Pools: Increasing Access to Water Fitness
Objective: Provide accessible, safe, and well-maintained outdoor swimming pools to promote fitness, aquatic recreation, and safety, especially in underserved communities.
Plan Components:
– Public Pool Development: Work with local municipalities to build or refurbish public outdoor swimming pools in parks, neighborhoods, and recreational centers. Focus on areas with limited access to private gyms or community pools.
– Swim and Fitness Programs: Launch swim fitness programs (e.g., aqua aerobics, water walking) for all age groups, especially seniors, pregnant women, and people with joint problems. Offer affordable swimming lessons for children and adults to promote water safety and swimming proficiency.
– Aquatic Therapy & Rehabilitation: Partner with healthcare providers to offer low-cost or subsidized aquatic therapy programs, which are beneficial for individuals with physical disabilities, arthritis, and other chronic conditions.
-Extended Pool Hours & Accessibility: Offer extended hours for outdoor pools during peak seasons (e.g., summer) and ensure pools are accessible to people with disabilities. Consider seasonal pools in colder regions.
– Community Water Festivals and Events: Organize seasonal events such as “open swim days,” family water fitness challenges, and community swim meets to raise awareness and encourage engagement in aquatic fitness.
Expected Outcomes:
– Improved cardiovascular health through water-based fitness activities that are low-impact but highly effective.
– Promotion of water safety by increasing the number of people who are trained swimmers and familiar with aquatic environments.
– Community engagement as outdoor pools become social hubs for families and individuals, fostering inclusivity and a sense of community.
—
Subscribed
4. Implementation Strategy
Partnerships and Collaboration:
– Partner with local governments, community organizations, schools, and private companies to develop and maintain recreational infrastructure.
– Work with healthcare providers, fitness organizations, and national sports associations to offer programs and educational materials.
– Create a National Outdoor Fitness Fund, supported by both public and private sectors, to help finance the development of recreation infrastructure in underserved areas.
Public Awareness Campaign:
– Launch a nationwide “Get Outside” campaign focused on encouraging people to use local parks, bike lanes, pickleball courts, and swimming pools. Highlight the physical and mental health benefits of outdoor recreation.
– Use social media, community events, and educational workshops to raise awareness of the new resources available to the public.
The National Recreation Plan offers a clear path forward to fostering healthier, more active communities through outdoor fitness activities. By focusing on pickleball, biking infrastructure and outdoor swimming pools, we can create an environment that encourages physical activity, promotes social well-being, and ultimately leads to a healthier America.