​A hike or trip to the park with family or friends is a great way to stay active and healthy. Arizona is known for its outdoor activities, but unfortunately not everyone has an equal opportunity to experience them. Some places in our state have a shortage of parks, trails, and public spaces. Investing in these types of areas can have major benefits.

​July is National Park and Recreation Month, and that means it’s time to get your play on! The National Recreation and Park Association is encouraging everyone to stay active all month long by visiting local parks and recreation centers. 

​The summer heat is here, and with it comes the challenge of staying active while keeping cool. If you live in the Valley, it can be especially difficult to squeeze in physical activity while avoiding extreme temperatures. Health still happens in the summer! Beat the heat and get moving all season long with these fun and affordable activities. 

​A big part of our work here at Pinnacle Prevention is ensuring that all Arizonans have access to safe places to stay active, connect with their communities and soak up the benefits of open and public areas. That’s why we’re taking a deeper look into the benefits of public spaces this month, and spending some time to share inspiring discussions, resources and projects across our state and country.
 
Increasingly, public spaces are being recognized as crucial ingredients for developing successful cities. They can generate economic and social development opportunities, and developing these places is a great way to cultivate a community’s identity through positive change. A city or town that provides its communities with public spaces is providing its residents with places to meet new people and see old friends, places to have events, places to encourage culture, and ultimately, places to stay active and enjoy themselves!