This spring, hundreds of local students will take charge of their health as part of the second annual Hit the Trails and Parks Program, a community initiative designed to reduce barriers to physical activity and support lifelong wellness.

Launched through a partnership between the Chautauqua County Health Department and the Chautauqua Health Network, the program empowers schools and families to explore nature, stay active, and be rewarded for it — no gym membership or equipment required.

“This program was designed to remove barriers so that students and families can access nature in the least restrictive way and also be rewarded for their efforts,” said Lisa Roberts (lisa.roberts@chq.health), Chautauqua Health Network’s Youth and School Health Program Coordinator.

Chautauqua County Public Health Director Lacey Wilson stated, “It is well known that one of the most effective ways to improve our health and wellbeing is to get regular physical activity, especially outdoors. We can do this by way of local zoning and community planning that promotes safe and accessible walking and biking routes, trails, parks, waterways and more. We are extremely fortunate that the landscape of Chautauqua County is abundant in outdoor resources, so now the focus needs to turn to how to promote these spaces to residents, encourage community leaders to curate these spaces, and make them safe for all residents to access and use. The gold standard is that every resident can safely access an outdoor active greenspace less than a mile from their home. There are creative and invested groups and leaders making wonderful strides in promoting great design and planning in these ways and are setting a wonderful example for other towns and communities to follow. One of the ways in which our department is working to support these efforts is partnering with Chautauqua Health Network to promote the spaces that are available – the Hit the Trails and Parks Program is one such endeavor.”

Thanks to support from generous sponsors including UPMC Chautauqua, Braendel Painting & Services, Inc., Wegmans, Pearl City Cycle, and other local businesses and organizations, the program brings free, fun, and flexible opportunities to move — right into the hands of Chautauqua County youth.

“Serving as a sponsor of this event is another way UPMC Chautauqua supports our local communities, and we are committed to working with Chautauqua Health Network to encourage activities and initiatives that lead to a healthy lifestyle,” said Brian Durniok, President, UPMC Chautauqua. “Last year, UPMC Chautauqua contributed $2.3 million in community benefits to the region; we’re pleased this unique event aligns with Chautauqua County Community Health Assessment goals of trying to reduce childhood obesity and focusing on the health benefits of getting outside walking, hiking, or biking.”

Schools across the county will launch the program with students in late April. Districts with at least one school beginning the program include Dunkirk City School District, Jamestown Public Schools, Frewsburg Central School District, Falconer Central School District, Pine Valley Central School District, Cassadaga Valley Central School District, Ripley Central School District, Sherman Central School District, Chautauqua Lake Central School District, and Bemus Point Central School District. Other schools are encouraged to join. Each participating school district is eligible for a $500 milestone through the Chautauqua Healthy Youth and Schools Program, which is supported by the New York State Department of Health Creating Healthy Schools and Communities grant and other partners.

Students who complete the challenge will receive a finisher’s medal, a certificate, and be entered to win prizes such as bicycles and helmets. Parents of students who complete the challenge are also eligible to win Wegmans gift cards, reinforcing the program’s whole-family approach to wellness.

Each school will wrap up the program with its own culminating celebration, where prizes will be awarded, and students are recognized for their achievements.