​For immediate release: April 20, 2016
Contact: Chris Korbelak, 561-966-6649/ckorbelak@pbcgov.org

The Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department was honored as a Health Care Prevention/Wellness Hero during the Palm Beach County Medical Society's 13th Annual Heroes in Medicine Awards Ceremony on Friday, April 15th at the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach.

Department Director Eric Call received the award for the outstanding role his department plays in promoting wellness. The award is presented to an individual, organization, or company who has created and or implemented prevention/wellness services and or programs which improve the quality of life of people in the community or in the workplace. The department, which serves over 3 million individuals each year, has had a strong commitment to wellness since its inception in 1951, offering free and affordable environments which encourage physical activity and interaction with nature to prevent chronic disease, helping those living with chronic disease, and improving mental wellbeing.

In recent years, the department has expanded its prevention and wellness services and has partnered with organizations to maximize resources for the community and its workforce. Examples include programs such as the free accessible fitness zone in John Prince Park, reaching out to physicians and healthcare providers to encourage their patients to improve their health through park prescriptions so that outdoor physical activity is increased, public service announcements that promote park use as a way to stay healthier, summer camp and afterschool programs that promote healthier lifestyles, and employee wellness initiatives.

The Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department operates more than 80 regional, district, community, beach, and neighborhood parks, spanning several thousand acres. Visit www.pbcparks.com to learn about opportunities for healthy, happy living.