This national, community-based program encouraged people to take advantage of their local parks and recreation department programs in order to develop healthy eating and exercise habits with the end goal of decreasing obesity and cardiovascular disease risk.

Through Hearts N’ Parks, information about making healthier choices was taught as part of the regular activities offered by park and recreation departments and other community-based agencies. The park and recreation departments and community-based organizations received staff training that would help them integrate heart-healthy activities into existing activities and/or develop new activities. Programs were available for children, teens and adults.

Funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), the Hearts N’ Parks program eventually evolved into the Step Up to Health program.

The goal of Hearts N’ Parks was to reduce obesity and the risk of heart disease among Americans by encouraging them to aim for a healthy weight, follow a healthy eating plan, and engage in regular physical activity.

Starting in 2002, 56 sites implemented the program in 11 different states for a period of three years. Sites were selected based on level of cardiovascular disease in the area, whether special populations were served (such as the elderly or minorities), level of park and recreation agency interest and program capability.

In 2004, pre- and post- implementation data was reported from 3,573 child, teen and adult participants. Among children in 86 programs, significant improvements were demonstrated in heart healthy eating knowledge, behavior, and intention, as well as in physical activity attitude. Adolescents from 33 programs reported significant improvements in heart healthy eating knowledge, attitude, behavior, and intention, as well as knowledge and attitude about overweight/obesity, and physical activity level. And among adults in 48 programs, significant improvements were seen in heart healthy eating knowledge, attitude, and behavior, knowledge and attitude about overweight/obesity, physical activity level, attitude, and knowledge, and knowledge about high blood pressure and cholesterol.