State Partnership Aims to Increase Physical Activity in Chester County

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 8, 2024

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) has joined a number of community partners in an effort to increase physical activity for Chester County residents through an app-based scavenger hunt and a series of events in local parks this summer. 

The IN the Parks App features a free, summer scavenger hunt that encourages children and families to discover featured parks while searching for answers to clues within each park. Two themed IN the Parks playdates are scheduled in Chester County parks during the month of July:

• Farm Fun: 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Friday, July 12 at the City of Chester Aquatic and Fitness Center, 157 Columbia Street, Chester. Participants are encouraged to dress up as a farmer or their favorite farm animal while enjoying activities, games and more.
• Pirates & Mermaids: 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Friday, July 26 at Chester State Park, 788 Park Drive, Chester. Attendees can enjoy swashbuckling fun with activities, games and more.  

IN the Parks was developed through a partnership between Wholespire Chester County, Chester County Parks Recreation and Tourism, City of Chester Parks and Recreation, Landsford Canal State Park and Chester State Park. Wholespire Chester County is chaired by Candra Riley, DPH Community Engagement Manager for the Midlands Region.

“Our staff and our local and statewide partners have worked diligently on this initiative, and we are excited to give families a fun activity to do together this summer,” Riley said. “We encourage families in Chester County and visitors from around the state to join in on the fun by participating in the scavenger hunt and coming to our upcoming events.”

The effort was funded through a Coalition Development Grant from the South Carolina Office of Rural Health. To learn more about IN the Parks and the upcoming playdates, visit intheparkssc.org.  

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