Day of play — 06/25/09

June 25, 2009 08:04 am

— The Longest Day of Play is one of the good things to come out of a grant proposal that was not funded. That’s because those responsible for it recognized a good idea that was possible to do even without funds from the grant.
Six years ago the Boyd County Health Department joined with health care providers and nonprofit agencies to write a massive grant designed to combat obesity and encourage more exercise. Although the grant application was not approved for funding, the Longest Day of Play is one of the ideas the survived the rejection of funding for it. The fifth annual Longest Day of Play will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. today in Central Park.
The format of the event has changed little over the years. Booths will be set up around the perimeter of the park with each one demonstrating a fun way to improve one’s health. The idea is that getting in shape need not require many hours of unpleasant exercise. In fact, it can even be enjoyable.
More than 40 vendors have committed to participating in this year’s event, and they will be demonstrating such healthy activities as clogging, zumba, chair volleyball and the martial arts. The event is not just for kids. In fact, many of the activities are designed specifically for adults, including senior citizens.
With five years of experience under its belt, the health department has ample evidence that the Longest Day of Play is effective in getting people to launch an exercise routine. “We have data to support that people who come tend to try new activities for at least six months,” said Holly West, program coordinator for the health department. “Most do choose an activity and get involved.”
If they stay involved, they will see an improvement in their health simply because they are in better shape. And they may even find a new way to have fun while exercising.
The Longest Day of Play originally was designed to coincide with the longest day of daylight in the year — the first day of summer on June 21. That was Sunday, and while the amount of daylight today is not quite as long as it was Sunday, there still is ample time to get off your duff and start exercising.