Background
Park Rx was created in part in our own backyard, at the Institute at the Golden Gate in 2013 to encourage practitioners to prescribe nature in order to improve mental and physical health.
Campus Nature Rx exists to promote nature prescriptions on college campuses across the nation to improve the health and well-being of college students.
The number of college students seeking mental health care has more than doubled within the past 10-12 years. (Center for Collegiate Mental Health, 2022)
parks and trails near usf
golden gate park
Directions
Starting at the Hilltop campus on Parker & Fulton, head towards Fulton & Stanyan (1 block away; about 3 minutes!)
Nature Activities & Attractions
alamo square park
Directions:
Muni: Take the 5 from campus and get off on McAllister and Pierce. Walk 3 minutes to reach the park. ~15 minutes
Walking: From campus walk on Fulton until you reach Alamo Square. ~20 minutes
Driving: From Fulton, drive to Hayes until you reach Hayes and Scott. ~5 minutes
references
Barton, J., & Pretty, J. (2010). What is the best dose of nature and green exercise for improving mental health? A multi-study analysis. Environmental science & technology, 44(10), 3947–3955. https://doi.org/10.1021/es903183r
Center for Collegiate Mental Health. (2022). 2022 Annual report. Center for Collegiate Mental Health. https://ccmh.psu.edu/annual-reports
Cornell Health. (n. d.). Nature rx. Cornell Health. https://health.cornell.edu/resources/health-topics/nature-rx
Park, B. J., Tsunetsugu, Y., Kasetani, T., Kagawa, T., & Miyazaki, Y. (2010). The physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing): evidence from field experiments in 24 forests across Japan. Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, 15(1), 18–26. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12199-009-0086-9
Park Rx America. (2023). Our vision. Park Rx America. https://parkrxamerica.org/about/vision.php
Created by students from KIN 330: Exercise & Health Promotion, Spring 2023 for USF CAPS
Credits:
Created with images by MNStudio - "Hiking trails through giant redwoods in Muir forest near San Francisco, California" • Bumble Dee - "Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California, USA" • Cla78 - "Beautiful view of Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park" • Simon Dannhauer - "Beautiful view of Painted Ladies, colorful Victorian houses located near scenic Alamo Square in a row, on a summer day with blue sky, San Francisco, California, USA"