2.1.11. Implementing the Keystone Active Zone (KAZ) Passport Program to Encourage Physical Activity

The Keystone Active Zone: Passport Program was sponsored through a collaboration between the Luzerne County Steps program and Pennsylvania Advocates for Nutrition and Physical Activity (PANA) to promote the use of trails and parks to encourage residents to be physically active. The program was implemented in schools, worksites and the community reaching students, employees and the community at large. Over 1,000 passports were distributed across the community and approximately 200 participants joined the program. The program was conducted online and 83 evaluations were collected at the end of the program. To read more about how this program was implemented, please read the following case study.

Sector: Community
Disease/Risk Factor Addressed: Physical Activity
Socio-ecological Model Level: Individual
County: Luzerne County, PA

"Keystone Active Zone: Passport Program" To encourage people of all ages to use close-to-home parks, trails, and events for regular physical activity 12 months

1. Identify and convene planning group
   • Approximately three meetings of the group were required to plan the program
   • Confirm media partners, prize donors and prize certificates.
2. Develop timeline for project
   • Deadlines, printing, and promotion plan/schedule
3. Identify parks, trails and events/dates to include as passport stops
4. Update/obtain contact information and scavenger hunt questions
5. Produce printed passport and flier
   • Distribute widely: schools, worksites, organizations, etc.
6. Update website and load all program details and information and enlist partners to put KAZ link on their websites
7. Recruit volunteers to staff events where needed
8. Implement and manage promotion plan with launch throughout spring and summer
9. Manage program throughout spring and summer
   • Includes record keeping, communication with participants and program partners, and incentive/prize mailing

The local Wellness Trails Partnership, Local Rails-to-Trails organization, YMCAs, TV and radio stations, two local health insurance companies, local newspapers, school districts, Safe Kids Network, the local City Health Department, local trail and outdoor groups and clubs

1. Establish a date
2. Work with partners to organize educational tables
3. Market the event via email, flyers, and school announcements
4. Prepare for the event—purchase of incentives photocopy educational materials, etc.

• Steps to a Healthier Luzerne County funding covered the staff time necessary to manage the program, postage, printing, website and supplies ($15,038)
• Local Wellness Trails partnership provided cash support for graphic design and prizes for National Trails Day ($1,025)
• In-kind support from donated media and prizes ($24,795)

1. In order to gather data and to evaluate the program, it must be offered as a web-based program. The first implementation of the program was paper-based, in which, participants had to mail or hand turn in their passports at the end of the summer after completing the program. This did not prove to be an effective way of getting the passports turned in to gauge participation, etc. It was determined that web-based was the most convenient method for participants (based on evaluation feedback from previous year and other states' experiences)
2. The program must be simple and easy to communicate and understand. Everyone, regardless of age, is a potential participant so broad support and assistance with marketing and communication is essential.
3. Enlist area agencies, organizations and worksites to assist with distribution of program promotion materials. Distribute program fliers to elementary schools because this is a regular way that information is disseminated.
4. Parents and caregivers will make the decision to participate so promotion needs to catch their attention. Continuous and broad public promotion on TV, radio and print media is essential for wide reach and participation. http://www.kazpassport.org/

Evaluation Data Collected:

83 Evaluations collected from participants: 98% of participants stated that because of this program, they will continue to visit the local parks and trails. 90% of participants stated that the program increased their family’s physical activity. Also, 98% stated that they would participate in the program next summer. 89% of participants were over age 18 with a mean age of 43 and the oldest participant being age 66. The highest percentage of people reported hearing of the program through their worksites (30%) and the newspapers (23%). 81% of participants visited the passport stops with their families.