Florida Department of Health in Duval County Cleans Up! local parks

A project to increase physical activity and contribute to healthier, litter-free environments

Jacksonville - About 50 employees of the Florida Department of Health in Duval County (DOH-Duval) took to the community today to engage in local clean up activities at John McPherson and Warren Schell Parks in the Springfield area, and Wesconnett Park on the Westside of Jacksonville. The Florida Health Cleans Up! initiative is part of the Florida Department of Health’s Healthiest Weight program and is designed to encourage physical activity while emphasizing how small choices affect our health and environment. Much of the litter cleaned up is cigarette butts and fast food waste.

This is a statewide activity for county health departments.

“Our staff recognizes the importance of being active and we value our outdoor environment,” said DOH-Duval Director Dr. Kelli Wells. “This activity was a great way to combine efforts to increase physical activity while improving the appearance of several local parks near our DOH-Duval facilities.

DOH-Duval staff took an estimated 16,000 steps during today’s clean up.

The Florida Department of Health in Duval County joins other county health departments in keeping our city and state litter free. In response to the Department of Transportation’s new “Drive It Home… Keep Our Paradise Litter-Free ℠”  educational campaign, the Department of Health is forming many more clean-up teams around the state.

###