Calling All Families! Come Out and Play this Summer with Coca-Cola and The National Parks

/PRNewswire/ -- Remember the old refrain, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy?" Who wants to be dull? Coca-Cola, the National Park Foundation and renowned medical/diet expert Dr. Ian Smith want you to add a little fun into your life by making playdates in the parks for you and your family this summer. The "America Is Your Park" campaign launches today to encourage millions of Americans to be active outdoors and to cast a vote for their favorite park to win a $100,000 recreation grant made possible by Coca-Cola's Live Positively initiative.

"We understand that more families are looking for ways to have fun and be active together, but might lack the resources or an outside space to do so," said Katie J. Bayne, President and General Manager, Sparkling Beverages, Coca-Cola North America. "Coca-Cola has supported America's national parks for the past 40 years through campaigns like this because of our belief that everyone needs a place to play and spend time with family and friends."

Through online engagement and community grants, Coca-Cola is donating more than $500,000 to national, state and local parks across the country to restore or rebuild places for people of all ages to play. The campaign also encourages people to support the national and state parks system by voting for their favorite park on LivePositively.com through August 31, 2010 or coming out to local park health and wellness events that Coca-Cola will host this summer - all with the goal of making their communities a better place to live.

"Being physically active and maintaining a balanced diet should be a very important part of every family's health plan," said Dr. Ian Smith, medical/diet expert on VH1's highly rated "Celebrity Fit Club" and creator and founder of The 50 Million Pound Challenge. "National parks have been part of the American family experience for years, and playing in the park is a simple way for people to lead healthier and more balanced lives."

Through the support of individual parks and the partnership with the National Park Foundation, Coca-Cola has donated more than $13 million for restoration and renovation of our country's parks, including the restoration of more than 260 miles of "Active Trails" for families to hike and explore, and is developing the first sustainable recycling program at The National Mall, a national park in the heart of the Nation's Capital, Washington, D.C.

"The rewards of our long-standing partnership with Coca-Cola lie in hundreds of miles of restored hiking trails, renovated landmarks and millions of dollars in renovated park facilities provided throughout the years," said Neil Mulholland, President and CEO, National Park Foundation. "The positive impact of 'America Is Your Park' and similar campaigns will be felt for years to come by families who will have improved facilities to be active and have fun outdoors."

About the "America Is Your Park" Campaign

Every day should be a day in the park this summer. That's why Coca-Cola will be giving away fun prizes as well as annual passes and family vacations to America's 392 parks through programs on MyCokeRewards and the Summer Snapshot Contest on the Coke Facebook page. Consumers are also encouraged to visit MyCoke.com to upload their laugh to the Smile-izer. For every laugh submitted, a dollar will be donated to the National Park Foundation, up to $50,000.

What's more, from July 29 to August 31, people can go to LivePositively.com to cast a vote for their favorite park to win the title of "America's Favorite Park" and a $100,000 grant from Coca-Cola for new activity equipment such as bikes and kayaks, or for the restoration and construction of activity areas. Additionally, Coca-Cola will work with the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) to host WNBA FIT Clinics at parks in select cities across the country, as part of a new multiyear marketing partnership agreement. To learn more about Coca-Cola's efforts in our nation's parks and to vote for your favorite park, visit www.livepositively.com.

About the National Park Foundation

You are the part-owner of 84 million acres of the world's most treasured landscapes, ecosystems, and historical sites -- all protected in America's nearly 400 national parks. Chartered by Congress, the National Park Foundation is the official charity of America's national parks. We work hand in hand with the National Park Service to help connect you and all Americans to the parks, and to make sure that they are preserved for the generations who will follow. Join us - This is Your Land. www.nationalparks.org.

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America's Purple Heart Trail

(NAPSI)-One of the reasons that freedom thrives in America is because of brave men and women who endured the true pain of preserving the nation's ideals. Indeed, some have given their lives to uphold justice and liberty for all.

For these acts of individual bravery, the nation's government presents its oldest military decoration: the Purple Heart medal. The Purple Heart Trail was established in 1992 by the Military Order of the Purple Heart to create a visual and symbolic tribute to those brave men and women. The Purple Heart Trail originates at a monument in Mt. Vernon, Virginia. Mt. Vernon is the burial location of George Washington, the nation's first president, the commander in chief of the Revolutionary Army, and the father of the Purple Heart award. Currently, 45 states have enacted legislation to have some portion of their road system dedicated to honor Purple Heart recipients, and other states are now working on dedicating sections of their road system. Montana and Kansas have dedicated their state's entire interstate system as the Purple Heart Trail. Currently, the longest part of the trail runs along I-80 from San Francisco to the Wyoming-Nebraska border, and Nebraska is trying to get its portion of I-80 so designated.

Signs have been placed in many locations across America indicating roads, highways and even bridges where states and localities have enacted legislation to mark their portion of the Purple Heart Trail. Guam and Puerto Rico have also acted to honor Purple Heart recipients this way. These signs present a visual reminder to those who travel freely through the nation that freedom is not without cost.

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Putting Foot to Paper With Hiking Guide

T2F Note: This guidebook will provide you with many local options for day trips near Atlanta, therefore, it is certainly deserving of the coveted "Fayette Front Page Day Tripper Award."

Take a hike, Ren Davis ’73C tells urban explorers — and lists dozens of trails not far beyond the city limits. The Emory Healthcare employee, with his wife Helen, co-authored the Falcon Guide “Best Hikes Near Atlanta” released in May by Globe Pequot Press. Hear Davis read an excerpt from the guide.

From mountaintop vistas to historic sites and urban pathways, the guidebook describes 35 hiking destinations within an hour’s drive of Atlanta.

“We covered all four corners of the compass, from as far north as Amicalola Falls and far south as Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge,” says Davis, who hiked every trail armed with a notebook, GPS and camera.

Each hike features the Davises’ full-color photos; a brief route description; directions to the trailhead and GPS coordinates; an accurate trail map; and at-a-glance information on distance and difficulty level, hiking time, canine compatibility, fees and permits. Peppered throughout are “green tips” and sidebars on local lore, points of interest, and area wildlife.

“We’ve pulled together information about Georgia’s natural and human history to give readers a sense for, what is this area we’re going to be hiking in?” he says.

A native Atlantan, Davis is a local historian whose grandfather co-founded Emory Crawford Long Hospital, now Emory University Hospital Midtown. In 2003, Davis penned a book, “Caring for Atlanta: A History of Emory Crawford Long Hospital,” to commemorate the hospital’s redevelopment.

The avid hiker majored in history at Emory, an interest that informs much of his writing. The Davises describe themselves as “hands-on historians,” with a philosophy of preserving the past. “We feel that the best way to experience history is to walk it. Whether it’s a battleground or historic neighborhood, if you experience an area at the level of a pedestrian you’re more inclined to want to preserve it.”

And getting people out of their cars to more closely explore the world around them “is what we’re all about,” Davis says. Globe Pequot Press commissioned the Davises to write the Atlanta guidebook as part of their Falcon Guide city series based on the couple’s popular guides to hiking and walking the city: “Atlanta Walks” (1993) and “Georgia Walks” (2001). Both books are still in print with updated editions.

“Best Hikes Near Atlanta,” released in bookstores this May, was the culmination of two years of research, writing and many miles logged on foot. Complicating matters was a burglary in the Davises’ home where two computers were stolen. “I lost photographs for eight chapters! Fortunately I had backed up the manuscript to CD just the week before,” he says.

Davis, a project director in the Emory Healthcare Office of Quality, offers this advice to other aspiring authors on the Emory staff: “Find a topic that interests you, that you have some expertise in or are willing to invest time in, and then research what may already be out there,” he advises.

The Davises are already on to their next writing projects. “Best Easy Day Hikes Atlanta” to be released by Globe Pequot in 2010, features selections penned by the husband and wife team. And Davis has recently finished another manuscript, a guide to Civilian Conservation Corps sites in parks across the U.S.


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Top 10 Asheville, North Carolina, Mountain Hiking Trails

/PRNewswire/ -- It's time to hit the trails! The popular online travel guide to Asheville, www.RomanticAsheville.com, selected its top 10 easy and FREE day hikes in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina for 2009.

1. Gorges State Park: New parking and trails open in May for much better access to rugged river gorges. Hike along the Horsepasture River to see several waterfalls, including Rainbow Falls.

2. Mt. Mitchell: After enjoying the 360-degree vistas from the new observation deck atop the highest peak east of the Rockies, head to the Deep Gap Trail and hike over four more peaks over 6,000 feet.

3. Craggy Gardens: The Blue Ridge Parkway reopens here in May after more than a year of repairs. The Craggy Gardens Trail takes you across a rhododendron bald, and a 1.5-mile roundtrip hike to Craggy Pinnacle offers panoramic views.

4. Point Lookout Trail: This new 3.6-mile paved greenway climbs 900 feet in elevation in Pisgah National Forest. Bike or hike from Old Fort and enjoy mountain views.

5. Dupont State Forest: The best waterfall hike is a three mile trail to three waterfalls, including the impressive 150-foot High Falls with great places for wading and waterside picnics.

6. Max Patch: Hike the loop around the summit or continue further on the Appalachian Trail to enjoy breathtaking views from this bald mountaintop.

7. Cold Mountain: This famous mountain offers a strenuous 10.6-mile roundtrip hike to its summit. The hike includes a 2,800 foot elevation gain to the 6,030-foot peak.

8. Graveyard Fields: This highland hike along the Blue Ridge Parkway features a mile-high valley filled with wildflowers and surrounded by 6,000-foot peaks. With an easy four mile hike, you see two nice waterfalls.

9. Black Balsam Knob: Hike across more spectacular mountain balds. These treeless mountaintops offer sweeping views and alpine-like appearance. Hike three miles without dropping back into the trees.

10. Urban Trail: If you are looking for an urban hike, walk the 1.7-mile journey that showcases the art and history of Asheville, with 30 downtown stops, each with public sculpture.

For details on these trails plus others, see the comprehensive Asheville hiking and waterfall guides at www.romanticasheville.com/hiking.html.

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