The map highlights community organizations, pools, farmers markets, parks, trails, senior centers, playgrounds and more across Halifax County.

(The complete map is attached as a PDF at the end of this story)

“Parents, families and individuals can all find something that suits them. The map highlights so many wonderful places to play and be active and the benefit to families for their social, emotional and physical health is tremendous, said Magda Baligh, RV-CHI member and executive director, Halifax - Warren Smart Start Partnership for Children.”

The objective in creating the map is to encourage residents of the Roanoke Valley to lead healthier more active lives and the Places to Explore, Move and Play map serves as a tool to help them become more active. The comprehensive map also provides health tips; information for local medical facilities; park hours; and a list of elementary, middle, and high school sites with safe spaces to play.

According to County Health Rankings & Roadmaps the need for easy “go-to” resources such as the Places to Explore, Move and Play map are clear when taking into account that counties in the Roanoke Valley rank near the bottom of the list for positive health outcomes in comparison to the state. The rankings evaluate counties based on mortality and morbidity.

For example, indicators for both Northampton and Halifax Counties reveal a low rate of access to recreation facilities and a very low percent of low-income residents have limited access to healthy foods. The Places to Explore, Move and Play map is one step in the right direction to change the picture of health in the Roanoke Valley by promoting parks, farmers markets, playgrounds, senior and community centers to name a few.

“The map of play is a first step towards a lifetime of opportunities to help improve health outcomes for the Roanoke Valley community, said Audrey Hardy, RV-CHI coordinator.”

Creating the map was a collaborative effort of the RV-CHI partner organizations. Input to create the map came from a range of diverse organizations all focused on the common goal of empowering residents to adopt healthier lifestyles.

The Places to Explore, Move and Play map is not intended to be static. As the RV-CHI expands and works with more partners across the Roanoke Valley to identify spaces, organizations, and activities that encourage healthy eating and active living, the map will surely grow.

The map is being made widely available through websites and partner locations including: www.halifaxregional.org/healthy; http://www.halifax.ca/rec; the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce and more.

RV-CHI is looking for all interested organizations interested in posting the map to their websites or carrying hardcopies. For more information about the Places to Explore, Move and Play map or to support the RV-CHI, please contact Hardy at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..