What: The American Heart Association, JaxParks, Police   Athletic League, Jacksonville Children's Commission, The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and Comcast have partnered to celebrate Nickelodeon's Worldwide Day of Play.  Nickelodeon will go dark for three hours and suggest children go outside and play.  As community leaders, we encourage physical activity and better nutrition to ensure a healthier generation.  Activities, nutritional guidance, snacks, special guests and sporting challenges will give the children of the First Coast a unique opportunity.  Fruit snacks and juice proudly sponsored by McDonald's.

When:  Saturday, September 29, 2007 from Noon until 3 PM

Where:

Mallison Park & Center, 3133 Lenox Ave., Jax., Fl 32254
        
Charles Boobie Clark Park, 8793 Sibbald Rd., Jax., Fl 32208
        
Ed Austin Regional Park, 11751 McCormick Rd., Jax., Fl 32225
        
Drew Park, 6621 Barnes Road South, Jax., Fl 32216

Why:  We have come together to fight one of our community's leading health threats – childhood obesity. The goal is to stop the nationwide increase in childhood obesity by 2010 and to empower kids nationwide to make healthy lifestyle choices.  Today about 25 million kids (ages 2-19) in the United States are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight. That's nearly one of every three kids. Overweight kids are more likely to become overweight adults.

Some experts believe that if obesity among kids continues to increase at this rate, our current generation could become the FIRST in American history to live shorter lives than their parents. 

Support the First Coast effort to stop childhood obesity and create an adventure of physical activity.