FROM CHIMNEY ROCK STATE PARK

Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park will host an inaugural On the Move Family Wellness Day event in conjunction with National Trails Day on Saturday, June 4, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the public plaza in front of Cliff Dwellers Gift Shop at the Park in Chimney Rock, N.C. On the Move will feature booths of community partners specializing in the areas of health screening and wellness, outdoor exercise programs for children and adults, and healthy nutrition and organic foods. The event is free to guests with paid admission for the Park, which is $12 for adults and $5 for youth ages 6-15. Children under six are admitted free. If weather conditions are fair, more than 1,000 people are expected to pass through the Park on the event day. In case of severe weather, check the Park’s website for the event status.

“On the Move is the ideal weekend event for parents to connect with their children in nature. In addition to the event’s fun, educational health activities for families, kids will enjoy playing outdoors, seeing live animals at Grady’s Discovery Den, and picnicking in the Park,” said Mary Jaeger-Gale, General Manager at Chimney Rock.

Family Wellness Day. For decades Chimney Rock has promoted hiking as a great way to stay fit and connect with nature. In a collaborative effort, the Be Active-Appalachian Partnership and the Chimney Rock Wellness Coalition launched the On the Move program in winter 2010 to encourage physical fitness. The Park is building on this program to focus on overall health and wellness with the On the Move Family Wellness event, promoting healthy living, exercise and nutrition. The event will kick off with a 9 a.m. guided hike of the Hickory Nut Falls trail, starting in front of Cliff Dwellers Gift Shop. The 11-3pm fair will offer health screenings, fun children’s activities and lots of information on preventative care, general wellness, benefits and ideas for fun exercise and healthy food.

“In our busy lives, people forget that exercise outdoors can be fun and it feels less like work. Getting fit doesn’t have to be drudgery! We hope more people realize they can get great health benefits from being active outside while enjoying the beauty in nature – especially the incredible scenery at Chimney Rock,” said Susan Tumbleston, Executive Director, Be Active-Appalachian Partnership.

On the Move toward Wellness. On the Move is a new program designed to encourage people to be active and reach their fitness goals while enjoying the beautiful scenery of Western North Carolina. People who are active regularly tend to feel healthier, eat healthier and be happier and more confident about their body image, but you don’t have to join an expensive, crowded gym to get there. Chimney Rock offers the ULTIMATE Stairmaster, with 1349 stairs surrounded by some of the most inspiring and beautiful scenery in the world!

On the Move provides simple exercise tips and health information to get started, along with trails information for Chimney Rock and an exercise log, all packaged conveniently in a pocket-sized notebook distributed for free. It includes a Physical Activity Survey on pages 3-4 with questions about the participant’s current physical activity level and attitude. Participants who fill out the survey and turn it in at the Park’s Ticket Plaza can obtain a special rate to purchase or upgrade to an Annual Pass for Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park.

For more information about On the Move, attend Chimney Rock’s Family Wellness Day on June 4 or contact Susan Tumbleston at beactive@appstate.edu about bringing this program to your workplace, school or church community.

About Chimney Rock State Park
Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park is a developing international outdoor destination located 25 miles southeast of Asheville on Highway 64/74A in Chimney Rock, N.C. It is recognized as one of the Southeast’s most iconic sites and popular travel destinations. The Park’s 535-million-year-old monolith called Chimney Rock offers guests 75-mile panoramic views of Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure. Hickory Nut Gorge, one of the state’s most significant centers of biodiversity, is home to 36 rare plant species and 14 rare animal species, as well as the second highest waterfall of its kind in the eastern United States. A popular destination for travel groups, weddings, special events and field trips, the Park is also known for its innovative hands-on educational programs for K-12 schools. Visit Chimney Rock’s website at chimneyrockpark.com. Find more information on current capital improvement projects at chimneyrockpark.com/progress or by calling 800-277-9611.