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While many cite—and slightly alter—the iconic line from Field of Dreams: “If you build it, he will come,” simply building “it” doesn’t necessarily result in demand, and thus, success.
But, if you build it and make it accessible, there’s a greater chance that they will come.
That’s been the recipe for success in Arlington, Virginia, which was named America’s fittest city for the seventh consecutive year according to the 2024 American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) American Fitness Index.
What are they doing so well?
“They provide such good access to parks, pools, trails, YMCAs, rec centers, and more,” said Stella Volpe, Ph.D., ACSM President and Fitness Index Advisory Board Chair. “That’s the key, and because they’re accessible, people use them, which then helps their personal health indicators of having lower risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.”
In its 17th year, the ACSM American Fitness Index was developed to showcase “the importance of community assets to improve health behaviors and outcomes.” Looking at the 100 largest U.S. cities based on population, researchers analyze 30 fitness indicators divided into two subscores: personal health and community/environment. By leveraging data and surveys from established entities, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Census Bureau, the ACSM American Fitness Index ranks cities from 1 to 100.
Nationally, researchers saw notable improvements in public transportation and biking/walking to work, as well as park expenditures. This year’s report also identified areas where communities can improve, including food insecurity, mental health services, and community design that enables increased physical activity.
Factors like air quality, promoting walking/biking, and accessibility to parks and green spaces were all positive factors in promoting healthy and active communities. A lack thereof coupled with limited mental health services and food insecurity prove to be detrimental.
“We like to see this (report) as an opportunity for cities,” Volpe said. “We’re not bashing a city at all because not every city has the resources.”
Located in Northern Virginia directly across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., Arlington was fourth in personal health rank and first in community/environment rank in 2024 to secure the top spot on the ACSM American Fitness Index for a seventh consecutive year.
Clearly there’s something in the water, because the nation’s capital ranks second, while Seattle, San Francisco and Madison, Wisc., round out the top 5. The five most populous cities in the U.S. certainly vary based on their rankings: New York City (26th), Los Angeles (54th), Chicago (18th), Houston (61st), and Phoenix (74th).
“We’re most excited that it reflects our County’s commitment to health and wellness,” said Jerusalem Solomon, Communications and Engagement Manager at Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation. “Our residents continue to stay active and make healthy choices in part because of the County’s availability and access to great resources such as our parks, community recreation facilities, fitness programming, a robust trail system, and so much more.”
The first step toward creating a more active and healthy community is utilizing resources to provide opportunities for residents and tourists to get moving. Arlington checks this box with more than 50 miles of multi-use trails and 930 acres of parkland.
While building out the infrastructure is obviously great, making it as accessible and convenient for as many people as possible is equally, if not more important.
Not only is Arlington situated on the Potomac which offers plenty of opportunities for aquatic activities, but 99 percent of its nearly 250,000 residents live within a 10-minute walk to a park. Arlington County also provides pertinent information on programming like yoga, Zumba, dance, Pilates and even beginner adult gymnastics for community members to stay active via its seasonal Enjoy Arlington catalog and 55+ catalog.
All of this aligns with the mission to promote wellness and vitality through dynamic programs and attractive public spaces set forth via the Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation strategic plan, approved in April 2020 with the vision of making “Arlington the happiest, healthiest place to live, learn, work and play.” This mission is put into action through development initiatives, capital projects, programs and other planning documents that help bring some of their opportunities for healthy living to life.
As Arlington continues to create opportunities for residents to be active, unfortunately in many communities, parks and recreation is the first critical infrastructure to suffer budget cuts. Less than six weeks into the COVID-19 shutdown, nearly half of all U.S. parks and recreation agencies received requests to make cuts to their current fiscal year budget, while 31 percent were already making cuts to their 2020-21 budget, according to the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).
Despite such cuts, parks and green spaces became the places to be, especially in major cities, where people could safely exercise, socialize and simply escape all of the uncertainty while trying to prioritize their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing during such trying times.
Since then, Arlington has continued to prioritize the development and maintenance of its green spaces by investing in projects and programs that foster engagement and promote a healthier and more resilient county.
In July, the Arlington County Board adopted the $5.2 billion FY25-FY34 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) which includes $308.8 million in funding for “park trail and bridge modernization, parks capital maintenance, synthetic turf replacements, and parks master plans.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the vital role that parks play in supporting the physical and mental health of our community,” Solomon said.
Regardless of what funding, resources or opportunities Arlington or any community in the U.S. has or lacks, Volpe said the important thing is for individuals to take control of their own mental and physical wellbeing to the best of their ability.
Regular physical activity provides many mental, physiological and emotional benefits. Children ages 6-13 can see improved thinking or cognition as a result, while regular physical activity can reduce short-term feelings of anxiety for adults, according to the CDC. The CDC and other health organizations recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week for adults.
Other benefits of regular physical activity include: improved cognition and learning, reduced risk of depression and anxiety, improved sleep, weight maintenance, strengthening of bones and muscles, and decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other ailments.
“We all can make small changes in our personal life, whether it’s taking the stairs more, getting up from your desk more or going on daily walks,” Volpe said. “All of those can be helpful and done on a personal level. Something’s better than nothing and multiple bouts are really effective in helping people be healthier.
“It just takes a little movement every day.”
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