he DMV is
lush with
public outdoor
green spaces. In fact, in terms
of public park access,
D.C. is third best in the
nation according to the
Trust for Public Land.

While area kids have
great opportunities to
experience and enjoy
nature, do their families
take full advantage of it?
TEXT MEREDITH BAKER
Many pediatricians say
no. They are concerned
about what author
Richard Louv terms
“nature deficit disorder.”
The health and wellness
benefits of spending time
in nature are proven,
and children who don’t
engage in outdoor
play may eventually
suffer from obesity and
developmental problems.

However, parents who
did not grow up going
camping or spending
time outdoors may not
realize the preventative
health benefits exposure
to nature provides.

One area pediatrician
is curbing this problem
by actually prescribing
nature for his young
patients and their
families. Dr. Robert Zarr
works at Unity Health
Care, serving low-
income and immigrant
families in Washington,
D.C. Known as “Nature
Doc,” Zarr leads D.C.

Park RX, a program that
helps train physicians,
nurses and other
providers of health care
10 August 2016 washingtonFAMILY.com