Thursday, November 12, 2026
The Health Benefits of Your Local Park: Recreational Therapist Explains
What if one of the best places to support your health and wellness is already in your neighborhood?
On this episode of On Call, Off Script, a Jackson Health System podcast, we explore the cross-over between Miami-Dade County Parks and recreational therapy at Jackson Health System. From fitness and swimming to adaptive sports, social connection, and rehabilitation, parks can play a much bigger role in our health than we might realize.
Ashley Herrera, a recreational therapist at Christine E. Lynn Rehabilitation Center for The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis at UHealth/Jackson Memorial, and Christina White, director of the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces Department, explore how recreational therapy uses parks to help patients practice real-world skills, the role open spaces played during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how getting outside can easily contribute to living an overall healthier life.
So, if your doctor is telling you to get outside and touch some grass, our guests will point you in the right direction!
Meet the Guests
Christina White
Christina White is the director of the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department. With more than 24 years in public service, she leads a system of more than 300 parks, along with golf courses, marinas, beaches, recreation programs, senior programming, nature centers, and more.
Christina White is the director of the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department. With more than 24 years in public service, she leads a system of more than 300 parks, along with golf courses, marinas, beaches, recreation programs, senior programming, nature centers, and more.
Ashley Herrera
Ashley Herrera is a recreational therapist at Christine E. Lynn Rehabilitation Center for The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis at UHealth/Jackson Memorial. She previously worked for Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces in the therapeutic recreation and inclusion division. In her current role, Herrera helps patients prepare to return to life outside of the hospital, using community outings, adaptive recreation, and other activities to build skills, confidence, and social connection.
Ashley Herrera is a recreational therapist at Christine E. Lynn Rehabilitation Center for The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis at UHealth/Jackson Memorial. She previously worked for Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces in the therapeutic recreation and inclusion division. In her current role, Herrera helps patients prepare to return to life outside of the hospital, using community outings, adaptive recreation, and other activities to build skills, confidence, and social connection.
Meet the Host
Ruelle Champion
Media Relations & Branded Content Specialist for Jackson Health System
Ruelle Champion joined the team in 2023, coming from a journalism background as an anchor and reporter in Gainesville, FL. Ruelle is also a proud graduate of Florida A&M University and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Ruelle Champion joined the team in 2023, coming from a journalism background as an anchor and reporter in Gainesville, FL. Ruelle is also a proud graduate of Florida A&M University and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
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