It’s no secret I believe in getting outside and staying active, so when the folks at Coca-Cola reached out to me to become a park champion for their third-annual America is Your Park campaign I quickly said yes.

I truly believe a large part of my kids’ generation is missing the benefits of playing outside. Sure, video games and all the new techie toys are fun, but so is playing in the park. When I was little we didn’t have a choice – we went outside to play and loved it.

My kids were thrilled to receive our America is Your Park activity pack filled with balls, jump ropes and other toys for a fun-filled day in the park.

Through the America Is Your Park campaign, people can vote for their favorite park to win the coveted title of “America’s Favorite Park.” Also at stake is a $100,000 recreation grant from the Coca-Cola Live Positively initiative. Just imagine what $100,000 could do for one of your area parks—it could mean new swing sets for your kids or perhaps a refurbished running trail for you. That’s right, I said RUNNING trail. Ahem.

What’s great is more than one park will win. Second- and third-place parks will receive grants. Also, a $15,000 grant will be awarded, at random, to a lucky park that comes in 4th to 25th on the leader board by the end of the contest. These recreation grants are provided to help restore, rebuild or enhance activity areas in parks where people can play and be active.

You can vote for your favorite park at LivePositively.com/parks; and from your mobile phone too! On the site, you can also learn how to earn more votes by “checking-in” from the park.

Voting is happening now goes through 11:59 p.m. ET on July 15, 2012, that’s this Sunday so make sure to act fast. The winning parks will be announced in early August. You can visit LivePositively.com/parks to see if your park won.

Winks & Smiles,

Disclosure: I received a America is Your Park activity pack from Coca-Cola. As always, my thoughts and opinions are all my own.