PlanetExplore.com Launches in New York, Giving Residents an Online Resource for Local Outdoor Activities

NEW YORK, Feb. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- The North Face today announced that PlanetExplore, a new online resource for outdoor recreational activities, is now available in the New York region.  Created by The North Face, PlanetExplore is an online community of national and regional organizations, helping people of all ages find local outdoor recreational activities.

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The New York launch of PlanetExplore comes on the heels of The Outdoor Foundation's recently released Special Report on Youth, which found that outdoor participation among youth continues to decrease each year, with the rate of decline steepest among the youngest age groups.  

After launching in the San Francisco Bay Area, home of The North Face, PlanetExplore expanded into the Midwest with a Denver release, and is now available nationwide with the New York introduction. The site has partnered with more than 100 non-profit organizations across the country, offering many opportunities to discover a diverse array of outdoor activities.

To kick off the New York launch, PlanetExplore and New York Restoration Project will be hosting NYRP's Winter Warm-Up -- a free event offering winter activities that encourage local exploration and expose youth to nature experiences -- on Saturday, February 13^th.  Supported by the NYC Green Stops, Winter Warm-Up will expose local children to hands-on activities in the non-profit's Swindler Cove Park and the adjacent Highbridge Park.

"Kids and adults, especially folks from urban communities, NEED to get outside -- time in nature makes them more healthy, fit, and even more happy," explains Akiima Price, Chief of Education and Programs at NYRP. "I'm so proud we're partnering with The North Face and PlanetExplore to get people outdoors. And, by introducing New Yorkers to all the great organizations at the Winter Warm-up and on PlanetExplore, they'll be getting out even more in the months to come."

Since The Outdoor Foundation began tracking youth participation in 2006, the rate of participation among girls 6-to-12 fell from 77 to 58 percent, while that of boys 6-to-12 fell from 79 to 69 percent, reflective of the inactivity and obesity crisis facing American youth today.  The biggest barriers for non-participants were lack of interest, including screen time (TV, video games, and computers) at 39 percent, and lack of parental support, 17 percent.

"Thanks to the steadfast leadership and generous support of The North Face, young leaders from across the country will be empowered to reclaim, redefine and rediscover the outdoors," said Chris Fanning, executive director of The Outdoor Foundation.  

Other organizations supporting the Winter Warm Up include the National Parks Conservation Association of New York City, Greenbelt Nature Center, New York State Outdoor Education Association, and the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, among others.  

Later this year, PlanetExplore, Backpacker Magazine and Outdoor Foundation will host the first annual Outdoor Nation event in New York City, the largest effort to bring youth together to discuss the challenges and opportunities around increasing youth outdoor participation.

For more information about the Winter Warm Up event or PlanetExplore, please visit www.planetexplore.com.

About PlanetExplore

Created by The North Face, PlanetExplore is an online community designed to help individuals and families learn about and participate in outdoor activities and events in their area. Powered by partner organizations that share our passion, PlanetExplore is a portal to the outdoors designed to inspire and enable people of all ages to become regularly active outside, and to develop the benefits gained through a connection to nature.

About New York Restoration Project (NYRP)

New York Restoration Project's (NYRP) goal is to make the Harlem River -- including its Upper Manhattan and Bronx shorelines -- a major recreational and educational destination for all New Yorkers, with an emphasis on serving the residents of one of New York City's most economically disadvantaged and densely populated neighborhoods. NYRP is a non-profit organization dedicated to reclaiming and restoring New York City parks, community gardens and open space.  In partnership with the City of New York, NYRP is also leading MillionTreesNYC – an initiative to plant and care for one million new trees throughout New York City's five boroughs by 2017.  To learn more about NYRP programs, visit www.nyrp.org.

About The North Face®

The North Face, a division of VF Outdoor, Inc., was founded in 1968. Headquartered in San Leandro, California, the company offers the most technically advanced products in the market to accomplished climbers, mountaineers, snow sport athletes, endurance athletes, and explorers. The company's products are sold in specialty mountaineering, backpacking, running, and snow sport retailers, premium-sporting goods retailers and major outdoor specialty retail chains.

SOURCE The North Face