Since 2009, the Partners in Health coalition has staged the Golden Shoe event to encourage Stanly County residents to be physically active and to utilize the recreational parks in the county.  In this event, the committee repurposes old shoes by painting them gold.  Shoes are then tagged with a unique number and hidden in designated parks throughout Stanly County.  The tag attached to each shoe also gives the lucky winner the information needed to pick up their fun prize on the designated pick up day. 

The Golden Shoe event is popular with people of all ages, from toddlers to seniors, and encourages families to get out and play. In 2019, 100% of participants who claimed prizes indicated that they are likely to continue visiting their local park. 

Stanly County Partners in Health collect data at each Golden Shoe event.  We have found that people who have gone to local parks to hunt for shoes also participate in other physical activity while at the park.  They report being likely to return to the park for physical activity.  

                 2023 Golden Shoe Data

Participated Before: Yes (40%) No (60%)      Visit Parks More: Yes (57%) No (43%)

Physical Activity other than Golden Shoe while at the park: Yes (96%) No (4%)