UTICA, N.Y. -- Utica's Mayor wants city children to eat healthy and stay active outdoors this summer. On Monday, he announced his “Operation Play in the Park” campaign, which will utilize 12 city parks as exercise camps this summer.

The mayor is working with the city Youth Bureau to provide children with activities in the parks all at no cost to families. Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito donated healthy snacks to children on Monday as part of the campaign. Mayor Roefaro says that it's important for kids to utilize the parks the city has to offer.

"We don't want them going for the chips and the soda all the time. We want them to know that they can come here, play in the park, have a healthy snack and it's still a lot of fun. You don't need the chips and soda all the time," said Roefaro.

Roefaro says exercise sports camps will be offered throughout the summer, some with actual professionals doing the teaching and coaching.