Kingfisher Active Living Initiative
Kingfisher is a small rural community in
For most of the partners in this effort, their areas of interest range widely from health care, economic development, agriculture, recreation, local history, education, city planning, and emergency management, among others.
Starting Out
Key leadership for the Active Living Initiative began in response to a competition among communities in the state, sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. The contest was to identify which communities had made the best developments of park space in 2002. The local Chamber of Commerce invited some citizens to form an entry, and a group known as Kingfisher Trails was born. The group identified needs and opportunities for a trail system around the community, and a nature park along areas previously unavailable for public use. Most importantly, this group began to understand that just building trail facilities was not enough. A whole walking movement was required.
Around the same time, the
Kingfisher Turning Point council (a collaboration of health professionals in
the county) circulated a survey of needs in the community. Their survey revealed self-identified needs
for greater physical activity and loss of weight. This is very much in keeping with statistics
from the state comparing
The leadership of Kingfisher Trails, in attendance at Turning Point meetings, became more and more convinced that this rural community needed to effect a change in the community psychology. This included how the community sees itself, better appreciating the beauty of the local environment and understanding that the environment itself might make the town a destination point for many others. It also included how individuals spent leisure time, making opportunities available for greater access to the outdoor areas.
The partnership was born in the grant competition sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for the “Active Living by Design” grant. This program encourages
communities to view health in terms of the barriers to better health within the community as a whole. Though unsuccessful in the grant, the vision remained strong.
The
vision that took root was:
·
A transformed community, through facilities,
policies, and relationships.
·
A new movement changing our psychology of self
image, changing lifestyles.
·
An improved quality of life, attracting new
people and bettering life for all.
·
Economic development directly related to being a
healthier place to live with opportunities for a better quality of life.
Kingfisher’s Active Living Initiative is ongoing, with significant milestones reached already, including interim funding goals, staffing, and program initiations, yet much work remains.
Health Agency Roles
Many health care professionals have had significant inputs to Kingfisher’s Active Living Initiative. The initial vision developed in discussions of the Kingfisher County Turning Point Council. This is a program with staff from the State Health Department, funded in large part with grants from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. It is locally driven, however, with local people developing the programs responding to local needs.
The State Health Department facilitated the Active Living by Design grant application, with a couple of Turning Points staff assisting in review of the document.
Seven communities were selected by the State Health Department for participation in a program called “Walk This Weigh,” with Kingfisher being one, because of the active collaboration underway. Walk This Weigh is designed to get people walking a minimum of 1,000 steps per day, and raise public awareness of the need for better exercise. Statewide, the Health Department solicited sponsors, including Weight Watchers and McDonald’s, among others. These sponsors provided free pedometers, t-shirts, salads, and other gifts, which went in with local gifts to provide incentives for participation. The State Health Department’s presence at civic meetings, advertising, and in the event itself greatly enhanced the visibility and success of the walking campaign.
Implementation
of the Walk This Weigh program fell to the local partners, with the County
Health Department, the
The State Health Department professionals employed great skill in organizing the state wide program and publicity, as well as getting significant support from the sponsors. Being named as a “pilot community” helped participants take the program seriously.
Other health issues have been competing for staff time. While Turning Point staff later turned its attention to issues of smoking cessation, education, and legislation, much more ground still could be gained by continuing the focus on the healthier lifestyles of exercise and walking.
Partnerships and Support
We developed specific initiative goals:
- Developing and maintaining Initiative partnerships.
- We will be advocates for active living and participate with all the partner organizations and seek out the assistance of many available professionals.
- We
have initiated a process of strategic planning to identify resources,
barriers, needs and interventions available to the city of
- Our leadership attends the meetings of our partners, who are many and diverse, representing the interests of active living, and communicating progress and needs among the participants.
- Wide
community involvement in the planning process is sought at community
meetings with the National Park Service and with every other initiative
partner.
2.
Increasing access to and availability of diverse opportunities for
active living.
Many potential improvements to the opportunities for active living are already apparent, including the following:
· The development of the Kingfisher Trail and Greenway
· Creation of a nature park, hiking trails, campsites, equestrian trails, mountain bike trails, and educational nature trails
· Planning and fundraising for the floodplain mitigation project
· A “Safe Routes to School” Initiative
· Conversion of the school track facilities to an all-weather community facility
·
Wider usage of the
·
Development and wide implementation of a
Wellness Program
- Elimination of design and policy barriers that reduce choices for active living.
The Initiative has the opportunity to reverse many barriers to active living, including:
- Opening up wild spaces within the community for public access
- Planning inclusion of sidewalks and trail tie-ins to new developments
- Locating bike racks around town
- Tying together three schools, the fairgrounds and rodeo grounds, seven parks, the library, the downtown business district, city offices, the golf course, the aquatic center, and all housing developments in the city with a new trail system.
- Improving existing sidewalks with curb cuts and repairs, and creating new ones
- Structuring policies of the aquatic center to make it more accessible and to convert it to a more diversified fitness center.
- Developing communication programs that
create awareness and understanding of the benefits of active living:
The Initiative includes development and implementation of:
· An educational program in the school system on the importance of physical activity.
· A Wellness Program, used community wide.
· New events and organizations to maximize our facilities (aquatic center, schools, parks, the trail, etc.) like a bicycling club and “friends of the trail.”
· Better support for current events like the Fun Run and 3-on-3 basketball tournament.
· Writing features for the Kingfisher Times and Free Press, a county-wide newspaper, communicating the benefits of active living and the progress of the Initiative.
·
The Coordinator has established a formal study
for baseline analysis of “active living” behaviors within the community. This will by assisted in part by the
participation in the Oklahoma City University Kramer School of Nursing. This phase is assisted by the health
professionals represented in the Kingfisher County Turning Points organization.
Because of the wide-ranging and varied elements of the Initiative, our partners are also varied. Everyone listed here has contributed significant elements to the Program:
Kingfisher Trails, Inc. This is a collaborative effort organized by the Kingfisher Chamber of Commerce including representatives from the city Planning & Zoning Board, the Parks and Recreation Committee, the Boy Scouts, the school Parent Teacher Organization, the Kingfisher Development Foundation, Memory Lane, Kingfisher Public Schools, and the Chamber of Commerce. Other members include an accountant, school track coach, and interested citizens.
Kingfisher Trails employed the Active Living Coordinator, responsible for coordinating the program among all the partners.
The
Kingfisher Community Collaborative is a coordinating agency partnered
with: The Oklahoma Council on Children
and Youth, the
The Collaborative hosts meetings where our efforts are coordinated and provides funding for the school nurse. She is directly involved in implementing the educational program in the schools.
The Kingfisher Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber hosts the Trail meetings and all community meetings with the National Park Service. The Chamber is the initiator of the Trail development effort.
The
The
The Kingfisher Development Foundation. This group owns the only industrial park under development in the community and is currently developing a new neighborhood with a tie-in to the Kingfisher Trail. They lead and support economic development efforts within the city as well as leadership training.
Kingfisher Public Schools. As mentioned above, we are implementing an educational program in the schools. Additionally, the Kingfisher Trail will tie in at the three public schools and cross school property. We hope to develop the school track into an all weather community facility. They have allowed use of school facilities (the grounds, kitchens, dressing rooms, and showers) to host 1,300 bicyclists in town for a summer tour, which will serve as a model for further use of school facilities.
The Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA). We are working with FEMA in the implementation of a grant for 2.2 million dollars to convert 97 properties in the floodplain into open space.
The
The Kingfisher Times and Free Press. This county-wide newspaper features articles written by the partners and the Coordinator, highlighting their efforts and the benefits of active living.
The Gilmour Parent Teacher Organization. The PTO is leading, together with Kingfisher Trails, in a “Safe Routes to School” campaign.
Kingfisher Boy Scouts and the Round-up Club. These organizations are to lead in developing a hiking, mountain bike, and equestrian section of trail through the wilder northern quarter of the Kingfisher Trail.
The
City of
The Natural Resources Conservation Commission. (NRCS) The NRCS is assisting in engineering wetlands structures and in linking Kingfisher to other environmental programs and professionals needed for certain projects.
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation. This state agency is providing funding for purchase of right of way for the trails and nature park.
The Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation. This state agency is the primary conduit for Recreational Trails grant funding. Kingfisher Trails has won three grants in three competitions for funding.
The
Local businesses. The support of local business in sponsoring teams in Walk This Weigh and in giving direct financial support to the program cannot be overlooked.
The Audubon Society. Representatives of the Audubon Society have toured our nature areas to help in an assessment of their wildlife habitat. Their response was a resounding affirmation of the potential of Kingfisher as a destination point for people seeking bird watching and wildlife trails in this region.
Key Events
Trails Work Begins
January, 2002 Walking majority of the Kingfisher Creek and Uncle John’ Creek
February, 2002 Interviewed professional landscape architects
March, 2002 Presentation before the City Council, began fund raising
April, 2002 First Community Meeting with the National Park Service
June, 2002 Hosted “Free-wheel” event for bicyclists from across the state
August, 2002 Contracted with CLS for first Master Plan and grant submissions
December, 2002 Tourism Recreational Grant submitted
May, 2003 Two grants received for trail construction
May, 2004 3rd grant received for trail construction
Active Living Collaboration
January 2003 Active Living by Design grant announcement read
March 2003 Kingfisher Collaborative adopts program
August, 2003 Historical Walk downtown
January 2005 Buy out of the flood plain begins
April 2005 Phase one completed for Kingfisher Trail
Resources
Kingfisher Trails has secured over $350,000 in funding for this initiative over the last three years. Over $1 million of further construction is anticipated, directly related to the first phases of the project, with the nature park and other land acquisitions costing much more.
The partners of the Initiative hope to receive longer term funding for the Active Living Coordinator through various avenues, such as income from projects of the Kingfisher Trails or the Rural Health Care Outreach program of the U.S. Health and Human Services Department.
The
City of
Outcomes
Professor Cheryl Ross of the Kramer School of Nursing, Oklahoma City University is leading a study on the impact of the Active Living Initiative on the community. A group of 100 volunteers were taken from the total pool of participants for a five year study of the programs effects. The study included data taken on attitudes and priorities regarding exercise, diet, and leisure time, as well as a mini physical administered by health professionals of the County Health Department. A majority of the study participants were rated “obese” by body fat measures, to the great surprise of many.
The Initiative’s most significant outcome on community health is represented by the 550 participants enrolled in Walk this Weigh. That represents over 10% of the population of the community.
The Initiative also has raised the awareness of health concerns through newspaper articles and publicity. The Chairman of Kingfisher Trails and the Active Living Coordinator were named Oklahoma Public Health Volunteers of the Year by the Oklahoma Public Health Workers Association, further heightening public awareness.
Facilities construction is progressing rapidly, though not as quickly as the Partners first anticipated. The second anniversary of the Walk this Weigh parade will feature the opening of significant new trails facilities. Participation of the County Industrial Authority and the Kingfisher Economic Development officer are just beginning, and represent a wider acceptance of the importance of the program to City planning and development.
Obstacles
Resistance from City Government
There was a great deal of initial resistance by City officials to the Trails construction and the Active Living Initiative. For example, grant proposals were prepared on behalf of the City and in full knowledge of the City officials, then rejected. In December 2002, with a Dec. 31st deadline approaching for grant submissions, the Kingfisher City Council declined to allow submission of grants in their name even though the entire local match was being provided to them, no city funds were being obligated, and local volunteers had raised $10,000 in order to have a professional prepare the documents and master plan. Quickly, Kingfisher Trails incorporated, secured 501(c)3 status, and switched the applications to their own name. Both applications submitted were successful, though another for $220,000 had to be abandoned, since only cities could apply.
Our primary response to local government resistance has been to continue on without them, and to make assurances that the Initiative was not planning to spend city resources.
When a parade was held with 500 people dressed in silly costumes and ready to do a community weigh-in and photograph, the tide seemed to turn as city hall recognized the community support for the program.
Resistance from Local Landowners
Much of the goal of the Active Living Initiative has been to get people outdoors in spaces that were previously privately held, or just not accessible. Naturally, some of the landowners involved were not agreeable to such a plan. Some others, however, realized that such development was in their own self interest, and granted right of way free of charge. The school system participated from the beginning, since the superintendent and the school board agreed with the vision. This positive view of these people allowed construction to begin where there was the least resistance. Meanwhile implementation of the flood plain buyout with a FEMA grant had begun, and opportunities were developing for connecting construction to the nature park areas.
The primary success of the Initiative has been to do our work so well that public opinion was supportive as they saw the program was succeeding. This public opinion has helped greatly in further communication with landowners.
Poor Public Image and Understanding
The
Active Living Initiative is bringing to a rural
Kingfisher Trails hosted community block parties to allow people to express their concerns and to learn more about the Initiative.
The
National Park Service conducted meetings hosted jointly by the
Initiative leaders made presentations to Lions and Rotary clubs, Leadership classes, Chamber of Commerce meetings, and other public forums.
Our landscape architect prepared good graphics on large foam board backers that served well to give accurate information regarding the intentions of the Initiative.
Lack of Funding
The Active Living Initiative has taken hold in Kingfisher during a time when the city government was running a large deficit and was facing cutbacks in all departments. The citizen leaders of the Trails effort promised to build facilities of great expense with no outlay of funds from the city. This meant that grants had to be sought from every available source, and that the local matching funds had to be raised as well. There may be a day ahead when the local government will be willing to expend its own funds for the program so obviously supported by the citizens, but it has not yet come. Meanwhile, we found that the best route to success in funding was to pursue excellence in our planning, and question all the partners about potential funding sources.
We
sought to include elements in our program that included many outside interests,
including history, ecology, education, and sports. For instance, local history became the theme
of our Trail system, and we were named one of the sites where
Though a small town, we found in our history ties to significant people and businesses. William Coleman started the Coleman Company in Kingfisher. Sam Walton (of Wal-Mart fame) was born in Kingfisher. Invitations have been made to these companies to sponsor elements of the Initiative, and in return feature their history and promote their logos and products with the new facilities. The Coleman Company took our invitation, and made a contribution of cash and customized lighting.
Lessons Learned
Many lessons have been learned about doing much with little. Some of those lessons learned follow below.
The Importance of Looking at Needs Beyond Those Local
We have sought ways in which our
local vision might matter to others beyond our
community. We found we might matter to the state
Centennial Commission and the Oklahoma Historical Society by telling history in
a compelling fashion. We found we might
matter to the National Park Service, the national Audubon Society, and FEMA
(the Federal Emergency Management Authority) by looking to provide planning to
a large flood plain area and imagining that something greater might be
accomplished. We matter to the state and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (and
numerous other groups) by looking to protect and expand habitats. We matter to the State Health Department by
giving ourselves to innovative programs that might really change the lifestyles
of a community and make a healthier population.
We matter to the state Tourism Department and Commerce Department
because we are looking to their needs to promote tourism and
economic development in the
state. We matter to the Transportation
Commission
because we are looking to enhance
travel corridors through the area. Similarly,
on the local level we have reached into many varied interests at play in the
community, and invited people to imagine with us how we might work together.
Persistence
It would be hard to overstate the
importance of persistence in any of our success. When the City Council said they wouldn’t go
our way, we looked to go without them.
When local landowners said “no,” we looked for alternatives. Funding takes persistence. Construction takes persistence. Building a small health movement takes
persistence. If one celebrates the small
victories, you can use the victories to support just that much more
effort. One must believe in the goal, or
the journey may be too far for some.
Money follows vision...always...and one’s vision should be willing to look at the long term. Kingfisher’s Active Living Initiative has already outlasted four administrations in local government. Negative circumstances can change over time, and leaders should look to take every step forward like a general waging a campaign. One takes ground as you can, and hopes not to lose ground once gained. To the core, many interested parties will want to plan around long term vision. We went to the Planning and Zoning Commission and became incorporated in a 20 year plan. We began a five year health study that now will be at least six or seven years long.
We believe in the concepts
introduced in the “Active Living by Design” competition of the Robert Woods
Johnson Foundation, meaning that communities become healthier by designing the
community, the whole human environment to promote more active lifestyles. That is almost by definition “long term”.
Seeking Partners
As is clear above, Kingfisher’s
Active Living Initiative has many partners, most of which were recommended to
us by others. We have asked, in various
discussions, who might be able to bring other resources to our project, and we
have found many recommendations to follow up.
Our landscape architect knew some contacts. The local agriculture conservation people
knew a wealth of other contacts. Our
Chamber of Commerce manager knew many others.
Just people we’ve met on the street have suggested some good
possibilities. Our board of directors is
drawn from a wide variety of disciplines, each with a different window on
various possibilities. Most importantly,
there are many people whose job involves putting people in contact with
networked resources. Our contact at the
National Park Service is an example of such, as is the one with the Natural
Resources Conservation Service.
The Rewards of Networking
We have met many people in many
fields, and we find with some regularity that those people can be helpful or
just friendly in many other places.
Doors have been opened because people have noticed our work before we met
them. Those we have met seemed to take
particular notice of publicity that follows.
All of it works together in a general, yet positive way.
Enhancements and Modifications
The Kingfisher Active Living Initiative is very much a work in progress. We have been engaged in a creative process that modifies according to the opportunities presented. Many such modifications have been noted above, including trail route changes, funding mechanism changes, and organizational changes. The most prominent change in the vision has been its expansion from an effort to provide facilities to a more comprehensive environmental change.
At times we have had to pull in our focus to specific construction projects, but the more comprehensive vision is the more compelling.
Contact
Name: John Gooden
Title: Chairman
Organization: Kingfisher Trails, Inc.
Address:
418 N.
Phone: (405) 375-3432
FAX: (405) 375-5623
E-mail: goodenspecialty@juno.com