Linking Walkable Communities in
The
mission of the Walkable Communities Team addresses environmental and policy
changes which support individual behavioral choice to increase physical
activity. The scope encompasses the geography
of
In
2002, a policy change was implemented to use a portion of the tax base to fund
recreation grants to increase physical activity in communities. This policy change is working to reorient
citizenry and policy makers at the local, county, and state level to encourage
physical activity programs to coincide with economic and community development.
A portion of the Hotel/Motel tax in
An
environmental change began in 2001 to educate the citizenry about the benefits
of increasing physical activity as well as developing recreational opportunities
and continues to this day. The environmental
change occurred at the municipal level with a walking trail, baseball field and
basketball courts, and a physical fitness station at
Policy/Environmental Change Initiation
In
March 2001 at the County Court House, the final document of the Greenbrier
County Needs Assessment was presented to the public. This study identified a critical need to
promote increasing physical activity to combat obesity and the related
debilitating chronic diseases such as Type II diabetes, heart disease,
hypertension, stroke, and asthma.
Accessibility and cost were identified as the major barriers to participating
in physical activity programs. A grassroots community organizational effort
embraced the need to increase physical activity for all
Public Health Agency Roles
The
Greenbrier County Health Department was the primary instrument in the funding
for the Greenbrier County Needs Assessment in 2001. The Health Department also
served on the planning committee for the completion of the survey tool to
complete the Needs Assessment. Additionally they participated in the public
meetings to explain the project and its importance. Once the product was
completed, they Health Department assisted with the distribution of the final
report as ensured the
Major Partners
In
addition to the partnership of the Greenbrier County Health Department, other
major partners included: West Virginia
School of Osteopathic Medicine, the Rainelle Medical Center, the Northern
Greenbrier Health Clinic, the Robert Byrd Clinic, the Greenbrier Valley Medical
Center, Greenbrier County Family Resource Network, Greenbrier County School
Board, West Virginia Division of Highways, Mayors of Lewisburg, Ronceverte,
White Sulphur Springs, Alderson, Rainelle, Renick and Rupert, WVU Extension
Services, WV State Fair, Greenbrier County YMCA, Partners in Corporate Health, and
The New River Community and Technical College Greenbrier Campus.
Official Support
Our
efforts involved as many public officials as possible to ensure county-wide
involvement. The Greenbrier County Commission, eight community mayors, our two
state delegates and state senator, and our Congressman are all involved with
our programs and efforts. Our representatives are very helpful in getting our
programs and our communities funding support to create the recreation venues to
make the program a success.
Results from the Policy/Environmental Change
Tracking
is accomplished in several ways. As each community works on their individual
physical activity program, reports are required for reimbursement of
funds. In addition, the school programs
are carefully monitored by a physical activity and nutrition coordinator. The
Greenbrier County Council on Physical Activity and Nutrition meets monthly to
discuss the progress of various projects or programs to ensure a coordinated
effort is maintained. Organizations such
as the
Physical
Change: The county has seen the construction of several physical activity
recreation venues. These include a half mile paved walking area, major/minor
league baseball field, basketball courts in Williamsburg, WV, a $348,000
municipal swimming pool funded in Rainelle, WV, a quarter mile track and half
mile paved walking trail and a three mile rail trail being constructed in
Ronceverte, WV. Lewisburg is now planning for a seven mile Pedestrian
Recreation Corridor that will link their historic district with the main
business district. The schools have been involved with changing the nutrition
and physical education requirements for the schools. Our governor just this
week passed a law banning sodas in schools during school hours.
Environmental
Changes: The
Lessons Learned
One
of the most important lessons learned in these efforts was the importance of
getting key policy and decision makers brought into the importance of physical
activity through planning and financing. Using a tax base such as the Hotel/Motel
Tax (H/M) can directly impact environmental changes that promote physical
activity.
Another
lesson was in the importance of the interconnectivity of Communities toward
working together to promote our programs while utilizing the limited resources
available within each community toward promoting healthy lifestyles.
There
is also a need for individual commitment and the need for broad base community
support in making each project a success.
Submitted By
Douglas G. Hylton
Community Development
Consultant
Greenbrier County Council on
Physical Activity and Nutrition
(304) 645-2824
(304) 647-5473 FAX