Local Leadership for Healthy Communities in Kentucky
The following is a sampling of local initiatives in Kentucky that are related to active living. This list is not meant to be comprehensive or definitive, and we welcome your suggestions of any additions to the list. Please direct any comments or suggestions to Eric Feldman (ICMA) at efeldman@icma.org or 202.962.3699. We will make available an expanded list of local initiatives once we receive your input.
BOWLING GREEN AND WARREN COUNTY
Community Walking Program – The Medical Center,
Bowling Green
www.mcbg.org/CWP/
The Medical Center initiated a Community Walking Program to improve the cardiovascular health of all residents in South Central Kentucky. The program provides registered participants with a card to log the miles each participant walks. When completed, the mileage log cards can be turned in for quarterly prize drawings. The Medical Center's Community Walking Program commends and supports the Greenways Commission of Bowling Green and Warren County, which is building walking and biking trails throughout Warren County.
Downtown Revitalization Master Plan
The plan includes components of Greenbelt planning. The City will be recreating "Circus Square," an original green space in the area, as well as a "heritage walkway" that will eventually link the campus of Western Kentucky University to the River Walk Park through the heart of downtown. As part of these efforts, the City will emphasize high-density residential redevelopment. The city's two largest employers, Western Kentucky University and the Medical Center at Bowling Green, will anchor the downtown. The City hopes to create an exciting community in the urban core that will be "the" place to live, work and play.
Greenbelt System Master Plan for Bowling Green and Warren County
www.warrenpc.org/greenways.htm
The Master Plan was developed with the input of many interested groups and individuals through a series of planning workshops and public meetings in 1998. It was officially adopted by the Bowling Green City Commission and the Warren County Fiscal Court in 1999. Specific segments of the plan include a Greenbelt Inner Loop, a Greenbelt Outer Loop and a Downtown Bowling Green Greenbelt. The Greenways Commission of Bowling Green and Warren County was created in 2001 by joint action of the City and County governments. The Greenways Commission Board, which consists of twelve voting members and three nonvoting members, meets monthly to establish priorities, develop cost estimates, solicit public input, and recommend detailed master plans for each of the specific phases of the Greenbelt System Master Plan.
River Walk Park and Greenbelt System (Bowling Green)
The Riverwalk Park is viewed as "the birthplace of the area's Greenbelt system." The state's
recent widening of Cemetery Road (KY 234) and KY 880 allowed for
the construction of a shared-use path alongside the roadway. The City of
Bowling Green is working to connect paths with River Walk Park, Keriakes
Park, Covington Woods Park and Lovers Lane Soccer Complex, all of which provide
active venues for the community.
When these projects are completed, the city will have a four-mile trail originating in
downtown Bowling Green and connecting four parks, two elementary schools, a hospital and
a shopping center.
Warren County Council on Physical Activity
The Warren County Council on Physical Activity (WCCPA) is a community initiative that has been in existence since 1997. The group was formed by a community health team at the Warren County Health Department to address heart disease, which is the #1 killer of Warren County residents. The WCCPA consists of a variety of agencies and individuals in Bowling Green and Warren County, KY. Since 1997, the group has maintained three projects: a Family Fitness Fun Day, a Physical Activity Resource Guide for Warren County and The Workplace Wellness Program for business and industry. The WCPPA also supports other local initiatives, such as The Greenways Commission.
Contact:
The Warren County Council on Physical Activity
PO Box 1157
1109 State St.
Bowling Green, KY 42102
(270) 781-2490 ext. 215
DANVILLE
Heart of Danville Main Street Program
www.danville-ky.com/BoyleCounty/heartof1.htmThe Heart of Danville Main Street Program is a community-driven economic development
program that concentrates in the areas of organization, promotion, historic preservation,
and economic restructuring. The program received a Great American Main Streets Award from
the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 2001. Through the East Main Revitalization
Initiative, the program is completing $500,000 in streetscape improvements, including new
sidewalks, underground utilities, widening Main Street, installing new light fixtures and
street furniture. The Heart of Danville also collaborated with the Community Development
Council, the Boyle County Industrial Foundation and the City of Danville to keep a post
office downtown at a new facility on East Main Street. The post office now serves as a
major anchor and will attract new businesses to the area.
Contact:
(859) 236-1909
heartdan@bellsouth.net
LEXINGTON-FAYETTE COUNTY
Lexington-Fayette County Greenway Master Plan
www.lfucg.com/Greenways/MasterPlan.asp
The plan was adopted in June of 2002 as part of the Comprehensive Plan. It
calls for a countywide system of trails and conservation greenways that include
off-road and on-road facilities. One of the goals of creating the system is
to provide an opportunity for a fit and healthy lifestyle.
Contact:
Cindy Deitz, LFUCG Greenspace Planner
cdeitz@lfucg.com
Fitness is Fun! Physical Activity Program
www.lexingtonhealthdepartment.org
The
Physical Activity Program is designed to get Lexington residents up and moving.
A health educator coordinates exercise programs and is available to speak
to and consult with work sites, schools, church groups and other community
groups about physical fitness. The County also participates in the annual Walk
Our Children to School Day during the first week of October. This event is
designed to encourage exercise, family togetherness and "walkable communities." Parents
are encouraged to walk to school with their elementary school aged children
and are greeted with a healthy breakfast when they arrive.
Contact:
Camille Watson-Powell
(859) 288-2332
CamilleA.Powell@mail.state.ky.us
Town Branch Trail Project
www.townbranch.org
The Town Branch Trail is a proposed greenway and trail, or linear park, that will begin
in downtown Lexington, following the Town Branch Creek (where possible) as it flows west.
The Town Branch Trail will link downtown to a variety of recreational, historic and
environmental resources; provide alternate transportation routes from neighborhoods
to downtown; and improve the habitat and water quality of this historic stream, along
the banks of which the city of Lexington was founded.
Contact:
Van Meter Pettit, President and Treasurer
Town Branch Trail, Inc. (TBT)
155 Constitution Street
Lexington, KY 40507
LOUISVILLE
Fit Louisville
www.fitlouisville.comThe mission
of FitLouisville is to build public support for personal fitness. The organization
is launching a targeted agenda to improve the public's health,
get at least 65% of the Louisville population moving on a regular basis
and raise awareness about the importance of a sensible diet.
Contact:
Dr. David Allen, President
fitlouis@fitlouisville.com
Louisville Metro Bicycle and Pedestrian Program
www.loukymetro.org/Department/PlanDesign/bikeped.aspThe program goals include: promoting bicycling and walking to improve the health and
livability of the community; using education, enforcement, and engineering to increase
the safety associated with bicycling and walking; and integrating bicycling and walking
into the transportation system. The program identifies a number of benefits of regular
bicycling and walking, including: improved health for the walkers and cyclists; improved
air quality for the community; significantly reduced travel costs; increased productivity
and fewer injuries at work; and a more livable community.
Contact:
Sheila Andersen
Louisville Metro Planning and Design Services
(502) 574-5157
sheila.andersen@loukymetro.org
Partners for a Healthy Louisville
www.healthylouisville.orgFormed in 1996 as a merger of 4 local health organizations, Partners for a Healthy Louisville
seeks to improve the health status of the Louisville community by identifying and formulating
a community-wide health agenda, by fostering community awareness, and by promoting collaborative
initiatives. Its mission includes the following goals: to serve as a forum for the discussion
of the community's health needs, setting community health goals and developing a health agenda
for adults, youth and mature adults; to serve as an assessor of gaps in the community's health
delivery and prevention system; to serve as a catalyst for developing the community's ability
to be healthy, including developing resources necessary to initiate needed programs; to serve
as an advocate for those in the community who suffer from poor health or who are unable to
access health services; and to serve as a focus to educate key stakeholders and the general
public on the elements necessary to develop a healthy community and the role of PHL in reaching
that goal.
Contact:
Rebecca Thomas Ford, Executive Director
(502) 899-1018
information@healthylouisville.com
Transit Authority of River City – Bikes-On-Board Program
www.ridetarc.org/RiderInformation/bikesOnBoard.htmThe
Transit Authority of River City (TARC) launched its Bikes-on-Board program
in 1999. Most of TARC's buses are equipped with bicycle racks that can carry
two bicycles. A symbol on bus schedules indicates routes and times
where bicycle racks will be available.Transit Authority of River
City – Smart Commute Initiative
www.ridetarc.org/SmartCommute.htmThe Smart Commute Initiative is a partnership between TARC and Louisville Metro Housing.
Smart Commute is designed to promote homeownership in neighborhoods near public transit in the
Louisville - Jefferson County Metro Area. Its purpose is to promote Smart Growth principals by
linking housing choice to public transit. The program recognizes the transportation savings
that home buyers can achieve by purchasing such properties.
OWENSBORO
Adkisson Greenbelt Park
www.owensboro.org/greenbelt
The Adkisson Greenbelt Park is a partnership between local, state and federal governments,
business, non-profit organizations and landowners. The 15-mile linear park, which started as a
dream of Mayor David Adkisson to create a greenbelt around the perimeter of the city for
recreation and as a safe pedestrian and bicycle route, became a reality thanks to funds
tied to the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA). The
Kentucky Department of Transportation is building additional segments of the trail
system in conjunction with new road projects.
Contact:
Sue Fowler, City of Owensboro
(270) 687-8707
FOWLERCS@owensboro.org
"Make the Wellness Commitment" ProgramThe City Owensboro made a commitment to promote wellness and active living among its employees by offering this voluntary wellness incentive program. The program not only promotes wellness, but also provides an opportunity for participating employees to benefit monetarily through reductions in pre-tax insurance premiums. The awards vary depending on the number of "Wellness Goals" (these include: aerobic fitness, blood pressure, total cholesterol, resting heart rate and smoking status) the employee is able to meet.
PADUCAH – MCCRACKEN COUNTY
Comprehensive Parks & Recreation Master PlanThe Master Plan constitutes the first comprehensive look at both City and County parks and recreation opportunities that has been undertaken. The plan identifies the parks and recreation needs throughout the City and County as well as strategies that could be implemented to provide services consistent with the desired quality of life and existing resources in the area. The Paducah City Commission provided funding for the Master Plan, while the state is providing matching funds to initiate green connectors between major parks. Groundbreaking was set to begin in the spring of 2003.
Contact:
Mark H. Thompson, Director
Paducah Parks Services
(270) 444-8508
