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of Arden Hills - Comprehensive Plan - DRAFr <br />4. ACTIVE LIVING <br />Goal. Enhance the health, safety, and well-being of a// residents, workers, and <br />visitors. <br />In 2005, the City received a grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota to <br />incorporate active living principles into the City's into the Comprehensive Plan. The <br />purpose of the grant was to encourage cities to create a built environment that <br />encourages more physical activity to increase overall public health. There is no <br />single solution to increasing physical activity or public health, and the City does not <br />seek to change personal choices. However, the City can work to remove obstacles <br />to physical activity and increase opportunities for healthy living choices. <br />4.1 Active Living Principles <br />Active living is a way of life that integrates physical activity into daily routines. <br />Removing obstacles in the built environment and encouraging a built <br />environment that promotes physical activity can be achieved through the <br />planning process. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota's goal is to accumulate <br />at least 30 minutes of activity for each person each day. Individuals may achieve <br />this by walking or bicycling for transportation, exercise or pleasure; playing in <br />the park; working in the yard; taking the stairs; and using recreation facilities. <br />In committing to promote and increase physical activity, the following principles <br />serve as a guide to advancing the active living movement: <br />1. Physical activity is a behavior that can favorably improve health and quality <br />of life. <br />2. Everyone, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, language, ethnicity, <br />economic status or ability, should have safe, convenient and affordable <br />choices for physical activity. <br />3. Places should be designed to provide a variety of opportunities for physical <br />activity and should accommodate a wide range of individual preferences and <br />abilities. <br />4. Development patterns should encourage mixed uses and compact design <br />where appropriate as well as a variety of transportation choices. <br />5. Buildings should be designed and oriented to promote opportunities for <br />active living, especially non -motorized transportation. <br />DRAFT ]4 <br />2/22/2008 <br />