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<br />City of Arden Hills - Comprehensive Plan - DRAFT <br /> <br /> <br />4. ACTIVE LIVING <br /> <br />Goal: Enhance the health, safety, and well-being of all who live, work, and visit the <br />City. <br /> <br />In 2005, the City received a grant from Biue 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 natural and built <br />environment that encourages more physical activity and, subsequently, leads to an <br />increase in overall public health. There is no single solution to increasing physical <br />activity or public health, and the City does not seek to change personal choices. <br />However, the City can work to remove obstacles to physical activity and increase <br />opportunities for healthy living choices. <br /> <br />4.1 Active Living Principles <br /> <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 recreational facilities. <br /> <br />In committing to promote and increase physical activity, the following principles <br />serve as a guide to advancing the active living movement: <br /> <br />1. Physical activity is a behavior that can favorably improve health and quality <br />of life. <br /> <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 /> <br />3. The City and new developments should be designed to provide a variety of <br />opportunities for physical activity and should accommodate a wide range of <br />individual preferences and abilities. <br /> <br />4. Development patterns should encourage mixed uses and compact design <br />where appropriate as well as a variety of transportation choices. <br /> <br />DRAFT <br />4/18/2008 <br /> <br />t7 <br />