2006-03-28_PWETC_AgendaPacket - Laserfiche WebLink

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Active Living Ramsey County! Active Living is about inspiring behavioral change and creating opportunities for physical activities that are practical and enjoyable. "Active Living" initiatives around the United States create and promote environments that make it safe and convenient for people to be more physically active. In many communities, it is difficult to walk or bike to school, work and other important destinations. Active Living initiatives bring about and sustain changes in design, transportation and public/private policies to cultivate and support a way oflife that integrates physical activity into daily routines. Active Living initiatives are springing up around the state and country to improve individual and conununity health status. In Ramsey County, the Ramsey County Active Living! initiative is fast developing with the support of elected officials, community and business leaders, health plans, school officials, and residents of all walks of life. Active Living refers to changing the built environment to inspire behavioral change, and create oppOltunities for physical activity that are practical and enjoyable. Through the Active Living Ramsey County! design process, partnerships, programs, policies and physical projects will be considered. The premise of the Active Living approach is to view walking and bicycling for transportation or pleasure, to encourage playing in the park, taking the stair and using recreational facilities, all in an effort to help people meet the Surgeon General's recommendation of 30 minutes of moderately intense physical activity at least five times a week. This is good for people, for the community, the state and our nation. Benefits of a successful Active Living initiative include: healthier people, safer communities, economic vitality and a more connected community. Successful initiatives bring the community together to mobilize resources and expertise towards a common vision. National Center for Bicycling and Walking The National Center for Bicycling & Walking (NCBW) is the major program of the Bicycle Federation of America, Inc. a national, nonprofit [501(c)(3)] corporation established in 1977. Our mission is to create bicycle-friendly and walkable communities. The NCBW is governed by a volunteer board of directors and operates from offices located in Bethesda, MD (headquarters); Chestertown, MD; Maplewood, NJ; Missoula, MT; and Corbett, OR. The NCBW is not a membership organization; our revenue comes from grants, contracts, and consulting fees. In 200 I, the NCBW was awarded a multi-year grant from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) to provide information and resources to communities and professionals working to create more activity-friendly communities. This program is referred to as the Active Living Resource Center, or ALRC for short. The grant is part of RWJF's efforts to provide improved opportunities for Americans to be physically active on a daily basis in the communities where they live and work. It is the largest grant ever awarded to the National Center for Bicycling & Walking. NCBW works with local, state, and national bicycle, pedestrian, and transportation advocates to bring about changes in government policies, programs, and procedures to help create more bicycle friendly and walkable communities. Walkable Communities Workshops The Walkable Communities Workshops concentrate on identifYing real-world concerns and hands-on solutions for each community. During a four-hour workshop, trainers deliver a presentation on the elements of a walkable community and solutions to common issues. Stafffrom the National Center on Bicycling and Walking will then lead participants on an interpretive walking tour (sometimes called a "walkabout" or "ped audit") of county Road B-2 between Rice Street and Lexington A venue. Trainers work with workshop participants to help them view areas in the community from the rerspective of a pedestrian. Mr. Mark Plotz and Dr. Bob Chauncey from the National Center for Bicycling and walking will be facilitating the Walkable Communities Workshop in Roseville as well as seven other workshops in Ramsey County (St. Paul-3, Lauderdale, Mounds View, New Brighton, and St. Anthony).