Presented by Meg Parker Public Health Outreach Coordinator Essex County Public Health Creating Healthy Places (grant funded program from New York State Department of Health)
Three learning objectives List strategies impacting population change in rural communities Assess readiness as evidenced by project value Identify key components for project sustainability
Total Population 39,370 Township sizes range 240 8,957 12.2% at poverty level
Creating better access to Physical Activity
Between a school and a town School property not near school 1 formal policy Many Informal agreements Between schools and communities
County 10 Townships have policies 2 townships have language adopted 1 Village 7 crosswalks and sidewalk extensions 4 in road pedestrian signs 12 speed radar signs 20 Shared the roadway signs Bike racks
1 active living strategy plan 5 Street Assessments and 3 in the works 5 comprehensive plans mentioning complete streets and some identifying recreational areas 5 designs street and community concepts Expanded shoulders Maintenance budget & plans Crosswalks and meeting ADA standards New sidewalks Road diets
5 New Parks & Playgrounds 37 Park & Playground Enhancements Street banners Basketball, tennis, paddling, pickleball, skatboard, ice skating, volleyball equipment Swings Trash containers Fencing Informational boards and signs Doggy receptacles Climbing features Picnic Tables Court surfacing and paint for courts Entry signs Safety material for falling zones Outdoor grills Benches
Trailhead signs Sign in booths Interpretive signs Trail markers Increasing maintenance Bridging ADA surfacing Kiosks Benches Trail maps 1 Trail system est. 6 miles 27 Trails and trail system enhancements 8 New trails Fitness trail 2 Nature/hiking trails Walking and biking historical trail Water trail 3 Play trails
Creating better access to Nutrition
21 Food Pantries 2 are receiving local processed foods 14 Serving local produce Farmers Community Gardens
16 Community Gardens 4 School Gardens 2 Institution Garden 9 New Gardens 1 Container Garden 7 Garden expansions Adding elevated & raised beds Connecting gardens to restaurants & stores Connecting Master Gardeners Developing composting systems Assisting in relocating Providing Accessible tools
2 Kitchens 2 Educational Kitchen Open to the community upon request
2 Processing facilities 5 farmers connected 2 food pantries connected 1 Processing group
Technical support Local food guide Farm roadside signs Connecting to stores Banners 53 Farmers 11 Farmers accepting FMNP 2 Farmers accepting WIC F V 2 Farmers accepting EBT
3 Farmers Markets expansions Roadside signs Adding more low income services Connecting youth Adding more farmers and vendors Adding events, programs and activities Banners Technical support
4 Stores changed to offer better choices Adding produce racks in other departments Changing appearance of check out aisle Store front signs Offering produce 9 Offering local farm products Adding a rack Signs Encouraging the relationship Food Guide promotion
100% Every Township has a playground, park area, and a trail 83% have the opportunity to grow their own vegetables and fruits 38% of being served at food pantries have access to fresh produce or processed local farm foods Impact 66% of Essex County residents are supported through their township to safely walk or bike 50% have better access to fresh local farm foods at farmers markets and local stores
Successful projects See video
Game - On Pre- Game Quarter back, Pig skin, up right, off sides, safety, Practice and Plan Tackle, 1 st down, 2 nd down, 3 rd down, 4 th down, penalties Game Action Touch Down, Victory dance End of Game - Results
Key components to mobilize communities Targeting a community Getting to know the community (inside and out) - know the issues (safety, poverty, access, behavioral influences, jobs, etc) - know their leadership (elected, appointed, sport leaders/coaches, organizational leaders, business leaders, etc) - community s accomplishments and current projects in the works Networking - finding interested parties Pitching your intention and reasons why - facts obesity numbers, predicted life span, other chronic diseases, etc Making a personal connection, building trust and relationships, involving their community
Key components continue Invite more people to get involved Who s not here? Completing a community project readiness questionnaire Explain the process assessments, desires, steps to get there, action plan, follow through, and maintenance plan Create an SMART action plan Follow up with action plan Making sure communication is open and clear Create a sustainable plan
Community Project Readiness Check Concept/Element to consider Comments Community meets target population (#, poverty, need) -Population size -Poverty % -Need Community is limited in leveraging resources Community has assets (infrastructure, green and recreational spaces, school, garden, businesses, etc) Community has champions and who Active community organizations and in what area Aligned groups and partners with ideas Community pride what makes them proud What do people like about the community? Have we worked with this community? In what ways? Elected officials support idea Attitudes, willingness, motivation, and interested (what factors will enable or inhibit the work?) Conditions and resources in place (Space available, what policy supports it or what needs to happen or is already in place for change) Clear vision and objective for change Communication is open and clear what is needed
Sharon O Connor thanked the board for work on a recent project. Hats off to everyone involved in the Linney Field playground project, O Connor said. It really looks good.
Sustainability Identifying what needs to happen Create an action plan utilizing SMART goals Have understanding of what processes are needed to support the action plan Communicate plan Follow up
Questions?
Thank You Presented by Meg Parker mparker@co.essex.ny.us 518-873-3857 Public Health Outreach Coordinator Essex County Public Health Creating Healthy Places