Syracuse Establishes 17 One-Mile Routes to Encourage Mile Monday

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The Monday Mile began in the city of Syracuse (4.6% Latino) and Onondaga County, in 2012, with the Monday Campaigns Move It Monday campaign to encourage more physical activity on Mondays-because research suggests that exercising on Monday can encourage more exercise through the rest of the week.

Through the Lerner Centers for Public Health Promotion, the Healthy Monday Syracuse team worked with the offices of the mayor and county executives, city and county parks, SUNY Upstate, and Syracuse University to establish way finding signs along ten 1-mile routes across the city and county.

Walking has numerous health benefits; however, many Latino’s don’t have access to safe places to be physically active. Therefore, establishing safe routes for resident’s to walk while including way finding and motivational signage could have a positive impact on Latino’s physical activity levels and long-term health outcomes.

“By creating literal stakes in the ground, we are creating an environment that supports movement and being active,” Dr. Tom Dennison, Director of the Lerner Center and key advocate for the Monday Mile said.

According to the Monday Mile Starter Kit, due to the success of the geographic diversity of the routes and the broad coalition of city and county officials, university staff, hospital administrators, and the business community, the program has expanded to 17 Monday Mile routes across the city with multiple complimentary initiatives:

• Syracuse Mayor and Onondaga County Executive issued a joint proclamation declaring Monday September 10th, 2012, Move it Monday Day.
• Walktober’ is a month-long walking initiative in October encouraging teams and individuals to stay active by walking the Monday Mile.
• Spring and Summer programs host guest speakers and coaches to talk about mindful walking, correct posture, and breathing techniques on Monday Mile routes
• In 2014, a new route was introduced that bridged Upstate Hospital and Van Duyn Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing.
• St Joseph’s Hospital Health Center started a Monday Mile walking club at as part of their employee wellness program.
• The Syracuse Healthy Start program, which focuses on supporting healthy moms and babies and encouraging families to be active together, utilizes the Monday Monday as part of their wellness programming.
• Monday Miles Parks Passport Summer Challenge program to help people track miles and win prizes.
• Syracuse University’s Connective Corridor sponsored a ‘Green Streets, Local Eats’ event with four simultaneous Monday Mile walks.

Learn more about Monday Mile here.

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