Citizens in Miami are ready for more open spaces according to an op-ed piece from the Miami Herald, written by Ken Bryan, Florida's state director of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. In this article, Bryan speaks about the rise of active transportation, especially biking, occurring in Miami. Despite this shift in transportation modes, and the increase of recreational activities in downtown Miami, Bryan reports that traffic congestion has gotten worse. With new transportation initiatives underway like All Aboard Florida (AAF)---a high speed passenger rail way service that will connect South and Central Florida---Bryan claims that enhanced connectivity through the development of hike and bike trails is important. He said: "the city should seize the opportunity to create more ...
Great news for Latinos in Washington County! The County has set aside funds specifically for engaging Latinos in conversations about the development of two local initiatives, including the Council Creek Regional Trail and the Climate Smart Communities (CSC) Project. According to a news story from the Hillsboro Tribune, the county's planners and local governing body are developing plans for a 15-mile trail which will connect four cities: Cornelius, Forest Grove, Banks and Hillsboro. A total of $8,500 will be put towards translators and developing culturally relevant,bilingual materials to be handed out to Latinos during community events and open houses.The two non-profits which will be working with Latinos are Adelante Mujeres and the Centro Cultural in Cornelius. Because the ...
The mostly Latino southern area of Santa Ana, Calif., had limited places to be active—and not a single park. Desperate for more active spaces to give them more chances to get fit and avoid disease and obesity, residents pushed for and received a new park, Corazones Verdes Park. While park construction remained underway, members of Latino Health Access sought alternative active spaces. That’s when they came up with the idea of creating a Wellness Corridor through downtown Santa Ana. Now partners from across the city are discussing ways to make the community more walkable, and residents of all ages are learning to effectively voice the need for healthy options.
EMERGENCE
Awareness: America Bracho, a Venezuelan-born physician and public health advocate for the Latino community of south ...
The new Trail Link App, created by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy allows you to locate walking and biking trails throughout the nation. Just enter a city, state, zip code and find the nearest trails near you! You can also add new trails, upload photos, and create a new map with the app. Download the free Trail Link App to get started. ...
Organizing a Walk-to-School day can be one great way of keeping kids healthy and active. It can also serve to improve neighborhood safety, and capture the attention of parents, local school officials, and policymakers. According to a success story from the California Endowment, Latino children in Santa Ana organized a successful walk-to-school day event in 2007. Before the event, students conducted a walking audit of their neighborhood streets to identify sidewalks and intersections that needed improvements. Then students and teachers presented pictures of the areas that needed repairs to the police department and school board before Walk-to-School day. Organizers say that by taking something negative and turning it into a positive, like Walk-to-School day, they were able to ...
Organizing a Walk-to-School day can be one great way of keeping kids healthy and active. It can also serve to improve neighborhood safety, and capture the attention of parents, local school officials, and policymakers. According to a success story from the California Endowment, Latino children in Santa Ana organized a successful walk-to-school day event in 2007. Before the event, students conducted a walking audit of their neighborhood streets to identify sidewalks and intersections that needed improvements. Then students and teachers presented pictures of the areas that needed repairs to the police department and school board before Walk-to-School day. Organizers say that by taking something negative and turning it into a positive, like Walk-to-School day, they were able to ...
Learn more about the latest trends in walking and biking to school. According to this 2013 report produced by the National Center for Safe Routes to School, more kids are walking to school across the country. The report found that the percentage of kids both walking to and from school increased between 2007-2012. This perhaps is due to the rise in Safe Routes to School programs across the country. To learn more about this growing trend, access the October 2013 report here. ...
Alliance for a Healthier Generation provides a guide for healthy fundraisers, giving these 10 examples of how to replace food sale fundraisers with healthy alternatives; Crestview Elementary in Carlisle, PA held a fundraising campaign called Promotion Motion. Students obtained sponsors and then participated in various challenges each week such as TV Free Week, No Fast Food Week and a Family Fitness Challenge. Teachers and parents participated and there was a tremendous response from local businesses. They raised $31,322 in six weeks of healthy activities!
High Bridge Elementary School in Prince George’s County, MD raised $3000 during a 30 minute “Fun Run.” Students asked for donations per lap and ran as many as they could in 30 minutes. The funds were to be used for a new ...
If you’ve ever dreamed of making a difference in your community (or if you’re a kid who doesn’t mind getting a little dirty), then you’ll want to hear about the amazing mud run program, Mile Strong Kids by Fred Bailon and John Soto.
Bailon and Soto, two elementary-school teachers in the majority Latino city of San Antonio, Texas, organized a one-day mud run to start “standing up to obesity.” The event was so surprisingly successful that it led to the formation of a running club and non-profit group to organize mud runs all over town.
Obesity Spurs Big Idea
Fred Bailon and John Soto are teachers at W.Z. “Doc” Burke Elementary School in San Antonio, Texas. About 87% of Burke students are Latino and 82.3% of the school’s population is economically disadvantaged, ...
