Notes from Interactive Session on Improving Physical Environment for Health

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Kristin Singleton
5 years ago
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1 Schools: What community infrastructure improvements would you most like to see in our area to support health? More bike paths Sidewalks in all directions radiating from schools, walk if within a mile of the school Funding support Curb or other barriers from the street Agreement with nearby properties: parking lots or walking school bus from those locations Safe walking/running path on campus to be supervised by staff before/after school In-school fitness programs Stand-up desks Traffic schools, including school zone speeding cameras Health clinics close by or in schools full time nurses in schools Friendly hours: later starting times earlier elementary, later for high school Joint use agreements--schools are often closer to where people live that parks Improve traffic circulation Increase drink stations/water at schools Recess before lunch Trail or other creative barriers between where safe to walk Health fairs/bike rodeos Prioritize low socioeconomic areas first Rethink homework/free time balance Integrate outdoors into school day learning activities move to a local park if not nearby Community/School Gardens Review PE exemption policy Involve seniors/intergenerational opportunities Make sure we consider school as pre-school through 12 th grade (not just k-12)

2 Schools: What opportunities are there for you and your constituencies to get involved and support these improvements? Volunteer Make clear how we can help with specific strategies, more info about options Olympia: Professionals help organize what to do and how to organize advocacy Parent organization to know how to approach getting involved Break into clear steps/time needed to accomplish improvements Leverage PTAs Engage school district itself including school boards Vote!! Engage master gardeners Engage KIDS for ideas Require parents to sit on wellness committee Engage nurse association Partner with local walking/biking organization that already exists in the community Develop equity plans for schools to help prioritize needs Develop community based champions speak to parent groups regarding the things they do Transportation: What community infrastructure improvements would you most like to see in our area to support health? Safe bike/pedestrian infrastructure Safety around transit centers Urban street pedestrian network: well-marked, natural, curbs in high-impact areas Better lighting Transit Integration- one system rather than many different ones (ex. Everett Transit, CT, King County Agencies) Covered/well-lit bus stops Lots of feeder lines smaller buses connecting to major transit lines Integration/connection of and to bike paths Travel shed mapping to attract employees and keep them in the area

3 Ride Sharing Tools (mobile) Design for traffic calming No smoking- enforce the policy at transit stops Sidewalks/access improvements to major transit likes More parking Ride sourcing (carpool, Lyft, Uber) Analyzing low-income areas to ensure accessibility/service Large employers provide bikes for employees Multi-modal node place information posted (major connection areas have easy-to-understand information on how to get to other places) Educate people: re commuting by bike on buses Partner with arts programs on transit centers and transit spaces Transportation: What opportunities are there for you and your constituencies to get involved and support these improvements? Involve Senior Centers Coalition through schools/employers Community Colleges Employer incentives Organization planning for all organizations - include transit information on maps, think about transit schedule when planning programs Make public comment at meetings Share the message w/friends Fairs/events to get the word out Provide info on how to get involved/participate Contact reps say thank you! Go to schools Use tracking apps to give info on where to walk and bike Tell the story ex. on bicycling

4 Parks, Recreation & Open Space: What community infrastructure improvements would you most like to see in our area to support health? Trail corridor, comprehensive and connected Get rid of leaf blowers to clean parks Develop skate parks spots (mini sized) Evaluate playgrounds (make sure they are fun) Adequate parking Traffic garden to learn about bike and pedestrian safety Bike education offered by Parks department Incentivize business to make better use of parks by employers Bike repair stations More walking trails perimeter trails in parks for different mobilities Fitness Zones (exercise) for adults Remove invasive material Run with pet (pet friendly opportunities) More interesting spaces to walk Bike storage at parks Diverse types to fit family biking Bike rental program Community meet up opportunities Water features in park Shoots and ladders in parks Nature centers in parks Community gardens in parks More: picnic tables, drinking foundations, restrooms, better lighting, emergency stations, petanque Co-locate bus stops at parks Urban trail systems using existing network Improve ADA Accessibility

5 Parks, Recreation & Open Space: What opportunities are there for you and your constituencies to get involved and support these improvements? Be more involved in park planning, for example provide input to park boards, comp plans, events Public health and park directors meeting together Utilize rotary club as a volunteer base Corporate sponsorships Start park foundations Work within community Foundation of Snohomish County Call parks Attend park meetings Review development policy to require open spaces in new development Ask kids what they want Include joint use agreements in parks Partner with public health provider to create and develop0 evidence based programs that improve health More conversation about land acquisition I gap areas Increase incentives to visit parks Have fundraisers at parks by non-profits Develop citizen groups for parks friends of and use digital methods Citizens can use social media More organized advocacy Get additional public feedback (surveys by park departments) Park staff should observe and secret shop parks Support park levy on ballot Strengthen relations between schools and parks Engage pet owners/associations

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