Active Environment | Heartland Healthy Neighborhoods

Goal

To encourage Shawnee County residents of all interests and skill levels to use common spaces and outdoor resources for a more active, healthy lifestyle.

Areas of Focus

Education/Outreach

Walking school bus pilot project

Bike Friendly Business application packet development for local businesses
Recruiting/ Awareness of Outdoor Opportunities

Mobile and Email Blast system for local active messaging to the Shawnee County communities

TheTopPotato is a texting campaign created by the Active Environment workgroup of Heartland Healthy Neighborhoods in 2017 and a great example of mobilizing people, ideas and resources to improve health in our community!

Sign up to receive a text message every Wednesday and Friday to encourage active living. Text TheTopPotato to 25328 to sign up!

Receive brief text messages — like this one — about active living in Topeka and Shawnee County! Have a suggestion? Email Lynn.

Accomplishments

Funding, goals and achievements of the BLAST program, directly impacting and educating Topeka’s students on safe practical bicycle riding for transportation.
Grant award announcement: http://cjonline.com/news-education-local/2015-12-14/usd-501-offer-bicycle-education-program-part-pe-classes-thanks
Coverage of BLAST program: http://cjonline.com/news-local/2016-05-22/usd-501-students-learn-biking-rules-road-through-grant-funded-program

Goal of Built Environment Work Group (2014-2016)

To have policies in place to ensure that Shawnee County will have Complete Streets for future generations to utilize and enjoy.

Objectives of Built Environment Work Group:

Complete Streets Policy and Design Standards at the City Level.
Complete Streets Policy and Design Standards at the County Level.

COMPLETE STREETS

Why “Complete Streets”:

Complete Streets will improve safety, health, economic and environmental outcomes.
Complete Streets emphasize the importance of safe, convenient, and comfortable transportation and access for users of all ages and abilities regardless of their mode of transportation.
HHN is working to have healthy families in Shawnee County.

Learn more about Complete Streets activities:

Shawnee County Kansas Board of Health Meeting 2015/06/18

Board of Health Groundswell Complete Streets View a PDF of the presentation on Complete Streets activities in our community.

Safe Routes to School: Quincy Elementary School – USD 501: Final Report 2014 prepared by Craig Barnes with the Shawnee County Health Agency.

Resources