Jeffco walkers promote health and wellness - #lakewoodnews

Jaime Orten likes to walk so much that she bought her house in Golden about a year ago specifically because of the city's walkability.

"Walkability is important for health and wellness," she said.

Orten was part of a group of 14 residents and city employees who participated on a walk audit in Golden on May 11. Golden was one of four Jeffco cities that received a walk audit from the Jefferson County Public Health department's Active Living Coalition, one of six coalitions in the county's Health Improvement Network.

The network focuses on improving healthy eating, active living and psychosocial well-being, with a spotlight on low-income families with children. Partners in the network's coalitions include schools, nonprofits, medical organizations, faith communities, government organizations, community members, students, scouting organizations and other sectors.

Wheat Ridge, Westminster and Edgewater had walk audits on May 7. And on May 21, five walk audits are planned for areas around Lakewood.

A walk audit is a tool used by communities across the country to gather data on the safety and level of walkability for neighborhoods (measuring sidewalks, paths and interconnectability), street sections and transit stops, said Molly Hanson, who is leading the Active Living Coalition.

The walakbility results will be included in the Health Improvement Network's active living plan, but it will be up to the individual municipalities on whether to make the suggested improvements.

The public will be able to view the results on the Jeffco health department's website.

"It's an opportunity to get involved by evaluating the space they use every day," she said. "The local community knows their assets. They can help identify strategies to increase places and spaces that promote daily activity."

That's the goal of the Active Living Coalition --; to support and foster professional networks to share best practices and lessons. By the end of year one, Hanson said, the Active Living Coalition should have a plan that sets priorities to be implemented in years two and three.

On May 11, the group was led by Ted Heyd, policy director for Bicycle Colorado who represented OV Consulting, which partnered with the Jeffco health department for the walk audits. The 14 members were was split into smaller groups to evaluate walkability on North Ford Street between 10th Street and Mesa Drive. They noted the lack of crosswalks, over-grown bushes, the way cars were parked on the street, and the measurements --; width or narrowness --; of the sidewalk and/or where there was no sidewalk.

"This is a town that likes to be out," said participant Roger Stuart, a Golden resident. The audit will help "make our town more conducive to the outdoor lifestyle."

Golden city planner Amber Wesner likes being able to align resources and share ideas among municipalities through the coalition.

It also will help to address gaps, she said, which will allow them to "then work together to address the needs of those areas."

Harold and Betty Payte lead walks in Golden every Wednesdayfor the community. They thought participating on the walk audit would be interesting.

"We have two rules," Betty Payte said. "You have to have fun, and you have to be safe."

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/Jeffco-walkers-promote-health-and-wellness,213977