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Protecting the Health
of Older Americans
Building Healthy Communities for
Active Aging Awards 2009
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About the Awards
"* he Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging award is sponsored by the U.S.
. EPA in partnership with the President's Council for Fitness and Sports, the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Council on Aging, the National Blueprint
and Active for Life. The awards are supported by federal, state and local agencies as well
as non-governmental organizations. The awards recognize excellence and raise awareness
about healthy synergies that can be achieved when communities combine and implement
the principles of smart growth with the concepts of active aging. This year, a new award
category was created to recognize excellence at the neighborhood level. Award recipients
demonstrate the best and most comprehensive overall implementation of smart growth
and active aging at the neighborhood, municipal, tribal,
county and regional levels. Applicants are evaluated
based on their program's effectiveness, community
involvement, outreach efforts, innovation, and
environmental and health benefits and outcomes.
There are two types of awards—the Achievement
award and the Commitment award. Achievement
award winners have demonstrated excellence in
building healthy communities by integrating the
principles of smart growth with the concepts of active
aging. These recipients have implemented programs
and policies that improve the health and well-being of
Individuals and the environment the community and its citizens. The Commitment award
benefit when people of all ages recognizes communities that are planning for and
engage in an active lifestyle. beginning to integrate smart growth and active aging.
Cover photo courtesy of Project for Public Spaces, www.pps.org.
Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging Awards 2009
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Building Healthy Communities
for Active Aging
2009 Achievement Award Winners
Public Entity Winner: Town of Gary, North Carolina 2
Neighborhood Winner: Martinsville-Henry County, Virginia
Coalition for Health and Wellness 3
2009 Commitment Award Winners
City of Gaithersburg, Upcounty Senior Center, Maryland 4
County of San Mateo, Half Moon Bay Senior Campus Plan, California 5
Updates of Past Winners
Town of Scarborough, Maine 6
Portland Parks & Recreation and the Bureau of Transportation, Oregon 7
City of Casper, Wyoming 8
What is Smart Growth? 9
What is Active Aging? 10
Connecting Smart Growth and Active Aging 11
Call for Applications 2010 12
Growing Smarter, Living Healthier: A Guide to Smart Growth and Active Aging 12
Supporters of Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging 13
Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging Awards 2009
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Achievement Award—Public Entity Winner
Town of Gary
North Carolina
"The most important
aspect of line
dancing, besides
the physical and
mental benefits,
is the chance to
socialize and have
fun. I have seen
participants grow in
both confidence and
coordination!"
-Helen Merentino,
age 74, instructor
CONTACT:
Jeff Ulma
Director of Planning
Town of Gary
(919) 469-4082
jeff.ulma@
townofcary.org
The Town of Gary demonstrates excellence in smart growth and promoting
active aging through creative and extensive programs that include active
preservation of open space, extensive walking and biking paths, and hundreds
of fitness and wellness programs designed by and for older adults. Community
and participant involvement in Gary's Planning Department efforts and
Gary's Senior Center activities has led to successful implementation of these
programs.
Over the past five years, the Gary Senior Center quadrupled its courses
and activities. It now serves more than 22,000 elders. Gary has successfully
promoted physical activity by placing importance on it and intentionally
providing peer recognition and social support.
Gary has made active aging by design: it has preserved 2,300 acres of open
space, 22 parks, and 174 miles of biking and walking trails. Gary has invested
millions to acquire open space and
greenways. It has also developed
"activity centers," the building
blocks of Gary's long range
planning. These activity centers
are physically and aesthetically
unified, concentrating mixed-use
development in a compact and
pedestrian friendly fashion. The
centers are popular locations for
retirement communities due to
their proximity to shopping, B|k|pg gnd wg|k|ng trg||s prov|de
exercising and socializing. opportunities for safe, outdoor activities.
Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging Awards 2009
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Neighborhood winner—Achievement Award
The Martinsville-Henry County (MHC) Coalition for Health and Wellness
advocates active living for persons of all ages and abilities. The Coalition made
significant strides to promote active aging
services through its Activate initiative
by adopting active aging programs and
implementing smart growth policies.
Activate strives to increase participation
in physical activities, improve the
recreational image of the community,
and advocate for additional active living
resources. One feature is the community
assessment, in which Activate staff bring
citizens on community walkabouts to
assess specific needs in the area, such
as walking and biking facilities. Thanks to
older resident input, the City of Martinsville
has its first bike lane and pedestrian safety
lights.
Bike Basics 101 makes riding a
bike easy, teaches the rules of
the road, and promotes a healthy
lifestyle.
Activate inventoried physical activity programs and identified a need for more
senior services, including walking and biking programs. Activate partnered with
the Martinsville YMCA to establish a low impact beginners' walking program,
which now has 100 participants, 61% of whom are elders.
Activate publishes an annual physical activity guide and tool kit with useful
information on recreation programs, and fitness and health centers so elders
can stay active.
Martinsville-Henry
County Coalition
for Health and
Wellness
Virginia
"\ have just
celebrated my 68th
birthday, and I'm
so excited about
the increase in my
energy level from
walking only three
days a week."
-JeanRoyall,age68,
Activate participant
CONTACT:
Jeannie Frisco
Activate Program
Director
Martinsville-Henry
County Coalition for
Health and Wellness
(276)403-5087
jfrisco@activatemhc.org
Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging Awards 2009
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Commitment Award—Public Entity Winner
CityofGaithersburg
Upcounty
Senior Center
Maryland
"Last time I went for
my bone density test,
to my surprise I was
told that I no longer
need bone density
tablets. My bones
showed remarkable
improvement. I
have arthritis in both
knees. I have been
able to walk much
better and even took
part this summer in a
5k walk."
-Nisha Jagannath,
age 70
CONTACT:
Grace Whipple
Facilities Director
Gaithersburg Upcounty
Senior Center
(301) 258-6380, ext. 25
gwhipple@
gaithersburgmd.gov
Gaithersburg is recognized as one of the
first cities in Maryland to adopt smart
growth as a foundation for city planning.
Gaithersburg has updated its master
plan with incentives for developers
to adopt smart growth practices. For
example, it adopted ordinances for
affordable housing and requires new
developments to comply with LEED
building standards.
Gaithersburg has overseen the
development of several mixed use
communities with senior living facilities,
including the Kentlands, an award-
winning new urbanist community
with shops, businesses, recreation, and housing, all within a 10-minute walk
of downtown Gaithersburg. Kentlands' success prompted plans for a similar
community, Casey East.
Gaithersburg plans to relocate the Upcounty Senior Center to a larger facility
within walking distance of mass transit. The Center has nearly 1,000 members
and offers about 25 fitness classes a week. One 12 week program, GOT FIT (Feet
in Training) program, is led by a personal trainer that demonstrates "it's never
too late to improve one's fitness."
GOT FIT, a low-impact program,
helps older adults take the first step
to make walking a healthy habit.
Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging Awards 2009
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Public Entity winner—Commitment Award
The County of San Mateo, California has a growing aging population but limited
affordable housing and supportive services. To address this gap, a collaborative
group of local non-profits teamed with the county to develop the Half Moon Bay
Senior Campus Plan—an integrated continuum of care for the county's older
adults.
The plan's success is largely attributable to a strong sense of collaboration and
community involvement. The plan successfully integrates more than 250 units
of affordable housing with a network of pedestrian walkways and open space
intended for structured and unstructured activities. By limiting parking based on
evidence of reduced rates of car ownership among low-income elders, planners
can reduce development costs and
motor vehicle use.
The network of pedestrian paths and
open space encourages an active
lifestyle with minimal interference
from traffic. A special feature is
raised pavement where paths cross
streets, signaling motorists to yield
to pedestrians.
Elders provided invaluable
contributions to the Half Moon Bay
Senior Campus Plan.
Half Moon Bay
Senior Campus
Plan
California
"As I age, it's
comforting to know
that the senior center
and adult day health
care center will be
just steps away. Flat
paths that connect
the buildings with
an interesting
landscaping will
allow for gentle walks
with my friends on
good weather days."
-Harriett Plimmer,
Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging Awards 2009
CONTACT:
Sarah Lambert
Executive Director
Lesley Senior
Communities
(650)726-4888
slambert@lesleysc.org
5
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Updates of Past Winners
Town of
Scarborough,
2007 Commitment
Award Winner
Maine
"I was apprehensive
about attending this
program because
of the terrain
and the walking
distance. However,
I had an absolutely
wonderful time. We
found all the caches
and walked the
entire 1 Y* mile. This
was so much fun!"
-Easy Adventures
participant, age 73
CONTACT.
Debbie Jones
Seniors Program
Coordinator
City of Scarborough
(207)730-4156
djones@
ci.Scarborough.me.us
Scarborough, Maine's Community Services Department continues to support
aging residents through new programs and activities. Scarborough strives to
improve its services and facilities through programs like Seniors Without Walls
(WOW).
WOW's goal is to enrich the quality of life for older adults by having them
participate in programs like Easy Adventures. Elders come together to engage
in sociable, fun, outdoor activities that are focused on improving health in a
low-intensity format. Each year, nearly 500 elders participate in WOW programs
such as horseback riding, rafting and snowshoeing.
Choices is a newly designed comprehensive program that helps elders make
good decisions that support a healthy mind, body and spirit. Participants are
currently focusing on weight loss and identifying ways to stay involved in
the community.
Scarborough's older residents have a
unique opportunity to express their needs
through the City Council's Senior Liaison
Representative. The representative
ensures resident's interests are brought
to the forefront when the Scarborough
City Council discusses planning and
development for older residents.
Easy Adventures is a recreational
program that offers sociable and fun
outdoor activities for older adults.
Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging Awards 2009
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Updates of Past Winners
The City of Portland provides
hiking, biking and walking programs
to integrate older adults into
the community and encourage
healthy lifestyles. In 2009, more
elders participated in older adult
recreational activities which led
the City to expand its facilities and
programs. In addition, an increasing
number of older adults volunteered
to lead recreational activities.
Strolling programs are popular
recreational options for older adults.
Portland's extensive Senior
Recreational Program features 225
courses per quarter and depends
on more than 1,000 senior volunteer hours to ensure the program's success.
A hiking course for elders is offered 5 days per week and is led by older
volunteers and a part-time senior employee. The Senior Bike program added
more sessions, orientation rides and intermediate rides. Since last winter, more
than 200 elders participated in the 47 Senior Bike programs.
Portland is spearheading several new initiatives to increase awareness of
their programs for both disabled and older adults. In partnership with the
Department of Motor Vehicles and Ride Connection, a nonprofit transportation
organization for older and disabled residents, Portland is developing
informational materials on transportation options for persons who no
longer drive.
Portland Parks &
Recreation and
Bureau of
Transportation
2008 Achievement
Award Winner
Oregon
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^K
"I enjoyed myst
Thanks so much. The
free admission was a
great blessing to my
low income budget."
-City Strolls
participant
CONTACT:
Donna Green
Transportation
Specialist
Bureau of
Transportation
(503)823-6114
donna.green@
pdxtrans.org
Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging Awards 2009
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Updates of Past Winners
City of Casper
2008 Commitment
Award Winner
Wyoming
"I regularly do a
lot of walking on
the trails along the
North Platte River
and dance at the
senior center every
chance I get!"
-Mike Kilmer, age 92
CONTACT:
Linda L. Witko
Assistant City Manager
City of Casper
(307)235-8296
lwitko@
cityofcasperwy.com
Several years ago Casper, Wyoming, identified a need to expand the city's
senior center to accommodate a growing older population. Casper's leaders
also recognized that many additional services would be needed. In response,
Casper convened a Senior Study Committee to conduct an inventory of existing
needs and services for their aging residents. This inventory, which included
surveys, focus groups and data analysis, was completed in 2008 and resulted in
a comprehensive plan to improve services for older adults in Casper.
Casper has since embarked on several studies and initiatives to implement
the committee's recommendations. For example, Casper is developing a
Trails Master Plan to determine how to best extend the trail system to more
communities. Additionally, the Recreation Division is completing a strategic
plan on how to expand its programming to offer more elder exercise courses as
well as more active living courses,
such as health and wellness for the
entire community.
Casper's comprehensive "Boomer
Study" has generated much
dialogue in the community and
created awareness about the need
to improve services for older adults.
Casper is organizing a follow-up
meeting to discuss successes and
lessons learned from the previous
year's activities.
Senior center activities offer social
interaction and health benefits.
8
Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging Awards 2009
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What is Smart Growth?
The built environment-
places where we live,
work, and play—impacts
people of all ages. Housing
and transportation
opportunities shape
our environment and
have longstanding
consequences on our daily
lives and the quality of
our environment. When
communities implement
smart growth strategies,
they preserve the best
of their past and create a
healthy environment for
future generations. By
applying smart growth practices, communities create attractive,
walkable neighborhoods that give people of varying age, income
and abilities a range of safe, affordable, and convenient choices
where to live and how to get around.
Growing smart helps reduce our ecological footprint and preserve
our natural resources. Smart growth reduces greenhouse-gas
emissions and improves our health, a winning combination.
www.epa.gov/smartgrowth
In neighborhoods that incorporate
smart growth practices, housing is
within walking distance to shops,
businesses and farmers markets.
Smart Growth Principles
1. Mix land uses.
2. Take advantage of compact
building design.
3. Create a range of housing
opportunities and choices.
4. Create walkable neighbor-
hoods.
5. Foster distinctive, attractive
communities with a strong
sense of place.
6. Preserve open space, farm-
land, natural beauty, and
critical environmental areas.
7. Strengthen and direct
development toward exist-
ing communities.
8. Provide a variety of trans-
portation choices.
9. Make development deci-
sions predictable, fair, and
cost effective.
10. Encourage community and
stakeholder collaboration in
development decisions.
Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging Awards 2009
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What is Active Aging?
By 2030, the 65 and older population in the United States
is expected to reach nearly 20 percent, or more than 70
million. As our population ages, a growing number of us
will be living with chronic conditions, placing increased
pressure on our health care system. Many older adults
live with at least one chronic condition.
Physical activity benefits persons of all ages. It is vital
for reducing the risk of numerous chronic conditions,
relieving symptoms of depression, helping to maintain
independent living and enhancing the overall quality of
life. It also improves mobility and functioning in the frail
and the very old.
Recreational classes are within reach for
many elders. These classes provide a
dual benefit of improved health and social
interaction.
Active aging takes place when elders regularly participate
in structured and unstructured physical activities.
Communities can promote Active aging by implementing
a diverse array of accessible physical activity programs or self-directed activities such as walking and
biking to local parks and greenways. Communities can promote active aging by creating complete
streets with safe, bikeable and walkable neighborhoods.
Learning Network for Active Aging: WWW.LNaCtiveaglng.org
National Council on Aging: www.healthyagingprograms.org
National Blueprint Initiative: WWW.agingbluepHnt.org
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Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging Awards 2009
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Connecting Smart Growth
and Active Aging
By adopting smart growth principles, communities can design places that increase mobility and
improve our quality of life. Neighborhoods that integrate homes with shops, services, and parks and
recreational facilities allow residents—especially older adults—to pursue an interesting and active life
without depending on a car.
Properly designed sidewalks and bikeways allow older residents of all abilities to walk and bike
doctors' offices, businesses, and local shops. Transit provides access to places that are further
These everyday activities promote physical fitness. Across the
nation, the average transit rider walks or bikes 20 minutes a day as
part of using transit, meeting two thirds of his or her daily needs
for physical activity.
The benefits of building healthy communities for active aging are
being realized in communities across the country. By living near
key amenities such as grocery stores, pharmacies and cafes, we
have more choices to be active, we can choose to walk rather than
drive.
Smart land use planning that incorporates smart growth
principles by modifying the built environment can lead to
a reduction in our greenhouse gas emissions and create a
supportive environment for active aging.
to
away.
Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging:
http://www.epa.gov/aging/bhc/about.htm
Communities that provide
sidewalks, bike lanes and walking
trails promote healthy options for
persons of all ages and the option
to be more active.
Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging Awards 2009
11
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Call for Applications 2010
We are pleased to announce the 4th annual Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging awards
program. The awards recognize outstanding community planning and strategies that support active
aging. Winners will be announced in early 2011. Applications are due July 17,2010. Applications, award
guidelines, and entry rules can be found at www.epa.gov/aging/bhc/awards.
Growing Smarter, Living Healthier: A Guide
to Smart Growth and Active Aging
Growing Smarter, Living Healthier is a guidebook for older adults. It not only addresses the basic
principles of neighborhood and town design, but also explains why community design matters. It
explains how a community can create the foundation for an active lifestyle and how residents can
get involved in a community's planning process. The guidebook includes resources on redesigning
neighborhoods so it is easier to get around in communities of all sizes: city, suburb, or small town. It
shares ideas for getting involved and staying engaged in one's community. Copies are available at
www.epa.gov/aging/bhc/guide/index.html.
For more information, please visit...
EPA Aging Initiative: www.epa.gov/aging
Please submit questions by
E-mail to: aging.info@epa.gov
AGJNG
Initiative
Protecting the Health
of Older Americans
12 Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging Awards 2009
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Supporters
Thanks to the BHCAA Supporters.
AARP
Active for Life
Administration on Aging
Alliance for Aging Research
Alliance for Healthy Homes
America Walks
American Medical Association
American Public Health Association
American Society on Aging
Atlanta Regional Commission
Center for Civic Partnerships
Concrete Change
Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists
Elder Care Advocacy of Florida
Encore Leadership Corps (ENCorps)
Generations United
Gerontological Society of America
Greater Boston Chapter of Physicians for Social
Responsibility
Healthy Aging Research Network
Institute for Geriatric Social Work
International City/County Management Association
International Council on Active Aging
Local Government Commission
The Milton H. Erickson Foundation, Inc.
Mobility Education
National Association of Area Agencies on Aging
National Blueprint Initiative
National Council on Aging
National Indian Council on Aging
National Recreation and Park Association
National Senior Citizens Law Center
Pedestrians Educating Drivers on Safety
Portland State University Institute on Aging
Project for Public Spaces
Science and Environmental Health Network
Society for Human Ecology
UMaine Center on Aging
Weinberg Foundation
www.epa.gov/aging/bhc/supporters.htm
Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging Awards 2009
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Aging Initiative
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20460
www.epa.gov/aging
EPA 100-K-10-001
January 2010
rgK Recycled/Recyclable
Printed with Vegetable Oil Based Inks on
Recycled Paper (Minimum 50% Postconsumer)
Process Chlorine Free
nitiativ
Protecting the Health of Older Americans
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