IT TAKES A VILLAGE:GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL RECOGNIZES HEALTHY COMMUNITIES

Dover, DE - Governor Markell's Council on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention recognized seven municipalities today for championing the health and well-being of their communities. Gold, silver, bronze and honorable mention accolades were presented during a ceremony held on the Delaware State University campus.

"Healthy communities promote physical activity such as walking, jogging, cycling and recreational classes. They also encourage healthy foods and portions, discourage tobacco use, and promote other healthy behaviors while integrating the needs of persons with limited mobility and disabilities, said Governor Jack Markell. "These efforts help prevent costly chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer and obesity. Congratulations to the winning communities and thank you for your work toward a healthier Delaware."

"With nearly two-thirds of Delaware adults and more than a third of our children at an unhealthy weight, we need the power of many communities coming together to tackle our obesity epidemic and other chronic diseases," said Rita Landgraf, Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services. "These municipalities prove what can be done when we engage more people in embracing healthier lifestyles. Over an extended period, these types of changes will yield much healthier communities across our state."

The Governor's Council's Recognition for Community Health Promotion program recognizes the efforts of Delaware municipalities that bring together community-wide resources to enhance access to services, encourage positive behavioral changes and improve community health. The seven municipalities submitted applications, which were scored based on self-reported assessments of their efforts. Healthy efforts demonstrate effective planning and implementation of best practice and/or creative and visionary programs to improve physical activity, nutrition/healthy eating, tobacco-free lifestyles, healthy environments; promote healthy lifestyles and integration of the needs of individuals with limited mobility and disabilities in neighborhoods, schools and workplaces.

"Governor Markell established the Council on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention to encourage wellness as a way of life," said Council Chair Sandra Hassink, MD. "These municipalities showcase many healthy initiatives and are to be commended for their creativity and industriousness."

"We know people's health is impacted by a variety of factors other than just a regular visit to the doctor. For every dollar spent on preventing chronic disease, we save $5.60 in health care costs," said Dr. Karyl Rattay, DPH Director. "Under the leadership of these communities, Delaware is on its way to building a true healthy infrastructure that will help Delaware for years to come."

A healthy community has leaders in organizations of all types (e.g. schools, businesses, faith- based) who are committed to solving today's and tomorrow's critical public health problems. The seven healthy communities being recognized are making the needed system-wide changes to make their community an inviting place to live, work, learn, worship and play. The following communities are the first to receive this esteemed recognition:

• Town of Middletown (Gold Level recognition) - The Town of Middletown has a 200-acre passive park with a dog park, catch-and-release fishing pond and four miles of walking/biking trails and playgrounds. Approved housing developments were required to have interconnectivity to nearby shopping and other development to encourage walking and bicycling. Mayor Kenneth Branner, the Town Council, and the police department host two annual picnics at the M.O.T. Senior Center and offer tips such as keeping their homes safe from criminal attempts and how to be safe in town. Within the next year, the Town of Middletown plans to hold a 5K as part of the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. Additionally, the Town of Middletown will work with developers in the commercial area of Westown to ensure the new area is walkable and bikeable and interconnected. At the request of residents, the Town of Middletown plans to measure and mark the walking trails at Charles Price Park.
• City of Seaford (Silver Level recognition) - In 2000, the City of Seaford's Council banned smoking in the city's 14 parks. The City of Seaford collaborated with the Seaford School District on the Safe Routes to School initiative. Recently, the City collaborated with Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, the Western Sussex Boys and Girls Club, the Seaford School District and the Sussex County Health Promotion Coalition to establish the Healthy Sussex Worksite Wellness program. This program offers free or discount healthy activities to employees of the participating agencies and cost shares a wellness program that may have been too costly if instituted individually. Over the next year, the City of Seaford aspires to establish low-impact walking clubs and walking trails with marked routes.
• City of New Castle (Bronze Level recognition) -In 2011, the City of New Castle passed a Smoke-Free Parks Policy. The City of New Castle Planning Commission is working to de-centralize parking resources so they are distributed among many destinations. The Colonial School District has held two health fairs at William Penn High School, and each year 225 people attended. The Historic New Castle Alliance was awarded a New Castle County Community Economic Development Grant to provide for the development of trail maps, guides and signage for bikes and pedestrians. When the Wilmington-New Castle Greenway is complete, it will result in a six-mile paved and non-motorized travel route.
• City of Wilmington/South Wilmington (Bronze Level recognition) -The South Wilmington Planning Network established a thriving community garden and requested a bus stop near a grocery store. The South Wilmington Planning Network supported a Safe Routes to School Program at Elbert Palmer Elementary School, and the school further promoted walking with a "Steps Across Delaware" game with pedometer giveaways. The Food Bank of Delaware stocks a food pantry at the school, which also holds weekly parent empowerment meetings about health and wellness. The Promoting Healthy Activities Together (PHAT) program teaches adolescents about the importance of healthy eating and physical activity.
• City of Newark (Bronze Level recognition) -A citizen Conservation Advisory Committee was integral in the adoption of an anti-idling ordinance to limit vehicle emissions. The City of Newark expanded its walkable-bicycle friendly features, such as the recent opening of the Pomeroy Trail connecting the University of Delaware's north campus to White Clay Creek State Park. With over 4,000 volunteer hours from the Trail Spinners, the City developed mountain biking trails in William Redd Park. With a $30,000 grant, West Park Elementary and Downes Elementary schools created a vegetable garden program that provides vegetables for the school cafeterias; the students also take produce home.
• Town of Bethany Beach (Honorable Mention) -When a streetscape project now underway is complete, there will be wider sidewalks, more pedestrian crossings, new curb ramps and lighting, and improved bicycle signage. In 2008, the Town of Bethany Beach was the first of the coastal communities to pass an ordinance banning smoking on its beach and in other public areas. The Bethany Beach Farmers' Market, now in its seventh season, attracts hundreds of citizens every Sunday. Planning has begun for a new six-acre "walk-to" park at the corner of Routes 26 and 1. The town is exploring ways to fund new construction to improve walking and cycling thoroughfares.
• City of Dover (Honorable Mention) -By working with the Capitol School District, the city is encouraging school/pedestrian connections at the new Dover High School and created a Bicycle/Pedestrian Subcommittee. The City of Dover offers lunchtime fitness classes and is working with the Downtown Dover Partnership to implement a Farmer's Market on Loockerman Street. The City of Dover is continuing to review and update its Zoning Ordinance to add design aspects that promote healthy lifestyles, and looking for more opportunities for off-road trails.

QUOTES

Bethany Beach
"Bethany Beach is a walkable and bikeable community. Our goal has not only been a healthy community but one safer for walkers and bikers," said Mayor Tony McClenny. "We are planning further projects, including an extensive new walking trail."

City of New Castle
"Delaware Greenways was the spark that ignited our work," said Dr. Joanne Viola, City of New Castle. "They have been strong partners to the City of New Castle, as its leaders and its citizens committed to a healthier community."

City of Wilmington
"The South Wilmington Planning Network is honored to be recognized for promoting community health in the Southbridge section of Wilmington," said Bill Swiatek, Chair, South Wilmington Planning Network. "Our unique coalition of agencies and residents has undertaken several collaborative, healthy initiatives this past year including: a streetscape project, community garden, family-friendly activities, a solar park project and an asthma action plan. We look forward to competing for gold-level recognition next year!"

Dover
"As Dover grows and changes, we are working hard to ensure that walkable and bikeable areas are available for residents," said Dover Mayor Carleton E. Carey, Sr. "We are also working to create walkable and bikeable areas as we update infrastructure and streets. It's a community effort."

Middletown
"This award really belongs to the residents of Middletown, who have continued to request healthier amenities in their neighborhood," said Kristen Krenzer, City of Middletown. "Middletown, its Mayor and City Council, are happy to meet those requests and thrilled to receive this award."

Newark
"As someone who had a massive stroke and recently lost a brother to diabetes, I appreciate the importance of physical activity and healthy lifestyles," said Mayor Vance Funk III. "The City of Newark is grateful for this honor and committed to continuing our good work."

Seaford
"Our community cares about their health, and a symbol of this is our new walking club," said Seaford City Manager Dolores Slatcher. "We walk every Wednesday night at 7 p.m. at three locations: Hooper's Landing, Soroptimist Park and the Sports Complex. It's no cost and low impact and we say to just show up. We have a staff member there and little door prizes for those who complete the loop."

For more information, or to apply to the Healthy Community Recognition Program, visit www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/dpc/chpdpcahp.html or call the Division of Public Health's Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Section: 302-744-1010. The event was co-sponsored by the Delaware Center for Health Promotion at Delaware State University.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.