Title
Presentation By Dr. Paula Thaqi MD MPH, Director Of The Florida Department Of Health In Broward County, Of The Healthy Weight Community Champion 2014 Award To The City Of Hollywood.
Body
Staff Recommends: Presentation of Award.
Explanation:
Florida’s county and municipal governments play an important role in decreasing the prevalence of unhealthy weight in their jurisdictions. Local governments can implement a variety of policies that have been shown to increase physical activity levels and improve nutrition. These “best practice” policies are reflected in the Healthy Weight Community Champion Recognition Program.
Many jurisdictions are making great progress in policy and environmental change. To celebrate these efforts, all local governments in Florida were invited to submit descriptions of their policies and programs for the 2014 recognition program.
Earlier this year the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts with the assistance of Public Works, Planning, and Legal Departments compiled information and submitted an application to become a Department of Health’s Healthy Weight Community Champion.
For the 2014 cycle, 37 Community Champions were recognized for their effort. The City of Hollywood was recognized for:
•The City has embarked on a Bikeways Master Plan and has recently received several Complete Street grants which will be incorporating median islands, larger walkways and more pedestrian and bike friendly walkways in several projects throughout the City. Part of this design will include 5-foot wide bike lanes with a buffer zone.
•The City of Hollywood maintains over 6.5 miles of walking trails. As part of the City’s commitment to continually improve resident’s lives, the City initiated the Get Walking program. This program provides free pedometers at several locations around the City, as well as an online map of each location with the distance and tips on safe and efficient walking.
•The City is committed to providing a healthy environment for its residents as well as its employees through resources like walking programs, senior programs, exercise equipment at parks (lifecycle exercise stations) and weight/workout rooms at community centers. The City also provides classes geared towards seniors in the community. These classes promote activity and allow residents to socialize. The City has also partnered with Barry University to begin a walking and wellness program at our McNicol Community Center which welcomes both residents and employees. As part of this commitment to promoting a healthy lifestyle the City also recently started offering an employee wellness program at one of our community centers.
•The City provided a vacant lot to the Highland Gardens community for its community garden. The temporary garden sits on land that is set aside for future development activity. The community garden has received wide support from the community, as testified to during a recent City Commission meeting.
•Another program the City has is through the Kay Gaither Community Center. This program allows neighborhood children to actively participate in growing fresh produce and provides a fun and hands-on way to learn science. The community center is providing funding for this program through the Children’s Services Council.
The policies and programs implemented by these municipalities and counties affect approximately 9.4 million Floridians. Congratulations to the 2014 Community Champions for their outstanding work!
Recommended for inclusion on the agenda by:
Cathy Swanson-Rivenbark, City Manager
Chuck Ellis, Director, Park, Recreation and Cultural Arts
Renee Richards, Grants and Special Projects Manager