Title
A Resolution of Commitment to Join the Livewell Colorado Healthy Eating and Active Living (HEAL) Towns and Cities Campaign to Support Healthy Lifestyle Choices and Obesity Prevention in Colorado Springs
Body
From:
Karen Palus, Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
Summary:
In a time when health trends in Colorado and across the nation are becoming increasingly more alarming, creating awareness and galvanizing action around community health is critical to improving qualtiy of life in Colorado Springs. LiveWell Colorado and the Colorado Municipal League have partnered together with cities and towns across our state to create the Healthy Eating and Active Living (HEAL) Cities and Towns Campaign to provide just this type of awareness. The HEAL Campaign invites municipalities to take action in the areas of healthy food access, active communities and workplace wellness to help reverse some of the negative health trends impacting Colorado communities.
There are currently 32 HEAL Cities and Towns in Colorado. Becoming a HEAL City and joining the HEAL Campaign requires a vote of Council. Joining the Campaign does not require a commitment of funds or dictate City policy. Rather, joining the HEAL Campaign is a pledge to continue to work internally and with community partners to develop plans, policies, and actions that promote a healthy lifestyle for residents of Colorado Springs. Examples of HEAL-supported policies the City is already engaged in include adoption of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, support for community gardens in parks, and continued improvement of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure throughout our city.
Becoming a HEAL City has multiple benefits for Colorado Springs. First, joining the campaign sends a message that the City recognizes the importance of community health and understands that through a combination of municipal action, the work of community partners, and individual choice, we can m...
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