Energized by National Experts on Safe Routes To School

Last week the 3^rd Safe Routes to School National Conference took place in MN. We were lucky enough to learn the grandfather of SRtS Jim Oberstar and hear from others all across the country. It solidified for us the importance of incorporating walking and biking into our daily lives, especially children. We can’t forget that this a quality of life issue and the simple choice to walk and bike more helps people to become part of their community.

- 11,000 schools in the country offering SRtS or funded through SRtS

- In MN, since 2006 68 infrastructure projects funded (through 5 grant solicitations)

- 2011 MN SRtS grant recipients announced; MN/DOT awards $3.8 million

- In 2010; 12 million bikes were sold in the United States, 9 million cars were sold!

- Benefit cost ratios of $4 to $1 with investing in trails. ¾ of benefit is health gain in children

October 5, 2011 is National Walk to School day! Is your school participating? If so, great! Let us know. If not, talk with your principals and teachers. Organize a day of fun for the community and open a student’s eyes to the importance of physical activity!

FREE $$$ & TITLE OF "AMERICA'S FAVORITE PARK" - VOTE FOR BERTRAM!

Win $100,000 and The Title of “America’s Favorite Park” 

Our friends working to make sure the Bertram Chain of Lakes becomes a reality for us, need your help!

Go to http://www.livepositively.com/ to cast your vote for "America's Favorite Park" by Sept. 6, 2011.

Vote often and send to your contact lists! Last year the winning park received 1.6 million votes!

2 Years of Hard Work is Paying Off

Wright County SHIP staff is proud to say that our final grant report, covering work from 7/2009 to 6/2011, was submitted to the Minnesota Department of Health on 8/2/2011! Thank you to all our grantees for all your hard work and completing your reports. You were all amazing partners and advocates for SHIP & Live Wright in Wright County!

Here are some interesting facts about the positive impact we had to support creating healthier communities:

- Provided significantly safer and more secure storage space for students who ride their bikes to school (Monticello School District).

- On the county level, with the plan approval designated roads/bikeways can now be marked appropriately with signs and road markings to make it safe for bicyclists.

- The City of Monticello and Wright County have incorporated interactive maps where users can easily access park and trail data to assist them in enjoying the outdoors.

http://www.monticelloparksmn.us/map/

http://www.co.wright.mn.us/department/parks/maps/countybaseparks/index.html

- Supported 1 acre of community garden in the cities of Buffalo and Monticello, which includes 132 plots/beds for community gardeners.

- Students at Monticello Middle School in the FACS class were able cook with locally grown food 18 days during school in 2010-2011. 7 local farmers provided fresh produce to FACS class.

- Between 2 school garden projects, 146 lbs of produce were grown for school meals and snacks.

Do you have an idea or suggestion to make Wright County a healthier place to live, learn and work?