LiveWell Wheat Ridge

LiveWell Colorado Site Visit

December 19, 2011

10:30am – 2pm

Colorado PTA Board Room

LWWR - Creating Healthy Places

Creating Healthy Places

LiveWell Wheat Ridge (LWWR) is one of 22 Colorado communities funded by LiveWell Colorado working to reduce and prevent childhood and adult obesity.

LiveWell Wheat Ridge is a partnership of community stakeholders to create an environment and culture which supports healthy eating and active living (HEAL) to reduce the impact of obesity in Wheat Ridge.

We accomplish this through supporting Wheat Ridge programs, policies and changes to the physical environment and community infrastructure.

Focus on policy change, environmental enhancements and enhanced planning processes in two sectors: active community environments and food systems

Use evidence-informed practices Utilize a coalition approach Focus on disparately affected

communities

LeadershipCommittee

Access to Fresh Fruits &

Vegetables

Taskforce

Active Community Environment

s

Taskforce

LiveWell Wheat Ridge Coalition

Assembling a Multi-Disciplinary Coalition

WR Residents Exempla Lutheran Medical Center Kaiser Wheat Ridge The City of Wheat Ridge Jefferson Conservation District Bicycle Wheat Ridge Wheat Ridge Police Department Jeffco Public Schools Wheat Ridge 2020 Wheat Ridge Employers CSU Extension Community Based Organizations Faith Communities

Active Community Environments (ACE)

Partnership of city staff, community members, organizations, schools working to implement policies, strategies and projects to increase active community environments in Wheat Ridge

Past / Present/ Future

Formed May 2010 Meets monthly Promote and spread healthy community

design practices Diverse membership

Existing Challenges = Future Opportunities

LWWR ACE Projects Phase 2 and 3 of Wheat Ridge Bike and Pedestrian

Master Plan – Completion and adoption; advocating for funding

Wheat Ridge Mixed Use Zoning Ordinance Provided comments on draft Funded public comment Website

38th Avenue Corridor Plan Provided funding for Community Input Sessions Served on Staff Group and Stakeholder Committee Advocated for successful adoption of the plan Support transition and installation of Leadership Team

Provided comments during the Streetscape Design Manual review process

Funded Highlands West and South Adult Fitness Stations

Smart Growth Conference Attendance – sent a team from WR in 2010 and 2011

Safe Routes to School and Walk to School Day

Bike to Work Day

Carnation Festival Bike Parade

Two Walking Assessments

LWWR ACE Projects

LWWR ACE Projects

Develop Plan Review Wadsworth and 44th – Mixed Use Site Clear Creek Crossing Metro Community Provider Network site at

29th and Wadsworth

Access to Fresh Fruits & Veggies

National Trend / Paradigm Shift

Urban Agriculture Emerging trend in planning and

community development

– Economic development – Sustainability– Neighborhood

revitalization– Community cohesion – Physical and mental

health – Food security

Excitement in Wheat Ridge

A “growing” interest in community-based agriculture throughout Wheat Ridge

Access to Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Task Force

Meets monthly (indoor & outdoor meetings)

Promote the creation of local food systems to increase healthy food access

Conducted the WR Healthy Foods Assessment to better understand the eating and growing habits of individuals who live, eat, recreate, work or go to school in Wheat Ridge

AFFV Task Force Accomplishments

December 6 2010 Study Session on Urban Agriculture

Residential Zoning / Urban Agriculture Guide (January 2011) Provided input on the WR Zoning Code

Amendment Process (May 2011)

Improving Food Systems and Food Choices

Acquiring additional community gardening spaces Schools – PV, WRHS, Stevens, WRMS Highlands West and South Health care organizations

Denver Urban Gardening Training Examine and address food insecurity in Wheat Ridge, e.g.

Summer Feeding Program Support Jeffco Public Schools on increasing healthy food

options in cafeterias

Additional Efforts

Support Jeffco Public Schools (JPS) standardize school garden procedures

Member of the JPS District Health Advisory Council

Provide individual support to JPS WR schools participating in the Healthy Schools Project

Support community organizations to increase their resources and capacity to integrate healthy eating and active living into their strategic priorities

Participate on Jeffco JeffTAAG, Local Coordinating Council, etc.

Next Steps for LiveWell Wheat Ridge

Grow task force membership; share leadership/facilitation with WR residents or agencies

Greater focus on neighborhoods, low income and older adults

Apply for two-years of funding from LiveWell Colorado Community Investment initiative

Exploration of models to sustain the movement over the next five years and beyond

livewellcolorado.org

To learn more about Live Well Wheat Ridge and Live Well Colorado

please check out our website