Comprehensive Planning
Incorporating Health into Comprehensive Plans
Active Living Ramsey Communities! is working together with Ramsey County municipalities to explore ways health may be incorporated into the comprehensive planning process. The goal of incorporating health into comprehensive plans is that good community design will positively impact the health of local residents. Community Design And Health Fact Sheet | Healthy People 2010 Goals and Objectives related to Planning | How Active Living Ramsey Communities can Assist with Comprehensive Planning
Comprehensive Plans and Active Living Toolkit
The goals of this toolkit are to: (1) Increase awareness about the connection between community design and active living; (2) Provide information and examples of comprehensive plan language incorporating active living principles; and (3) Start conversations about how municipalities can plan for healthier communities that promote Active Living. Getting Started | Land Use | Transportation System | Parks and Open Space | Appendices
Ramsey County 2030 Comprehensive Plan Update
Minnesota Statutes require the Twin Cities' metropolitan counties and cities to develop and adopt comprehensive plans that conform to the Metropolitan Council's Regional Development Framework. Ramsey County's Comprehensive Plan Update for 2030 was approved by the Metropolitan Council on August 26, 2009 and was adopted by the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners on February 16, 2010. Read the Comprehensive Plan Update for 2030. Active Living Ramsey Communities! section of the Comprehensive Plan is found in section G starting on page 220.
Comprehensive Plans - Land Use Recommendations for Ramsey County, Spring 2006
A summary of reports done for communities, recommending how Active Living concepts may be incorporated into comprehensive plans. Ideas were developed by graduate students in the Urban and Regional Planning Program at the University of Minnesota. Survey was conducted by Decision Resources. Best Land Use Practices for Active Living
Survey - Interview /Study Results
Community Survey, September - October 2005
Survey on physical activities, safety issues, city-suburb differences, walking, and bicycling, administered by telephone to a random sample of 600 St. Paul residents and 600 Ramsey County residents. Initial Findings, Fall 2005 | Full Report, Spring 2006
Informant Interviews Report, Summer 2005
50 key informant interviews were conducted by a combination of Tyler Norris Associates, Inc. and Active Living Ramsey Communities! partners. Persons interviewed were carefully selected for their influence and diversity by Active Living Ramsey Communities! partners. Key Informant Report
Active Living Ramsey Communities!
Promoting Active Living Principles, St. Paul, MN (Ramsey County) MN Department of Health Case Study Report
Links | Digests
American Heart Association: Provides information on AHA's scientific position on obesity and heart disease as well as links to AHA resources and documents.
The Obesity Society: Full of information, research and treatment for obesity.
Active Living by Design is a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and is part of the UNC School of Public Health in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. This program establishes innovative approaches to increase physical activity through community design, public policies and communications strategies.
Active Living Network A gateway to tools and resources for promoting active living and healthy community design.
The Active Living Resource Center Provides the resources and tools to make walking and bicycling part of a community's healthy lifestyle.
Applying Health Impact Assessment to Land Transport Planning This research project draws on learning from New Zealand and other countries to produce recommendations on the best application of health impact assessment (HIA) in land transport planning in New Zealand.
Bike Walk The mission of the National Center for Bicycling & Walking (NCBW) is to help create bicycle-friendly and walkable communities across North America by encouraging and supporting the efforts of individuals, organizations, and agencies.
Biking and Pedestrian Design and Planning Guidance and Requirements The Minnesota Department of Transportation's bike and pedestrian home page provides information on guidance and requirements as well as links to city and county websites
Bike2Benefits Commute with pedal power! Bike2Benefits is open to anyone 18 or older who lives in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin Ramsey, Scott or Washington Counties. There is no fee to participate.
Body Mass Index (BMI): This CDC site provides information on BMI as well as access to a BMI calculator to measure body fat in relation to height for both adults and children.
The California After School Resource Center (CASRC) CASRC, administered by the California Department of Education, provides access to a comprehensive set of reviewed materials, resources, tools, and supportive services for after school programs. Resources are included for physical activity.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Healthy Youth: Informative health topics for adolescents and ways to promote health in the schools.
Community Health Status Indicators Report The goal of Community Health Status Indicators (CHSI) is to provide an overview of key health indicators for local communities and to encourage dialogue about actions that can be taken to improve a community's health. The CHSI report was designed not only for public health professionals but also for members of the community who are interested in the health of their community.
Complete the Streets Complete Streets are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users. Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and bus riders of all ages and abilities are able to safely move along and across a complete street.
Cost Effectiveness of Community-Based Physical Activity Interventions-CDC
Europa Public Health |Policies
Healthy Development Measurement Tool The San Francisco Department of Public Health has launched a website for the Healthy Development Measurement Tool (HDMT). HDMT is an evidence-based practice to consider public health objectives in land use planning. It is organized around seven elements that comprise a "Healthy City". These elements include environmental stewardship; sustainable and safe transportation; public safety; public infrastructure; adequate and healthy housing; health economy; and, community participation.
Major Taylor Bicycling Club of Minnesota, established in 1999, is a nonprofit social/recreational club that promotes safe and fun cycling geared towards the African-American communities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, although all are welcome to join us. This is achieved through group riding events for cyclists of all ages and levels. The Club also seeks to educate the public about its namesake, cyclist Major Taylor, who in 1899, became the first African-American world cycling champion.
The National Institute of Health's National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) Weight Information Network: Offering information, publications and many resources on obesity, overweight, physical activity and nutrition. On Course: The Bicycle and Pedestrian Element of Your Comprehensive Plan (pdf) The Metropolitan Council has a PowerPoint presentation as a resource to help integrate pedestrian and bicycle elements into comprehensive plans.
Obesity Is Not Always About Self Control - The Washington Post by Jennifer LaRue Huget Tuesday, June 23, 2009. Imagine feeling starved all the time...click link to read whole article.
Pathways to a Healthy Decatur A Rapid Health Impact Assessment of the City of Decatur Community Transportation Plan
Physical Activity Guidelines for Adults
Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans - Be Active Your Way Physical Activity Widget A new quick quiz that instantly provides physical activity tips and recommendations tailored to user goals.
Smart Trips Smart Trips is a non-profit organization that works to reduce vehicle miles and improve air quality in the City of St. Paul by promoting alternatives to driving alone and advocating for a balanced transportation network.
TrailLink Search the TrailLink database for detailed information on surface types, access points, locations, distances, services, reviews, photographs and local links for America's 1,359 rail-trails, plays many other canal towpaths, greenways and non-rail-trails.
Transit for Livable Communities A non-profit organization advocating for a transportation system that gives every person affordable and convenient transportation choices. Transit for Livable Communities works to improve the quality of life in Minnesota communities through a balanced transportation system that increases the availability of transit, walking, biking and transit-oriented development.
Links for Young People and Parents
99 Tips Try out any of 99 Tips to Family Fitness Fun
Action for Healthy Kids Action for Healthy Kids' vision is for all kids to develop the lifelong habits necessary to promote health and learning. Its' mission is to engage diverse organizations, leaders and volunteers in actions that foster sound nutrition and good physical activity in children, youth and schools.
Body and Mind: Healthy Living for Kids: An interactive site full of games and quizzes to teach kids about fitness, food and nutrition, disease and safety.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Full of the latest information, data, and links on obesity and overweight for people of all ages.
Inspire Healthy Living: A special site created by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation (American Heart Association & the Clinton Foundation) that's just for kids. It features games, videos and fun ways for kids to get involved in creating a healthier generation.
Food Fitness Ever wonder if some diets are really safe or how you can excel at sports? Get the lowdown on healthy eats, dieting, strength training, eating disorders, steroids and more. Read doctor-approved health information about children from before birth through adolescence. Kids can find recipes, learn how to be good to their bodies, and read all about physical activity.
NICHQ The National Initiative for Children's Healthcare Quality, and the teams from NICHQ's Learning Collaborative Healthy Care for Healthy Kids, a Collaborative to Prevent, Identify and Manage Childhood Overweight have developed a toolkit to assist clinicians in providing quality care for children who are at risk for becoming overweight or who are overweight.
We CAN! A Parent Handbook: Ways to Enhance Children's Activity & Nutrition. We Can! is a national education program providing information and tips for parents and caregivers to help children stay at a healthy weight.
Articles of Interest
Health in all Policies
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: What It is and Why Registered Dieticians Need to Know (Nov. 2006)
Summary of Center for Disease Control's Recommended Community Strategies and Measurements to Prevent Obesity in the US
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Active Living Ramsey Communities! Digest
Ramsey County Commissioner Jan Parker spearheaded Active Living Ramsey Communities! in December of 2004. With the energy and support of community leaders, practitioners, and advocates, a highly collaborative Coalition began. Since its inception, coalition participants collaborate to bring about and sustain changes in design, transportation, and public/private policies that support Active Living as a way. Seeing the need to reverse the rising trend in obesity rates and end the epidemic of childhood obesity, Active Living Ramsey Communities mission is to improve health by creating and promoting environments that make it safe and convenient for people to integrate physical activity into their daily routine. The Coalition’s strategic goals fall into four themes: 1) improving health, 2) influencing policy; 3) enhancing built environments; and 4) engaging communities.
The Active Living Ramsey Communities! Digest captures current information to support these goals. Topics Include: Active Living, physical activity, health issues related to physical inactivity, obesity, nutrition, as well as enhancing the built environment, influencing policies, and engaging the community as it relates to Active Living. Usually, one to two digests are sent out each week. To be added on the distribution list please e-mail alrc@co.ramsey.mn.us.
2008
Vol. 1 | Vol. 2 | Vol. 3 | Vol. 4 | Vol. 5 | Vol. 6 | Vol. 7 | Vol. 8 | Vol. 9 | Vol. 10 | Vol. 11 | Vol. 12 | Vol. 13|Vol. 14 |Vol. 15
2009
January Vol. 16 | Vol. 17 | Vol. 18
February Vol. 19 | Vol. 20 | Vol. 21, | Vol. 22 | Vol. 23
March Vol. 24 | Vol. 25 | Vol. 26 | Vol. 27 | Vol. 28 | Vol. 29
April Vol. 30 | Vol. 31 | Vol. 32 | Vol. 33 | Vol. 34
May Vol. 35 | Vol. 36 | Vol. 37 (Pedestrian Injuries Presentation) | Vol. 38
June Vol. 39 | Vol. 40 | Vol. 41
July Vol. 42 | Vol. 43 | Vol. 44 | Vol. 45
August Vol. 46 | Vol. 47
October Vol. 48 | Vol 49 | Vol. 50
November Vol. 51 | Vol. 52
December Vol. 53 | Vol. 54 | Vol. 55 | Vol. 56 | Vol. 56 addendum
2010
January Vol. 57
2015 N. Van Dyke Street · Maplewood, MN 55109
(651) 748-2500 phone · 748-2508 fax
alrc@co.ramsey.mn.us · activelivingramseycounty.org
Connie Bernardy, Active Living Ramsey Communities! Director
Business Hours: Monday - Friday (8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) | Closed Saturday, Sunday and holidays
