Success Story: Alamance Walks!
In Alamance County, two health organizations joined forces with an unlikely partner, the Burlington Downtown Corporation, and discovered that sometimes two very different goals can be achieved simply by working together.
After completing a county wide community assessment, the Alamance County Health Department staff and the Healthy Alamance Healthy Carolinians coalition realized that they were still losing far too many citizens to heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Knowing that increasing physical activity can decrease the risk of these deadly diseases, the partners began seeking ways for people in their county to become more physically active.
Meanwhile, the Burlington Downtown Corporation was looking for a way to increase the use of the downtown area. When the Burlington Downtown Corporation director, Sherry Adams, approached Cindy Brady, director of the Healthy Alamance coalition, about developing a downtown walking program they knew they had a winning solution for both of their problems.
"Many of the people who came out for the six week organized walks commented that they were seeing downtown Burlington in a different light - a more positive light. They didn't realize we had so many downtown businesses or restaurants. People also commented on the fact that the route was mapped out in such a way that it was easy for them to follow and they walked a mile before they even aware that they have done so."
Sherry Adams, Director, Downtown Burlington Corporation
Adams and Brady took this idea to Glenda Linens, Alamance County Health Department Health Promotion Coordinator and found out there was a grant opportunity for just this kind of project and set about writing the application for the Eat Smart, Move More…NC community grant that would help them to accomplish this.
The Road to Success
Twenty-one granite markers have been designed, and installed marking 2.5 mile paths in downtown Burlington. The Burlington Downtown Corporation played a key role in getting city approval for the placement of the markers and in the development of maps detailing the new paths. They were even able to have the city employees install the granite markers into the sidewalks along the paths, free of charge!
To help people discover the new walking paths, maps with safety tips and walking logs were printed and distributed throughout the downtown area. For those outside of the downtown area the group heavily promoted the program through frequent emails, huge billboards and numerous flyers.
Hoping to encourage everyone to actually use the new walking paths, the community partners held 2 - 6 week walking programs and enticed people to participate by giving out pedometers, t-shirts and gift certificates. The partners capitalized on another successful downtown event and kicked off their walking programs by joining forces with "Picnic in the Plaza", an event held every spring and fall, sponsored by the local radio station, Oldies 93.
The successes of the project included an increase in the amount of people walking in the downtown area and in the number of people attending downtown events (other than the walks). One local resident who participated in the walking program said "The use of the pedometer has increased my awareness of taking extra steps and being more active." (Ted Henson, Alamance County resident)
Stepping Stones...
Collaboration is the key in accomplishing a project this big. It took the participation of all the partners to make this project a success.
Incentives are very important in motivating people to participate; people will do a lot of walking for something as little as a pedometer and a t-shirt!
The weekly walking programs were successful because the key partners contributed staff time and support.
Coordinating walking events with other downtown events helps boost participation as did including the media in events and advertising the project.
Contact Information
Name, Title: Glenda Linens, Health Promotion Coordinator
Agency: Alamance County Health Department
Address: 319-N. Graham-Hopedale Rd. Suite B
City, State, Zip: Burlington, NC 27217
Phone: (336) 570-6430
Fax: (336) 513-5548
Email: Glenda.linens@alamance-nc.com
