Let's get moving!

Create communities that are denser and more connected and livable, incorporating mixed-use neighborhoods, safety, walkability and access to schools and other positive destinations and healthy food options.

1. Provide resources, technical assistance and education to the community on policy, environmental and systems changes.
2. Create master community, park and recreational facility plans that encourage physical activity.
3. Create master pedestrian and bike plans at community level that connect to AR State Highway Dept. Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan.
4. Develop plans and policies to create public spaces for people using all forms of mobility (wheelchair, stroller, bicycle, etc.).

Encourage design principles that support healthy roadways and streets.

1. Promote grassroots support of Complete Streets principles in every community across Arkansas.
2. Work with city, county and other planners to incorporate increased Connectivity Index Scores into relevant policies and regulations.

Complete Streets series:

1. Overview
2. Health and Wellness
3. Economic Development and Tourism
4. Equality
5. Healthy Children

Ensure the built environment supports access to sources of healthy foods.

1. Conduct walkability assessments that identify access to sources of healthy foods.
2. Support zoning legislation that increases access to healthy foods (e.g. community gardens, groceries, restaurants.)

Increase formal joint-use agreements between communities and organizations such as schools and faith-based organizations to provide access to physical activity areas.

1. Increase awareness of joint-use agreements with schools, faith-based organizations, etc. and potential partners.
2. Increase number of school districts with policies supportive of joint-use agreements.
3. Provide model joint-use policies to communities, schools, faith-based organizations and others.

State, county and local policy makers will create incentives to encourage denser, more walkable communities and multi-use developments.

1. Create a statewide award similar to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification or Active Community Environments (ACE) philosophy that is based on healthy community “livability.”

Create a shared community vision to develop and improve livability and economic vitality.

1. Use focus groups, needs assessments and town hall meetings to identify shared values.
2. Create an action plan based on shared values.
3.  Market the shared vision of the community.

Visit the Progress Tracker to learn about the Priority Area’s objectives.

The Physical and Built Environment Priority is led by Casey Covington, Deputy Director of Metroplan. His team features members from the following groups:

Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, Arkansas Coalition for Obesity Prevention, Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department, Arkansas Department of Education, Arkansas Department of Health, Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care, Arkansas Municipal League, the City of Bentonville, the City of Centerton, the City of Hot Springs, the City of Little Rock, the City of Texarkana, Crafton Tull, Garver, Northwest Arkansas Planning Commission, Northeast Arkansas Regional Planning Commission, Rock Region Metro, Southeast Arkansas Regional Planning, U.S. Green Building Council, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, University of Central Arkansas, and West Central Arkansas Planning and Development District.

Want to find out how you can help? Contact us!

Priority 1 Team Basecamp

Create an environment that complies with appropriate physical activity federal standards.

1. Comply with federal guidelines for physical activity.
2. Research and recommend a state-level system of measurement for physical activity.
3. Provide a menu of activity that demonstrates how federal guidelines for physical activity can realistically be achieved.

Create a mindset that promotes lifelong physical activity.

1. Promote activities that have continuity into adulthood.
2. Create opportunities for inter-generational physical activity (kids should see the adults in the environment as well as teachers, administrators and parents).
3. Link physical education and activity with the community through joint use agreements.
4. Promote activities that encourage students to walk or bike safely to school. (e.g. walking school bus, bike education programs, etc.)

Integrate physical activity with learning.

1. Integrate physical activity strategies into the Arkansas Curriculum Frameworks.

Visit the Progress Tracker to learn about this Priority Area’s objectives.

The Physical Activity in Schools: Early Child Care through College is led by Dr. Brett Stone, Dean of Education at the University of the Ozarks. His team features members from the following groups: Arkansas Children’s, Arkansas Department of Education, American Heart Association, Arkansas Minority Health Commission, Curricula Concepts, Henderson State University, Springdale School District, and St. Bernard’s Regional Medical Center.

Want to find out how you can help? Contact us!

Priority 4 Team Basecamp