What is Healthy
Trails, Healthy People?
Healthy Trails, Healthy People is a program of Parks & Trails New York that helps New Yorkers develop more active communities and an enhanced quality of life through the creation of multi-use trails. Each year, Parks & Trails New York selects up to five new communities that are interested in trail development. As part of the program, selected communities will receive technical and planning assistance, workshops, mini-grants, and organizational support. The workshops will highlight the multiple benefits of trails as well as provide an opportunity for residents to explore trail development opportunities within their own communities.
Why Healthy Trails, Healthy People?
New Yorkers need to be more active! In 2006, 58% of New York adults
were overweight or obese. Obesity adds more than $6 billion annually
to health care costs in New York State. Medical research has shown that
being overweight or obese can contribute to high blood pressure, heart
disease, diabetes, and an increased risk for some forms of cancer.
Walking is one of the easiest ways to become more physically active and control
weight. And what better place to walk than on a local trail. Close to
home, multi-use trails can provide free or low cost opportunities for everyone, irrespective of age or fitness level, to increase their
level of daily physical activity. People who report having access to
sidewalks and trails are 28-55% more likely to be physically active.
Trails
can also help protect valuable open space; preserve natural and historic
resources; increase tourism and recreation-related business activity;
provide safe off-road links to parks, schools, libraries, shops, and
neighborhoods; and foster public-private partnerships, community investment,
and civic pride. In a 2002 survey of recent homebuyers sponsored by
the National Association of Realtors and the National Association of
Home Builders, trails ranked as the second most important community
amenity out of a list of 18 choices.
Program Benefits
for all Trail Advocates
To assist with trail development and organizational capacity building as well as cover timely information on the health benefits that trail use can provide, Parks & Trails New York:
Provides a free trails how-to guide, Getting Started: A Guide to Planning Trails in New York State - click here and download the pdf
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Produces a bi-monthly electronic newsletter Parks & Trails E-NEWS - subscribe or access current and archived issues
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Hosts a biennial trails and greenway conference
SUPPORTED IN PART BY:
