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Sidney launches effort to encourage walking, boost overall health

An “Activate Sidney” community-wide meeting will be held at Western Nebraska Community College’s Sidney campus this Wednesday to bring together locals interested in creating a more walkable, bikeable and runnable Sidney.

The meeting will be hosted by the Cheyenne County Chamber, Cheyenne County Community Center, the City of Sidney, Panhandle Area Development District, Sidney Regional Medical Center and WNCC.

According to the Panhandle Health District, Sidney is part of a select group of cities across Nebraska that will gather input from residents in an effort to design community specific initiatives centered on walking, biking and safety for everyone.

“We know people are looking to live in communities which have opportunities for individuals to connect with family and friends and support an active lifestyle,” said Jessica Davies, wellness coordinator of the Panhandle Public Heath District.

The event will feature interactive activities and is designed to be high-energy. It will included a walking meeting to generate ideas and engage facilitation to help plan the next steps for the community. New plans could involve environmental design elements, complete streets, new programs or expanded trail connections.

The morning portion of the meeting will include a panel with Tom Von Seggern, City of Sidney’s Parks and Recreation director; Brian Coyle, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Service’s physical activity coordinator; Daniel Bennett, Panhandle Area Development District regional planner; and Davies. Jeremy Grandstaff with S&G Endeavors in Washington, D.C., will facilitate the meeting.

The main purpose of the meeting is to build a common understanding that embraces opportunities and overcomes barriers for Sidney to increase being active and overall health, energize the leadership, key stakeholders and community members around an inspiring vision of Sidney’s potential and to lead to a concrete action plan and a clear roadmap to increase walking, biking, running and overall health.

“Sidney is one of six other communities in the state that is receiving this opportunity to intensively plan and build a roadmap to increase walking, running, biking and overall health,” Davies said. “Research continues to show when people have a built environment with access to safe paths and sidewalks throughout their community connecting to schools, businesses, parks and other highly visited areas their health is improved as they are more inclined to lead a physically active lifestyle.”

Davies added that although Sidney’s trail expansion is near completion, conversation and planning is much bigger than the trail system and will be a multi-year strategic plan.

“We need everyone’s input and voice to be part of this critical conversation,” she said.

The meeting is free to the community, and breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Registration information can be found at the Panhandle Health District website.

The event will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at 3:30 p.m.

 

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