Anaheim Outdoors Connectivity Plan

Health

A goal of the Connectivity Plan is to provide additional opportunities for improved public health by encouraging non-motorized access throughout the City. Convenient trails, exercise stations, air and water quality improvements, community gardens, enhanced neighborhood parks and pocket parks will encourage greater, healthy activity throughout the City.

Scroll down or click on the following topics to learn more about improving health in the City of Anaheim.

• Increase and promote non-motorized transportation options
• Build trails with exercise stations
• Create fitness loops with mileage/time markers
• Improve existing parks with focus on healthy living
• Establish programs with health care agencies (i.e. Kaiser Permanente, OC Health, etc.)
• Promote the availability of fresh, local, healthful food
• Reduce obesity through improved access to recreation
• Combat “Nature Deficit Disorder”

Increase and promote non-motorized transportation options

Fitness can be incorporated into every day activities. During the community outreach residents have expressed a need for better sidewalks in their neighborhoods. Due to the current economic climate, many people can no longer afford to subscribe to health clubs and are instead looking to their neighborhoods for taking walks and recreating. It is important to make changes where people live, work and play in order to make it easier for people to be active and rely less on their vehicles.

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Build trails with exercise stations

Many parks are now incorporating modern exercise stations into their trail systems. These stations contain simplified versions of popular health club items including stair steppers and elliptical machines. These easy to use machines draw users from every age group.

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Create fitness loops with mileage/time markers

Creating fitness loops with mileage markers gives people the option of a 15min walk, a 30min walk, or more. This feature helps keep people motivated when they realize they are walking further each time. It also reduces feelings of intimidation for those who have limited ability by presenting achievable goals. Technology can also make exercise fun by charting distance and letting people know how many calories they’ve burned.

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Improve existing parks with focus on healthy living

Existing parks often contain fields that only get used on occasion. There is an opportunity to utilize these spaces for exercise. For instance, the steps of ball field bleachers can be used as an exercise station along a fitness course. Minor improvements can go a long way towards contributing to a more active community.

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Establish programs with health care agencies

Kaiser Permanente’s HEAL Zones program is a perfect example of how health care agencies are joining with communities in the battle against obesity. The Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Zones initiative invests money into specific communities who pledge to increase opportunities for engaging in healthy behaviors. Walking and biking on safer routes, buying affordable fresh fruits and vegetables close to home and exercising in parks are all opportunities that are created and/or enhanced for residents living in HEAL Zones.

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Promote the availability of fresh, local, healthful food

A major contributor to obesity and illness among urban citizens is the lack of healthy food choices. As fast food chains and corner stores are increasing in numbers, the presence of fresh, nutritious foods is dwindling. People eat what is convenient and affordable. In order to counteract this urban health crisis, fresh, local, healthful food must be made available throughout the City. Awareness programs to teach people the value of healthy eating will be essential in keeping these foods available. Community gardens and farmers market venues can provide real opportunities to improve nutrition.

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Reduce obesity through improved access to recreation

Childhood obesity has both immediate and long-term effects on health and well-being. Prevention is the number one solution to reducing this harmful epidemic. Teaching children from a young age about healthy lifestyle habits is essential. Physical activity is a key element of a maintaining a healthy lifestyle and it can be encouraged by establishing attractive areas for play.

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Combat “Nature Deficit Disorder”

Children are spending less time outdoors and less time engaging in imaginative play. Especially in urban environments, children are more likely to spend after school hours at their computer or video screens rather than outdoors. This lack of activity and connection to the natural environment puts children at risk for mood disorders and childhood obesity. Getting children excited about walking, biking and play is a critical step in combating Nature Deficit Disorder.

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