Anaheim Outdoors Connectivity Plan: Links

Link: Anaheim HEAL Zone

URL: http://www.anaheimymca.org/healthy-living/achieve-initiative-activate-anaheim/

Anaheim’s HEAL Zone will be led by Activate Anaheim, a robust coalition of partners led by the Anaheim Family YMCA, with the City of Anaheim, Disneyland Resort, Anaheim Police Department, Anaheim City and Anaheim Union High School districts, Kaiser Permanente, Tiger Woods Learning Center, Orange County Health Care Agency, and local organizations and resident leaders. Key to the HEAL Zone effort will be the engagement and leadership of local residents, both parents and youth.

HEAL Zones are designed “to make healthy choices the easy choice” in targeted neighborhoods of 10,000 to 20,000 residents. The project has three specific goals over the next three years:
·     Decrease calorie consumption, especially sugar-sweetened beverages
·     Increase consumption of healthy food and beverages such as fresh fruits and vegetables and drinking water
·     Increase physical activity

Anaheim’s HEAL Zone will focus on the area surrounding Edison Park—the neighborhood where Activate Anaheim partners came together in the summer of 2011 to build a new park playground and school community garden. Some proposed HEAL Zone strategies include engaging residents as “Champion Moms/Dads”; adding trails; establishing share-use gree spaces ; working with local businesses to make healthy food options more accessible; and increasing physical activity before, during and after school.