Project Title:   Step to it Northside

Amount Funded:   $24,920

About the Organization/Coalition:
Hennepin County in east central Minnesota includes the city of Minneapolis and 47 suburban and rural municipalities. The Hennepin County Community Health Department (HCCHD) will partner with the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority, Pilot City Health Center, Stairstep Foundation, Minneapolis Public Works, and the Minneapolis Crime Prevention and Safe Program. The HCCHD and its partners will develop and implement a project to change the physical and social environment of North Minneapolis so that walking is embraced and supported. Once this model proves successful, similar projects will be replicated in other neighborhoods across the county.

Project Objectives: The objectives have three components: educational, environmental, and community network.

Educational strategies will include:

1. A series of strengthening classes for older adults to prepare for and enhance walking.
2. Safe-pedestrian classes for older adults.
3. A community event on National Senior Fitness Day 2004 to educate residents about the benefits of physical activity and reduce the incidence of chronic diseases and falls.
4. Development and distribution of a brochure that highlights physical activity opportunities in the community.

Environmental strategies will include:

1. Identify safe and accessible one-and two-mile walking routes adjacent to the senior high-rise buildings.
2. Assess and correct any hazards identified on the proposed walking path.
3. Engage the neighborhood redevelopment organization to support safe walking, boost visual appeal of the neighborhood and allocate funds to install benches along the walking path.
4. Partner with the Community Crime Prevention Safe officers to enforce traffic laws, such as pedestrian right of way and speed limits, and assure the safety of older adults using the walking path.
5. Develop and post walking path signage.
6. Develop walking path maps and distribute at senior high rises, community clinics, libraries, and other locations.

Community network strategies will include:

1. Partner with Pilot City Health Center and other local clinics to refer patients to the North Minneapolis walking group.
2. Engage local businesses to provide incentives for older adults to start and sustain walking activities.
3. Partner with Minneapolis Public Housing Authority senior high-rises, community clinics, and community centers to encourage residents to participate in a walking group.
4. Engage local community centers to include walking as part of their ongoing activities.
5. Use local radio stations, newspapers and community forums to announce upcoming events and messages promoting physical activity.
6. Recruit older adult residents to become community spokespeople and role models to promote physical activity and events.

Progress Report:  
The Step To It Northside project accomplishments for 2003 included:

• Partnerships were formed with 14 community organizations that included a health center, senior high-rise building, community center, Dept. of Public Works, YMCA, YWCA, and others.
• A Saturday walking club began on Sept. 27 and has met each week. The club's two-mile walking path is on a popular street in North Minneapolis. Community partners donated yellow t-shirts for participants, pedometers, and guest passes for the YMCA. Twenty-six walkers initially signed up, with new participants registered each week.
• The Minneapolis Public Works Department identified and corrected walking hazards along the two-mile route.
• A graphic designer created a logo for the Step To It Northside program. In addition, 25 street signs have been printed to identify and promote the walking route.
• A brochure was developed and distributed throughout the Northside community. It highlights the benefits of physical activity, promotes the walking club, and includes a weekly walking log and route map that identifies one- and two-mile markers and local landmarks.
• An exercise physiologist is under contract to provide a series of strengthening classes for older adults. The goal is to help older adults with varying degrees of physical fitness and to prepare them for participation in the walking group.
• A planning group was initiated to organize a community event scheduled for May 26, 2004 in conjunction with National Senior Fitness Day.

Contact Information:
Pam Cosby
Hennepin County
525 Portland Ave. South
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55415
(612) 348-6107