In this Fit Community episode, you will hear from Town Manager Anne-Marie Knighton about Edenton’s continual efforts to create a walkable community with neighborhood connectivity to downtown shopping and services. She says strategic planning of connecting side walks and side parking make the streets of Edenton an attractive option for neighbors to walk or bike to the pharmacy, the hardware, and many other daily destinations. The Edenton-Chowan County Director of Parks and Recreation Robbie Laughton explains why the use of the Active Living by Design 5P model has helped the town create an environment of healthy living. He shows how promotion, and preparation have lead to successful physical projects and policies being created with the help of solid partnerships in the community.
To provide more opportunities for physical activity, Edenton/Chowan County, and Healthy Carolinians partnered to bring 11 more walking trails throughout the community and create a walkable communities guide to help people identify the trails in their neighborhoods. Viewers will see why the promotion of Edenton’s plentiful recreation programs is key to this town’s success in getting more people to increase their exercise and make healthy choices.
Another model of health is the change in food choices and food preparation in the Edenton/Chowan County Schools’ cafeterias where students are getting use to healthy policies that include eating food baked, not fried. Meats are lower fat in the school’s cafeteria and there is an increase in serving whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Edenton’s two next-door elementary schools are eight miles from downtown Edenton. Most students are not able to walk to school and they will benefit from a future paved walking track that will connect the two schools. The track is funded through a Fit Community Grant through North Carolina’s Health and Wellness Trust Fund. “Project Track” stands for teaching, reaching, and collaborating. The goal is to reach students, teachers, and the community with a physical project that is a convenient fitness opportunity. A new school policy will have students and teachers walking at least 15 minutes three days a week on the new school track. With Project Track and several new healthy policies, Edenton continues to find ways to foster a Fit Community in North Carolina.
Q & A:
R. Laughton
Watch Entire Interview:
Watch Individual Interview Questions:
Explain a specific program that made an impact on Edenton.
How is wearing a pedometer s good way to record physical activity.
