In part four of UNC-TV’s Fit Communities on North Carolina Now, Heather Burgiss travels to Eastern North Carolina’s Pitt County to showcase the strategies this rural county is undertaking to get their neighbors moving and eating healthy.
With key partnerships and physical projects such as walking trails and park and recreation strategies, Pitt County shines as a Fit Community in North Carolina. Pitt County covers an area of 656 miles and is home to East Carolina University in Greenville.
With the help of a diverse, collaborative partnership, Pitt County has achieved an extensive network of parks and walking trails – an impressive 85% of residents in this rural county live within two miles of a park facility. You’ll hear from Alice Keene, Special Projects Coordinator for Pitt County Schools and Recreation about how Pitt County maximizes its reach by locating many recreational facilities in non-traditional places (e.g., schools, flood buy-out and church properties) and working with stakeholders to create joint-use agreements.
Pitt County has also demonstrated leadership in creating healthy school environments through its commitment to the Winner’s Circle healthy eating program and by passing a new tobacco-free schools policy in 2006. You will also hear from Jo Morgan, Pitt County’s Health Education Director on how the county is working to put physical projects, policies, promotions, preparation, and programs into action to get Pitt County moving and eating right. Implementing successful strategies to provide physical activity and healthy eating to such a large area keeps county leaders thinking outside the box. School parks and facilities are not just for students, but double as park and recreation sites for neighbors in rural areas of Pitt County. Anyone can us many of the county’s facilities on weekday evenings and weekends.
Pitt County agencies work with Greenville City to ensure preparation, promotions and policies are in place to create connectivity with greenways, sidewalks, and parks to promote physical activity. A big push for Pitt County is to connect more people to recreation sites. A Fit Community grant will be used to create more walking trails that will eventually connect neighborhoods to the new district park.
Pitt County’s dedication to Fit Community can be found in ground breaking health policies and promotions in workplace wellness at its area hospital. You’ll hear from Brody School of Medicine nutrition professor Dr. Kathyrn Kolasa about her involvement in consulting to create and serve healthier cafeteria meals to hospital staff and visitors. Viewers learn how partnerships are helping to solve local health problems as Pitt County continues to strive to make positive changes for fitness and health in the community.
Q & A:
Dr. Kathryn Kolasa
Watch Entire Interview:
Watch Individual Interview Questions:
1. Why is it importatn to intervene in a community's lifestyle and encourage healthy eating and exercise?
2. What programs are in place in Pitt County to encourage healthy eating for all ages?
