 Living a healthy lifestyle just got a little easier in Cleveland County.
On April 9, 2018, a new web site, www.livehealthyclevelandcounty.com, was launched with a goal of promoting increased opportunities for healthy eating and physical activity wherever people live, learn, earn, play and pray throughout the county.
Local playgrounds, walking tracks, trails, parks and exercise facilities/gyms can be located using the new web site. Individuals can search for physical activity opportunities in numerous ways, including by location within the county, school district proximity, category, and the availability of certain amenities, such as bathrooms, lighting and paved sidewalks/trails.
Healthy eating resources on the site include farmers' markets, roadside stands and produce markets in Cleveland County. Web site visitors will also find healthy eating tips, recipes and listings of what local produce is available during each season, along with tutorials for preparing it.
The web site also features upcoming events related to physical activity and healthy eating opportunities. Organizations are encouraged to submit these events on the web site for approval and posting.
"I had come across a similar web site for another county, and I thought this would really fill a need in our community," says Cleveland County Catalyst Tammy Bass. One strategy Bass works on to improve health is looking to see if all people in the area have access to healthy food. As the county's catalyst she works with community partners to identify gaps and to collaborate on solutions for everyone.
The new web site is great example of Bass' collaborative work: It is a joint effort of the Cleveland County Public Health Center, Cleveland County Catalyst for Healthy Eating and Active Living, Alliance for Health of Cleveland County, Inc., and Cleveland County Eat Smart Move More Coalition.
"We want this to be a one-stop shop for county residents and visitors to help them find safe places to walk, play and get local fruits and vegetables," says Susan Willis, public health educator with the Cleveland County Public Health Center. "We hope it will encourage Cleveland County families to make physical activity fun by trying a new park or discovering a new place to walk. Walking 30 minutes a day, most days of the week, can help decrease your chance of diabetes, heart disease and stroke."
Both Willis and Bass agree that the web site is a great resource for county residents.
"We hope this helps to build a culture of health in Cleveland County," says Bass.
For more information, visit the site at www.livehealthyclevelandcounty.com.
By April Hoyle Shauf
Special to Community First Media |
