Despite barriers and delays caused by COVID-19, partners around the state have found imaginative solutions to empower communities striving to overcome West Virginia’s health-related challenges.
A year ago, the College’s Center for ActiveWV set out to empower communities through a statewide initiative to create opportunities for physical activity. Access to outdoor recreation is a valuable tool to boost immune systems and manage stress.
The mini-grant program, funded by the West Virginia Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease, was launched in 2019 with the goal of improving the lives of West Virginians through increased access to recreational exercise opportunities.
Now in the second year of funding, the Center for ActiveWV awarded 15 community grants worth up to $5,000 for projects to improve pedestrian and bicycling infrastructure in communities, schools and health centers across West Virginia.
"It's impressive to see innovative projects,” Sam Zizzi, Dr. Pat Fehl Endowed Professor and CPASS co-director of the Center for ActiveWV, said. “These efforts recognized the importance of walking and other forms of outdoor recreation while families are stuck indoors working and schooling from home."
The team’s efforts will continue to focus on creating opportunities for physical activity with a focus on policy, systems and environment changes and health equity.
"Living during COVID-19 is more stressful than normal. We believe that these projects are especially important for West Virginia citizens because of the ample evidence that supports regular physical activity improves mental health and reduces stress," Zizzi added.
“The mission of the Center for ActiveWV is to successfully impact a physically active culture in West Virginia through collaboration, research, policy and practice,” Eloise Elliott, Ware Distinguished Professor at CPASS and director of the Center, said. “We are pleased to have this opportunity to collaborate with the Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease in the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health to help communities throughout West Virginia promote physical activity.”
Local partners have developed creative programs to overcome the state’s health-related barriers.
Sabrina McKinney, director of nursing at the Rainelle Medical Center, said, “This funding will assist us to promote our ‘Wellness Works’ program to our service areas. We would like to make the first prescription for chronic illness or pre-diabetes, and obesity will also be a prescription for exercise.” And she added, “Funds will be used to enhance a walking trail at a local roadside park. We’ll also hold Motion Bingo sessions for those who are unable to walk, teaching them to use resistance bands and other forms of exercise.”
In Monongalia County, active pathways have been a unique way to get kids moving. “We are excited to offer activity paths at all our county elementary schools, as well as with our community partners at locations like The Shack Neighborhood House, local parks and the Boys and Girls Club,” Becca Fint-Clark, WVU Extension Service agent in Monongalia County, stated.
“These paths create a fun and interactive way for youth to be physically active. The paths are painted in an area where youth can access them and encourage various physical tasks, like tiptoe, march, balance, jump, crab walk and others. It is a great feeling to offer something useful and fun that promotes physical activity in schools and community sites, as well as for families visiting parks,” Fint-Clark added.
The 15 community grants for 2021 will help fund the following projects:
ACCESS WV
Develop a trail system that integrates all existing trails, both public and private access in Wayne County, including an access point for canoeing and kayaking along Twelvepole Creek.
Camp Virgil Tate
Improve a natural outdoor play space at the camp in Sissonville and print maps of local walking trails.
Cranberry-Prosperity Elementary
Create a walking track surrounding the school playground that can be accessed during and after school and will also provide physical activity opportunities for the Beckley area.
Monongalia River Trails Conservancy
Restore the trail from damage caused by grass encroachment and washouts on 5-mile section of the Mon River-Trail from mile marker 19 at Little Falls Road in Marion County to the Opekiska Lock and Dam in Monongalia County.
Moundsville
Improve the walking trail in the city by constructing a blacktop activity area with painted active pathways.
Nitro
Install four interactive areas along a fully ADA-compliant trail linking Nitro Elementary to Ridenour Lake.
Pocahontas County Parks and Recreation
Build two loops of a “pump track” in Stillwell Park in Marlinton. Loops will link with a bicycle playground for beginners.
Preston County Parks and Recreation Commission
Install a NatureRock Boulder at the Kingwood Trailhead Park, encouraging and allowing children to experience rock climbing and bouldering in a safe, controlled setting.
Rainelle Medical Center
Enhance a walking trail through structural improvements and signage at Meadow River Watershed Roadside Park; healthcare providers will use it for patient referrals to the Wellness Works program.
Sutton Elementary School
Improve the school’s physical education program through equipment upgrades and virtual instructional lessons to meet national educational standards.
Wardensville
Create a walking tour map of downtown that highlights local history and directs walkers to local art installations.
West Virginia Land Trust
Improve signage on the Yellow Creek National Area for trail entry and exit points, as well as trail markers and maps along the Heart of the Highlands Trail System.
University Healthcare Foundation
Complete and improve walking/biking trail at P.O. Faulkner Park in Martinsburg through trail development and installation of benches and signage.
Williamson Health and Wellness Center, Inc.
Improve walking trails at five locations in Mingo County, provide signage for wellness coaches at eight schools and link federally qualified health center patients to physical activity in their community.
WVU Monongalia County Extension Services
Create active pathways that encourage youth to be active in outdoor settings at locations across the county and train physical educators and facility managers on how to use the active pathways.