NEWS RELEASE – May 4, 2010
Wake Mayors Commit to National Physical Activity Plan
Rocky Branch Greenway at NC State to be Site of Signing Ceremony
Join Advocates for Health in Action and North Carolina State University partners on May 5, 2010 as Wake County mayors formally sign proclamations adopting the National Physical Activity Plan .
The 2 p.m. event will also introduce the new Rocky Branch Greenway and the new Wake County Community Asset Map . Mayors Russell Killen of Knightdale, Ronnie Williams of Garner, Charles Meeker of Raleigh and mayors from other Wake County municipalities will sign the National Physical Activity Plan, a commitment to promoting physical activity among Wake County residents.
Advocates for Health in Action is a collaborative of 50 organizations whose mission is for Wake County to be a “community where healthful eating and physical activity are the way of life.” Following the signing, the mayors, who will be wearing tennis shoes, will tour the greenway with Sig Hutchinson, a greenways supporter.
Barbara Doll, water quality specialist for North Carolina Sea Grant led the Rocky Branch Stream Restoration and Greenway Project, a 10-year effort on the university campus.
Charlynne Smith, a research associate with the Recreation Resources Service and a doctoral student in the Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management at NC State put her geographic information science knowledge and mapping expertise to work this past year to develop a spatial database to display a community asset map for Wake County.
The result? A comprehensive interactive map and GIS database of trails, greenways, parks, sidewalks and schools in the county that showcases the opportunities for physical activity and healthful eating choices available to the community. Recently, area teens used Smith's tool to display data they collected about the availability of healthful foods in their community.
Going forward, AHA partners and others will use the tool to identify opportunity gaps as they create an advocacy agenda to help shape the community.
Funding for the project was provided by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation.
Attend the Kickoff – Wednesday, May 5 at 2 p.m.
The Rocky Branch Greenway is located between Western Boulevard and Hillsborough Street, with the event to be held off Dan Allen Drive, near the NC State Student Health Services. Consider walking or cycling to join the event. Public parking is available with a credit card at Dan Allen parking deck near Hillsborough Street. Look for signage the day of the event for parking and event location.