News Release – November 30, 2009
Charlynne Smith, GIS research associate with the Recreation Resources Service at NC State and a graduate of NC State's Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management program put her geographic information science knowledge and mapping expertise to work recently as part of a partnership with Advocates for Health in Action.
In a project funded through the Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation, Smith developed a community asset map for Wake County.
The purpose of the interactive map is to show existing infrastructure that provides opportunity for physical activity and healthful eating choices. The mapping tool developed by Smith was used by area teens to display data they collected about the availability of healthful foods in their community.
“The students are excited about learning to use geospatial technology and that the information collected adds value to our spatial database." according to Smith. "One goal of the project is to improve awareness of and access to affordable healthful food and physical activity for children and families in Wake County. By using mapping technology to identify the distribution of current assets, plus the added student evaluation of those assets, we are helping the partnership better design an advocacy agenda and the students are making an impact to improve their community.”
At least 30 North Carolina teenagers are involved in the current project, including 4-H teams in Wake Forest, downtown Raleigh and northern Wake County, in addition to Fuquay-Varina.
To collect the data, teams of teens fanned out, armed with GPS devices and a survey to assess healthful food items in the stores. Users will be able to click on numbered locations, and see a picture of the store and a rating of its healthy selections.
The first phase of the map was unveiled in on November 21, 2009. Additional features, including trails, parks and recreational sites, will be added later. All will be available to the public at the advocacy group's Web site at www.advocatesforhealthinaction.com.
Read the recent article about the project in the News and Observer
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