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5th Annual Weitzman Symposium: Let’s Get MovingJune 10, 2010
Shape Up Somerville:Shape Up Somerville: City on the MoveCity on the Move
5th Annual Weitzman SymposiumLet’s Get Moving:
Innovations and Outcomes in Obesity Prevention and TreatmentJune 10, 2010
Joseph A. Curtatone, MayorSomerville, Massachusetts
Who we areSomerville Demographics
Population 78,000Race/Ethnicity
African American 7%Hispanic 9%Asian 6%
Density 18,780 residents/mi2 Open Space 5.37%Per Capita Income $23,628Poverty Rate 12%Speak language other than English 36%Main languages: English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Portuguese
5th Annual Weitzman Symposium: Let’s Get MovingJune 10, 2010
Shape Up Somerville
Shape Up Somerville is a city wide campaign to increase daily physical activity and healthy eating through programming, physical infrastructure improvements, and policy work. The campaign targets all segments of our community, including schools, city government, civic organizations, community groups, businesses, and other people who live, work, and play in Somerville.
5th Annual Weitzman Symposium: Let’s Get MovingJune 10, 2010
Why Shape Up Somerville?
•Sound public policy
•Governing with a long term vision
•Healthy communities are productive communities
•Improved quality of life for all residents
•Reduced health care costs
5th Annual Weitzman Symposium: Let’s Get MovingJune 10, 2010
Community Based Intervention:• Engaged 90 teachers in 100% of 1-3 grade classrooms • Participated in or conducted 100 community events• Trained 50 medical professionals (MDs, RNs)• Recruited 21 restaurants • Educated 811 families through 9 parent newsletters• Reached 353 community partners through 6 community
newsletters • Reached over 20,000 community members through a
monthly media piece (11 months) • Recruited every community-based after-school program (14) • Developed community-wide policies to promote and sustain
change
5th Annual Weitzman Symposium: Let’s Get MovingJune 10, 2010
Measuring Our SuccessI. First Year Results:
• In 2003, 46% of Somerville’s 1st-3rd grade students were overweight, or at risk of becoming overweight.
• On average, SUS reduced approximately one pound of weight gain over eight months for an eight-year-old child.
II. Somerville Middle School Students 2003-2007• Moderate physical activity increased from
18% to 27% • 2 hours or less each day spent watching
TV or videos increased from 54% to 61%
II. Somerville High School Students 2004-2006• Moderate physical activity increased
from 16% to 21% • Vigorous physical activity increased from 48% to 54%
5th Annual Weitzman Symposium: Let’s Get MovingJune 10, 2010
Comprehensive Plan:
What is a comprehensive plan?
A vision of what a community wants to become and the steps needed to achieve that vision.
Rooted in factual current and historical data.
Requires cornerstone components, established in Massachusetts General Law.
Includes an extensive process of community involvement that will shape the Plan and put it into action.
The Comprehensive Plan:Analysis of Trends
Vision for the FutureGuidance/Direction/Protection
5th Annual Weitzman Symposium: Let’s Get MovingJune 10, 2010
Transportation Challenges• Lack of Rapid Transit – three commuter rail lines and two transit lines divide Somerville, but only one stop is located within city limits
• Transportation Infrastructure as a Barrier – Two raised highways, heavy rail, and a maintenance facility divide the city.
• Congestion – dense network of streets and residential neighborhoods leads to overburdened key intersections and business districts.
5th Annual Weitzman Symposium: Let’s Get MovingJune 10, 2010
Transportation Improvements: Transit• Seven New Green Line Stops – two located within economic development sites; five integrated into neighborhoods.
• Assembly Square Orange Line Stop – will serve largest smart growth, mixed use project on eastern seaboard.
• Dramatically Increased Access – 85% of city will be within ½ mile of rapid transit and bus service will be realigned to complement rail stations.
5th Annual Weitzman Symposium: Let’s Get MovingJune 10, 2010
Transportation Improvements: Infrastructure
Community Path Extension - combined pedestrian/bike path will run length of city along Green Line rail.
Traffic Calming - raised intersections. bumpouts, and improved signage.
Bike Lanes - developing cross-town grid
Major Roadway Projects - feature reduced travel lanes, expanded sidewalks, increased tree canopy, and street furniture.
5th Annual Weitzman Symposium: Let’s Get MovingJune 10, 2010
Redeveloping for Smart Growth: Assembly on the Mystic
Future Main Street in Assembly Square
Future Mystic River Park / Esplanade
• 66 acre brownfield site• 2,100 Residential Units• 1.75 M Square Feet of Office• 1.07 M Square Feet of Retail• River Front Park• Bike Path and Ped Amenities • Orange Line Transit Station
5th Annual Weitzman Symposium: Let’s Get MovingJune 10, 2010
Planning for Smart Growth: Union Square
Building a foundation for Smart Growth
Zoning Upgrade•Increased density around proposed Green Line transit station •Incentives for Green Buildings•Requirement for Usable Open Space•Design Standards that support Pedestrian Oriented first floors
Transportation Study (on going) •Expand Public Plaza•Promote walkability with wider sidewalks•Bike lanes and bike amenities
5th Annual Weitzman Symposium: Let’s Get MovingJune 10, 2010
Built Environment:Open Space and Recreation
Somerville’s Public Parks & Open Spaces are Intensely Used.
• The City of Somerville is 4.1 square miles.
• Total public open space is 141 acres or 5.37% of the city.
• Only 45% (63.52 acres) of the public open space is owned by the City of Somerville. This includes parks, school playgrounds, fields, cemeteries, and other open space lots
• The City manages 46 parks, playgrounds, and ball fields for residents
5th Annual Weitzman Symposium: Let’s Get MovingJune 10, 2010
Built Environment:Open Space and Recreation
WHAT: Five-year strategic action plan on record with MA Division of Conservation Services
WHY: Used to secure certain state grants, and serves as a public record of City open space data, goals, and strategic vision
5th Annual Weitzman Symposium: Let’s Get MovingJune 10, 2010
Built Environment: Open Space and Recreation
Open Space and Recreation Plan Goals
•Renovate existing parks and open spaces to improve condition of Somerville’s recreational areas and ensure attractive, safe, and accessible public lands.
•Secure more land to expand Somerville’s total open space acreage and ensure access to open space in every neighborhood.
•Analyze and improve access for persons with disabilities to parks and open space, as part of ongoing ADA compliance.
•Increase tree canopy and green spaces to promote urban health and sustainability, and reduce the heat island effect.
•Increase Off-Leash Recreational Area (OLRA) opportunities throughout the city, and create a new skate park.
•Raise the bar for sustainable design and building practices in city parks and open space projects.
•Reduce brownfields and convert to more desirable uses.
•Improve accountability and set departmental vision through a series of strategic planning documents.
5th Annual Weitzman Symposium: Let’s Get MovingJune 10, 2010
Cycle Kids: Bike Safety and Education
Cycle Kids
•2010 pilot program in five elementary schools.
•All elementary schools will participate in 2011.
•Provides children with the skills and confidence to become lifetime cyclists. •Children learn how to ride a bike, road safety skills, bike mechanics and the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
5th Annual Weitzman Symposium: Let’s Get MovingJune 10, 2010
Healthy Foods In Our Schools
• School Food Service follows Massachusetts Action for Healthy Kids Guidelines. Emphasis on lean meats, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy.
• Produce is sourced locally when in season.
• No trans fat.
• No fryolators.
• No competitive foods or a la carte foods.
• No vending machines.
5th Annual Weitzman Symposium: Let’s Get MovingJune 10, 2010
Healthy Foods In Our SchoolsFour Somerville Schools Are Certified as
USDA HealthierUS Challenge Schools.Our schools are the only schools certified in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts!
5th Annual Weitzman Symposium: Let’s Get MovingJune 10, 2010
Healthy Foods In Our Community: Shape Up Approved Program
Shape Up Approved is a healthy restaurant program designed to help customers identify healthier options when eating away from home.
Healthy menu items receive the Shape Up Approved stamp of approval. Healthy meals follow the criteria listed below:
Leaner meatsWhole grainsFruits and vegetablesLow fat dairyHealthy cooking oils
Point of purchase signage encourages customers to take half of their meal home and to ask for healthy substitutions for their favorite dish.
5th Annual Weitzman Symposium: Let’s Get MovingJune 10, 2010
Healthy Foods In Our Community:Farmers’ Markets and Community Gardens
•Two summer markets
•9 CSA drop off sites
•Summer markets accept WIC coupons and will accept EBT/SNAP this year
•2011 Winter Farmers’ Market
•8 Community Gardens
5th Annual Weitzman Symposium: Let’s Get MovingJune 10, 2010
Does a Policy and Environmental Approach Really Work?
Yes!
Research has found that if you create a healthier environment, healthier behavior will follow.
Here’s an example from Somerville:Researchers from the Institute for Community Health have found that proximity to recreational spaces in
Somerville increases the likelihood that middle school students will meet moderate and vigorous physical activity guidelines. The article, titled The role of recreational spaces in meeting physical activity recommendations
among middle school students, has been submitted to the Journal of Physical Activity and Health.
5th Annual Weitzman Symposium: Let’s Get MovingJune 10, 2010
Community Response
Here Are Examples of What We’ve Seen in Somerville:
Renovated Parks
Street Upgrades + Bike Safety & Education
Access to Healthy Foods
5th Annual Weitzman Symposium: Let’s Get MovingJune 10, 2010
• Strong and committed leadership at department, executive, elected, and community levels
• Proven commitment to evaluation processes, reporting, and using data to make decisions
• Demonstrated experience in working with racial, ethnic and socio-economic diversity in Somerville
• Small and walkable city• Innovative and supportive academic, health
care, and business partners
How we’ve done it
5th Annual Weitzman Symposium: Let’s Get MovingJune 10, 2010
How we’ve done it: Program Team and Key Partners
5th Annual Weitzman Symposium: Let’s Get MovingJune 10, 2010
“ What's going on there in schools and homes all over the city is nothing short of a revolution. ”
– ABC News
The Power of Partnership: Shape Up Somerville Steering Committee
“ What's going on there in schools
and homes all over the
city is nothing
short of a revolution.
”
– ABC News
Mayor Curtatone (Chair)Community Action Agency of SomervilleEast Somerville Main StreetsGreen Streets InitiativeGroundwork SomervilleInstitute for Community HealthMass Farmers’ MarketsMetro Pedal PowerSomerville Board of AldermenSomerville Board of HealthSomerville Chamber of CommerceSomerville Communications DepartmentSomerville Community CorporationSomerville Community Health AgendaSomerville Department of Public WorksSomerville Health DepartmentSomerville Local FirstSomerville Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development
Somerville Police DepartmentSomerville Public SchoolsSomerville Physical Education DepartmentSomerville Recreation DepartmentSomerville School CommitteeSomerville School Food ServiceSomerville School NursesSomerville SomerStat DepartmentSomerville Traffic and Parking DepartmentSomerville Transportation Equity PartnershipSomerville WICSomerville Youth DepartmentState Representative Denise ProvostThe Welcome ProjectTufts UniversityUnion Square Main StreetsWalkBoston
5th Annual Weitzman Symposium: Let’s Get MovingJune 10, 2010
Shape Up Somerville:Major Sources of Funding
•Federal Grants
•State Grants
•The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Active Living by Design
•Tufts University and the CDC (2002-2005)
5th Annual Weitzman Symposium: Let’s Get MovingJune 10, 2010
Let’s Move!
•Four Pillars: Healthy Choices, Healthier Schools, Physical Activity, Access to Affordable and Healthy Food
•Based on Shape Up Somerville model
•We’re all in this together
•So Let’s Move!
5th Annual Weitzman Symposium: Let’s Get MovingJune 10, 2010