Agenda - 12-06-2004-5i - Laserfiche WebLink

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2. Statement of Need Seniors are one of the fastest growing populations in Orange County and are at greater risk for chronic diseases. Physical activity is a critical part of a healthy lifestyle. The Division of Aging and Adult Services, - NC Departrnent of Health and Human Services, recognizes this and, has identified health/welhress and fitness as a component of a new senior-friendly commwrity initiative. Orange County is in the early stages of plamring a senior center to be located at the Southern Human Services Center Complex in Chapel Hill that is near Homestead Community Park, a community park with walking paths. In recent completed surveys (117) and public forums attended by approximately 150 older adults regazding construction of a new senior center in Orange County, older adults advocated for more outdoor activities i,e. walking paths, tennis courts, and gazdening, Survey respondents ranked the ideas of fitness and wellness as number 1 and number 3 out of a possible top ten priorities for the new senior center.. While walking is not the only path to address the need and desire for outdoor fitness, it is certainly recognized by a growing number of seniors and many health care professionals as one of the best forms of daily exercise. Currently there are a number of'obstacles that inhibit safe travel to the park and local businesses. They include safely crossing Homestead Road to get to the park (with hazards including speeding high-school students coming from Chapel Hill High off' Seawell School Rd) and finding a continuous linked pedestrian network to walk along.. At a number of points, the sidewalk dead ends abruptly as it passes from one development to another in the area around the park. By advocating for changes to improve the walkability of the area, the Active Seniors Project could potentially benefit seniors, employees of the Southern Human Services Complex, residents of the Brookstone apartments and other community members. 3. Collaboration and Capacity The project will bring together public health educators fiom the Orange County Health Department, senior services professionals from the Orange County Depaztment on Aging and the Triangle .1 Area Agency on Aging, local senior advocates wlro are helping to plan the design for the new senior center, and land use plamrers from the Triangle Council of Governments. In so doing, the resulting Active Seniors Project Team will have a greater opportunity to promote physical activity in the neighborhood surrounding the planned new Senior Center located on Homestead Road.. Members from the Project Team will solicit input from their respective constituencies as the project progresses. Other key community leaders who will share in the planning of this project are the OC Advisory Board on Aging, and the Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation Commission.. The project team will work with existing local entities to gather the necessary information prior to formulating a pedestrian and bike assessment training tool and administer that to the surrounding community..