DIANNE HOOVER: No excuses: Bakersfield offers abundance of healthy activities
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The city of Bakersfield, by adopting a City Council resolution on Jan. 11, officially became a "Healthy Eating, Active Living" city -- a HEAL city. Of the 10 most populated cities in California, only two, Sacramento and Bakersfield, have done so.
What is a HEAL city? The League of California Cities initiated a campaign to encourage California cities to adopt policies that promote healthy eating and active living throughout the community. Through several existing City Council policies, practices and adopted goals, the city of Bakersfield met much of the criteria set forth in the HEAL city campaign.
Recognizing that more than 50 percent of Bakersfield and Kern County adults are overweight or obese, and that 2010 data show that 43.8 percent of the area's children are overweight, a 5 percent increase in five years, the city is taking steps to slow down this trend. The City Council recognizes the serious health threats of obesity, such as shorter life spans, increased chances for diabetes, strokes and limited mobility.
Some of the existing policies, council goals, programs and ordinances that the City Council and city staff have taken to become a HEAL city include:
* A trails plan with pedestrian links to the Kern River and recreation facilities.
* A bicycle master plan that identifies current and planned bicycling facilities.
* In-fill policies to promote development of areas surrounded by existing urban infrastructure that include walkable areas.
* New sites that encourage mixed-use development with housing, recreation, jobs and open space to provide direct links for bicyclists and pedestrians.
* Recreation areas that promote active participation in outdoor pursuits.
* Street trees along sidewalks to encourage pedestrian and bicycle activity.
* Zoning districts that permit farmers gardens.
* Nutrition and healthy eating programs at the city's community centers.
* Recreation and learn-to-swim programs that are free or at a reduced cost to promote lifelong learning opportunities for a healthy life.
* Numerous special events that encourage family participation including runs, walks and bike rides, outdoor movies, family fun nights, and outdoor concerts.
These are just a few of the many initiatives available in the city of Bakersfield that promote healthy lifestyles. The city Recreation and Parks Department has more than 60 facilities where citizens can participate in healthy activities. From Solera Gardens Park in the far northeastern edge of the city to State Farm Sports Village in the southwest, the city's parks and facilities include sports parks, neighborhood parks, memorials and an outdoor education park along the Kern River. The Kern River Parkway is a 32-mile paved path that connects seven city parks, two county parks and one park in the North of the River Recreation and Parks District.
During a bike ride or a stroll along the path, you may see roadrunners, squirrels, rabbits, blue jays, kit foxes and an occasional coyote, among several other wildlife and waterfowl.
McMurtrey Aquatic Center is an outdoor pool open year-round for a variety of activities. Hundreds of residents have joined the 100 Mile Club, which provides incentives to swim laps and keep track as they add up quickly. In addition to lap swimming, you can learn to scuba-dive, fly-fish, participate in water aerobics or even water walking. If you don't know how to swim, we will teach you. In fact, the city recently won a national award for its Make A Splash program, which was funded through a grant from First 5 Kern. The Make A Splash program teaches children 5 and under and their parents how to be safe around water by learning to swim. Staff is also visiting classrooms to teach about water safety and what to do in emergency situations.
At the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Center, children actually learn how to grow a garden as well as the importance of nutrition in daily diets. In addition to the garden project, children are learning how to build and repair bicycles. Once they have learned and demonstrated all the skills necessary for bike repair, they get to keep the bike as their own. Through Bike Bakersfield, the Bakersfield Police Department and Snyder's Bicycles, hundreds of children have completed this program.
So, no more excuses. Get out and ride, walk, swim or play your way to better health. Join the Bakersfield City Council in making 2012 a year filled with healthy eating and active living for you and your family.
Dianne Hoover is director of the Bakersfield Recreation and Parks Department.
