Start a free-to-enter, gravel road bicycle race to make riding and racing more accessible.
Chris
Rochester, MN
Organize a challenge for students and the community to get children and families out and active.
Jim
Stewartville, MN
Have parents work with their local school to begin a healthy snack program.
Melanie
Byron, MN
I bring hula hoops to my local farmers market so kids can play and stay active. I've made more than twenty hoops and given them away to kids in my community. I will soon finish another batch of twenty or more hoops that I will donate to the neighborhood park.
Jeff
Minneapolis
Since the tornado there is more sun in North Minneapolis... Let's grow vegetables!!!
Julie
Minneapolis
Collaborate with other health seekers to find ways to energize and engage others to MOVE. Create opportunities for health that don't require dollars, but rather community space and organization.
DeeDra
North Mankato, MN
Get a group of my college friends together, head to the farmer's market on Saturday, and take turns hosting dinner with that food every week. Healthy food and healthy company can make a healthy community!
Marie
Madison, WI
Local restaurants should add a "Making It Better" healthy meal option to their menu! In the Peace Plaza an event could be held where these restaurants could allow Olmsted Co. residents to sample these healthy options!
Amy
Rochester, MN
Make an effort to use unused land in the city for community gardens.
Mary
St. Paul, MN
Continue to bring together individuals, organizations, businesses, schools and governments as collaborative partners to grow, process, distribute and enjoy locally-grown fresh foods through efforts such as Homegrown Minneapolis and Homegrown South.
Loris, founding partner, Homegrown South
Apple Valley, MN
Provide more services for those who are unable to leave their homes because of medical conditions, such monthly books from the library or help them get involved with hobbies.
Jennifer
New Hope, MIN
Volunteer in your own life! Dedicate time each week to take care of your health. Keep track of the time you have "volunteered" to give yourself a healthier life. Then get family and friends involved!
Denine
Plymouth, MN
Take a look around your neighborhood and see who needs help. Whether it is upkeep on a house or help doing a task. Small acts of kindness can keep a neighborhood strong.
Jason
Oakdale, MN
I think there should be more farmers markets and community gardens. This will lessen the burden of buying expensive, healthy food at grocery stores and encourage us to eat better more often!
Ashley
Minneapolis, MN
I think it would be a great thing to have restaurants offer better, healthier foods.
Eliana
Edina, MN
I would like to see Eyota offer a safety class at school before summer for elementary students on bike safety and grocery stores provide samples of healthy choices.
Shawn
Eyota, MN
Encourage local restaurants to use locally grown produce and meats by offering those restaurants government incentives. The financial benefits to the community in health costs (not to mention the benefit of the money staying local) will exceed the spend.
Janice
Rochester, MN
Create a "walking school bus" so kids can walk to school instead of taking the bus and allow them to be safe while making new friends. It will also create less pollution in our community.
Alyssa
Rochester, MN
I would like to see all businesses and insurance companies provide discounts to any and all gyms their employees use.
Sarah
Bloomington, MN
I would like to see a bike trail from Wanamingo to Zumbrota along Hwy 60.
Kerry
Wanamingo, MN
I think people shouldn't drive there vehicles on a nice day because if everyone starts biking, walking, rollerblading, etc. we will save gas and money, and the air wouldn't be polluted from the gas!
Hallie
Edina, MN
I think the farmers market should take place more often, such as both Saturday and Sunday. Or perhaps having one during the week. This would allow many more people to check it out and buy locally grown food!
Sara
Rochester, MN
I think unused land should be converted into bike trails to keep people active.
Alli
Chatfield, MN
I think restaurants should offer healthier food for our bodies and minds so we can stay active by eating right.
Lexi
Chatfield, MN
Outdoor fitness equipment for seniors placed in Central Park in Rochester between the Charter House and Central Towers. The park is not used for much but is centrally located for many seniors and the Senior Citizens Center.
Susan
Rochester, MN
I think the City of Rochester needs a roller rink. People of all ages would benefit from this exercise year-round.
Dawn
Rochester, MN
A skating park or a roller skating rink for the teenager so they have something to do for "fun" and better parks for the younger kids.
Tonya
Wabasha, MN
With all the bike trails around Rochester, I think it would be great to organize "Weekend on Wheels" and get kids/families out for a ride (stroller, bike, tricycle, roller skates, etc.) for exercise and community togetherness. If local farmers markets, grocery stores, or other small businesses donated fresh vegetables and bottled water to participants, it would be a fun (and healthy) alternative to sitting in front of the t.v.
Jill
Rochester, MN
Offer more family fun runs and 5Ks for the whole city. Make them fun with crazy costumes and themes. With something cool to run for, more families and people would want to participate.
Elyse
Rochester, MN
Talk to all my friends in the LGBTQ community about resources to help them stop smoking.
Bobby
Minneapolis
Put up signs that tell people how many calories they will burn for doing something active (i.e. climb these stairs, burn 45 calories or walk across the bridge and back, 50 calories).
Beth
Minneapolis, MN
Start a monthly club, like a book club, where neighbors and friends gather to share healthy eating ideas and participate in fun exercise.
Becky
White Bear Lake, MN
Plant trees and native plants along walking paths. I would love to see more shaded walking paths in Rochester. A great way to exercise and see people in your community!
Kim
Rochester, MN
Create a "Walk for Nature" to raise awareness of how important our surroundings truly are. At the end, there could be healthy food choices available and an area to socialize to meet new people and grow closer as a community.
Jenna
Burnsville, MN
Community wide walking groups. Get the young, old, families and singles to walk together to foster better communications.
Robert
Minneapolis, MN
Teach kids how to prepare healthy meals at home.
Marilyn
Fridley, MN
Join a team for the 2012 Health Challenge -www.2012healthchallenge.com!
Doug
Rochester, MN
Celebrate our city! Encourage children, adults and people of different backgrounds to actively participate and try different activities. This is why Minneapolis is great!
Elsi
Minneapolis, MN
Build walk paths for safe access from vehicles.
Marbelene
Cambridge, MN
Have music at the local park. An outdoor sing-a-long style for family fun or maybe a campfire with guitar sing-a-long.
Laura
Minneapolis, MN
Create an exercise group - people who want to get together, exercise and motivate each other!
Shel
Minneapolis, MN
Creating Healthier Communities
What does it take to make our communities healthier? YOU!
This community is yours for the shaping. What we do and create today can endure, setting a course for what happens tomorrow. The more access to healthy foods and physical activity a community has, the healthier it is. Easy? Not always. But it’s certainly possible.
Making It Better focuses on three primary areas where healthy changes are taking place – neighborhoods, schools and the workplace, and each of us can make a difference. What can you add? Lots. This community needs every voice.
Check out some of the ideas that have been shared, think of some of your own, and then see what you can make happen where you live, work, learn or play!
