Lessons from a Health-Recreation Partnership to Improve Community Walkability ( symposia )

Abstract

Background Communities ChooseWell is a free provincial program that works with communities to strengthen local action to foster healthy eating and active living for all Albertans, using recreation and parks as a catalyst. Community champions can access tools and information, learning opportunities, funding, recognition, staff support, and a network of community wellness champions. The program was launched in 2005 by the Government of Alberta and now more than 200 communities participate each year. Program Description In 2014 Communities ChooseWell evolved from its community winter walking challenge and began working with Alberta Health Services’ WalkABle Alberta program to support communities to not only promote walking, but to create community environments that enable walking. Interested communities participate in a workshop facilitated by the WalkABle Alberta coordinator in which they develop an action plan to improve walkability. They then apply for seed grants through ChooseWell ranging from $2500-$5000 each to support implementation of their ideas. Over the past three years, eight ChooseWell communities have been supported to enhance walkability. Outcomes Inter-sectoral collaboration is important in community wellness initiatives. The partnership between Communities ChooseWell (recreation) and WalkABle (health) improved exposure of WalkABle as well as support for communities to address walkability by leveraging each program’s unique resources and expertise while avoiding duplication. At the community level, WalkABle was a catalyst for engaging diverse community stakeholders, including municipal governments. The need for ample time to engage stakeholders and to support communities in this process was apparent. Engagement and buy-in from local governments was an important factor to communities’ ability to take action on workshop recommendations given the control governments have over the local physical environment. Process is as important as product! Finally, the asset-based approach of WalkABle enables communities to build on existing resources to improve walkability. Implications Inter-sectoral collaboration is important for community wellness initiatives as they reduce duplication, enable more effective use of strengths and resources and foster greater engagement. Ensuring adequate time to effectively engage key stakeholders including municipal governments and utilizing an asset-based approach that celebrates and builds on existing resources and relationships are critical to supporting community walkability initiatives.