city, obd to host public meeting on community health april 13
March 30, 2010
OMAHA – What suggestions do you have for making Omaha a more active, safe and healthy community? Bring your opinions to South Omaha Tuesday, April 13, for a public meeting on community health. The event, which serves as the kickoff of Environment Omaha’s community health component – the last of five content areas, will be held from 6:30 to 8:00pm in the South Ballroom of the Livestock Exchange Building, 4920 S. 30th St.
Environment Omaha, launched by the City of Omaha and Omaha by Design in November 2008, is a new policy development initiative that’s creating a comprehensive environmental section for the city’s master plan. Environment Omaha is addressing five content areas – the natural environment, urban form and transportation, building construction, resource conservation and community health.
The guest speaker for the April 13 event is Mark Fenton, one of the nation’s foremost experts on walking and the host of “America’s Walking,” a new series on PBS. After earning BS and MS degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he worked as manager of research engineering at Reebok for three years. Fenton has become a vocal pedestrian advocate and recognized authority on public health issues and the need for community, environmental and public policy initiatives to encourage more walking and bicycling.
Fenton’s presentation will be followed by an information open house. Information stations pertaining to active communities, safe communities and healthy communities will be set up. City staff and members of Environment Omaha’s Community Health Advisory Committee will be available at each station to answer questions and record comments. The 32-member Community Health Advisory Committee is chaired by Mikki Frost, administrative director-healthier communities for Alegent Health.
Funding for Environment Omaha, which is receiving significant city staff and resource support, is provided by grants from the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency and the City of Omaha’s Stormwater Management Plan Program Grant from the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality.
Free on-site parking is available at the Livestock Exchange Building. Carpooling, walking, cycling or taking the bus are also encouraged. Metro Area Transit (MAT) Routes 7 and 13 provide evening service to the Metro College Transit Center just north of the Livestock Exchange Building. For more information on MAT routes and schedules, visit www.metroareatransit.com. For members of the public unable to attend the meeting, it will be webcast live on www.environmentomaha.com.
For more information, contact Omaha by Design at 402.554.4010 or info@omahabydesign.org.