Published 12/06/07

Marysville Healthy Communities Project earns 2007 Community Collaboration Award

The Marysville Healthy Communities Project was recently honored with a 2007 Community Collaboration Award by the Human Services Council of Snohomish County.

The city’s Healthy Communities Project was among four initiatives around Snohomish County recognized at the 22nd Annual “Community Alliances” Partnerships Forum at the Holiday Inn of Everett. A second Marysville group honoree, the Marysville Youth Action Network (MYAN), received the youth collaboration award for engaging young people in the community in productive, meaningful ways.

The Snohomish Health District, which oversees the Healthy Communities program, selected Marysville as the county’s pilot site. Healthy Communities is aimed at creating a community that supports increased physical activity and improved nutrition for all residents.

As a result of the leadership and planning teams’ oversight, recruitment efforts and personal involvement, more than 50 members representing 36 different groups, business and organizations have celebrated significant achievements.

A community audit process has been developed to identify environmental strengths and barriers to good nutrition and adequate physical activity. Based on the audit, Marysville’s Nutrition and Physical Activity action plan focuses on three main objectives relating to policy and environmental changes.

Marysville Parks and Recreation Director Jim Ballew reported that the program’s objectives are to:

• increase the number of active community environments by creating a more walkable, bikeable, pedestrian-friendly community
• increase access to help promoting food through the food bank, community gardens, school lunches, senior meal sites and menu labeling; and
• increase the number of people who have access to low cost or free recreation opportunities such as an adopt-a-park program, intramural sports programs, and activity courses in parks and community centers.

Dr. Gary Goldbaum, director of Snohomish Health District, said, “The Marysville residents who served on the Healthy Communities advisory team accepted a huge challenge–to create a healthier hometown in thought, place, and action–and they are well on their way to making it happen.”

As a pilot project, the successes and lessons learned in Marysville will support Healthy Communities projects throughout Snohomish County. A second project has just begun in Lynnwood and a third site will soon be named.

In addition, Marysville’s interest in menu labeling calls for solutions that will impact all of Snohomish County, noted Eric Hatzenbuehler, health educator with the Snohomish Health District.

For more information about the Healthy Communities Project, visit the web site at www.marysvillehealthycommunitiesproject.com.

CAPTION: The Snohomish County Human Services Council 22nd Annual Partnerships Forum was held Nov. 15 at the Holiday Inn of Everett. Pictured from right (foreground): Marysville City Council members John Soriano and Carmen Rasmussen; Eric Hatzenbuehler, Health Educator, Snohomish Health District; Gail Miller, assistant superintendent, Marysville School District; Jim Ballew, Marysville Parks and Recreation director; Doug Buell, Marysville Community Information Officer; Kristin Kinnamon, Programs and Outreach, Community Transit; Ruby Barrus of KungFu4Kids; and Caroline Brown, Health and Fitness director, Marysville/North County YMCA.